Happy Holidays everyone tuning into this week’s First to Ten! I hope everyone had a good time at NEC this past weekend. For those who didn’t go we saw quite a variety of characters in top 8 which was hype to see including Hellboy, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and Black Manta.

I wanted to take this First to Ten to cover another woman in the scene who I admire. Meryluna is not only an incredible person, but a very talented player. She has clutched spots in top 8’s for Mortal Kombat X in Kombat Cup for more than one time. She has also placed top 8 at Defend the North 2017 and Summer Jam 2017 in MKX. Her ravenous Mileena is insane and not to be taken lightly. She also has some pretty amazing titans in Injustice 2 she plays. It’s only a matter of time before she shows her work she’s put in for Injustice 2. I felt it only appropriate to put her on this week.

Mery and I became friends from being in a group chat we were both in a while back. We first officially met in person at NEC last winter. We blossomed into a good friendship where as of today where we have even gotten to play casuals at a tournament and a bit online as well. We also just talk occasionally because she’s just honestly a sweetheart and enjoyable to talk to. Let’s get to it so she can share all the amazing things about herself with you.

1. Meryluna thank you for joining us! Please tell everyone a bit of a personal introduction like who you are, how you got your tag, and where you’re from.

Before anything, thank you for having me in your First to Ten. I think what you are doing here is amazing and great for people and it gives everyone an insight of other players in the scene. My tag at the moment is Meryluna, but deep down it will always be Merytrailmix. I was eating a bag of trail Mix one day and the name just popped into my head and i loved it.

2. What got you into playing fighting games competitively? What makes you choose a character?

As a gamer, I am naturally competitive. But when I found out that there was a Fighting Game Community, it opened a whole new world to me. I couldn’t believe that there was a whole community dedicated to fighting games and it motivated me to get so much better. I wanted to learn the fighting game language, frame data etc. When MKX came out, I attended these locals in StartupBox and I loved that feeling of playing against other people in tournament, especially with my character Mileena.

When I pick a character, I go for the aesthetic but I usually love the villains and non-human characters. I like to find something that I have in common with them and then I pretend to be that character while I’m fighting, it’s more fun that way.

3. What was your first top 8 and what kind of feelings did you have before and after playing it?

My first top 8 was in StreamMe’s Konquest, and honestly, I was happy and both disappointed. Happy because it was my first top 8 but I knew I could have done better. Sometimes that is my problem, I am a bit hard on myself after tournament matches. I try to tell myself to not be satisfied with how I do, so that way I motivate myself to perform better.

4. Do you feel the community treats you any different (good or bad) for being a woman? What advice would you give to women looking in?

I don’t feel they treat me different at all, and my advice to anyone trying to be a part of the scene is never get intimidated to lose or play poorly because we all start off as noobs sometime in our life. Be patient with yourself, we don’t always learn things at first. I tell people this all the time. Give yourself time to learn at your own pace. Trust me, you will definitely get better. Practice makes perfect.

5. What made you go with Ravenous for Mileena and not piercing? Was she always your main in MK?

When I first heard about Mileena being in MKX, I already knew she was going to be my main character. I tried all her variations but I loved Ravenous the most because of her pounces and how crazy her fighting style was. She also reminded me how Nitara played in MK: Deadly Alliance so I felt like it was a combination of the two characters.

6. What characters are you playing in Injustice 2 and what do you enjoy about them?

I currently play with Robin and Starfire. It’s hard to say which one is my main character because I play both of them equally. Robins sword animations are so nice to look at during combos, and I love his sound effects. Starfire’s appearance and animations are also what I enjoy most about playing her, I love anti-airing people with her B2, it’s so satisfying.

7. Do you go to any locals? How do you do at them and do you have anyone you feel is a rival to you there?

I have gone to NLBC several times but lately I haven’t been able to attend . I don’t really have any rivalries there but if I did, I feel it would make things more interesting, since I love competition. The last time I attended it was the second week after Injustice 2 was released. I had a set with someones Harley Quinn who kept beating my Robin. I was still new to the idea of not having a block button, and I barely knew any bnbs with him.

8. What other games do you play? Would you recommend any for those reading this?

Right now, I am currently obsessed with Overwatch. I used to be a Call of Duty fan all of my highschool years but when I started playing Overwatch, I instantly became hooked. It is such a stimulating game that I never get bored of. I recommend the game to anyone who likes FPS and games that require teamwork. I also recommend the The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. When I play that game, I feel like I am really inside the game, and the music is beautiful!!

9. You stream pretty often from what I see. What do you like about streaming fighting games most and how do the community of viewers you have make you feel?

What I like most about streaming fighting games is how the viewers are able to help you out with the game. When I streamed MKX, so many people would help me out with matchups and share advice on how to deal with other characters. It definitely helped me get better, so I’m very thankful to everyone that took the time to help me learn these things. That’s what I love most about the community, everyone just wants to get better and have fun in the process.

10. Lastly, what tournaments do you plan to attend in 2018?

I’ve never went to CEO and I heard it is one of the most fun events in the whole year so I’m going to pray that I am able to make it next time it comes. Of course, I will try to attend NEC and Summer Jam since they are the closest to New York if life allows me to.

If you would like to support and follow Mery you can do the following here:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/xomeryluna

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/xomeryluna

The local Mery goes to is always a blast to watch on stream. If you haven’t already, follow the twitter for NLBC and also feel free to check out their website:

NLBC Twitter

NLBC Website

I hope everyone in the FGC has a safe and happy holiday.

I am pleased to announce here first and later on twitter my video project. Many of you I have already contacted about submitting a video for it. The project is called Thank You NetherRealm. I need all video submissions by the 25th and will upload and post on the 31st or 1st. My goal is to ring in the new year with positivity for the NRS community. Together we can achieve this. If you would like to be a part, please record a horizontal video (<—–>) (please no vertical because it is not the format). You can use your mobile phone or any device to do so. The video needs to be no longer than 7 seconds (9 is cutting it close). You will say in the video “Thank you NetherRealm for….” and say something positive you are thankful for. Some examples of ones that have been said are:

“Thank you Netherrealm for creating my favorite game ever.”

“Thank you NetherRealm for creating my wifey Mileena.”

“Thank you NetherRealm for the constant updates you put in the game.”

If you have any questions feel free to ask. And if NetherRealm games have impacted your life in some way (MK or IJ etc.) feel free to make your video clip and send it my way.

Email all videos to: romanovacosplay@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for a fantastic new year. Can’t wait to see what happens with First to Ten going forward. I love you all and I am extremely humbled by your support.