Hi folks, didja miss me?  Last week's chat was canceled due to the Seattle
earthquake, and I was on vacation the week before that (thanks to Qasic for
filling in for me).  But I'm back with a whole slew of STS info and other
news from the Chat.  Let's get to it, shall we?


STS ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATION:
master_trainer_pat says, "Hi everybody! We have some good news to announce
this week."
master_trainer_mike says, "As you remember, last week's chat was canceled
due to too many Diglett's in the area"
master_trainer_pat says, "Everyone is ok after the little shake up we had
last Wednesday"
master_trainer_mike says, "You may have already noticed that we put a big
announcement up on the Pokegym"
master_trainer_mike says, "If not, check it out at
http://boards.wizards.com/pokegym <http://boards.wizards.com/pokegym> "
master_trainer_mike says, "It tells you all about the upcoming East Coast
STS."
master_trainer_mike says, "Here are some of the highlights (if you haven't
seen it yet)."
master_trainer_pat says, "We want to thank everyone of you that sent
e-mail/called to voice their comments about the 15+ issue, we will reply to
each of you as quickly as possible. Sorry about the delay."
master_trainer_mike says, "STS EVENT STRUCTURE"
master_trainer_mike says, "Ash's Honor Championship - The Championship
division for players 10 and younger. A nurturing tournament environment that
will help players hone skills and follow the path of good sporting
behavior."
master_trainer_mike says, "Rocket's Foolproof Plan Championship - The
Championship division for players 14 and younger. A challenging and engaging
environment that will test players' skills to rise to the challenges of
competitive play. This event will crown an STS Champion."
master_trainer_mike says, "Professor Oak's Revenge Championship - The
Championship division for players of 15 years or older. The seniors of the
Pokemon TCG world get to show off their skills and rise to be acknowledged
as mentors of play. This event will crown a Master Professor Champion."
master_trainer_mike says, "STS East League Zone will feature the following
four new Gyms. Be sure to bring the right cards so you can take on these new
challenges!:"
master_trainer_mike says, "Metal Gym - Decks must contain at least 4 Metal
Pokemon."
master_trainer_mike says, "Darkness Gym - Decks must contain 8 Pokemon of
the following types:"
master_trainer_mike says, "- Darkness Pokemon"
master_trainer_mike says, "- Dark Pokemon (from the Team Rocket expansion)"
master_trainer_mike says, "Baby Gym - Decks must contain 8 Baby Pokemon."
master_trainer_mike says, "Pokemon Tools Gym - Decks must contain 8 Pokemon
Tools."
master_trainer_mike says, "We are also working on setting up some
interactive Pokemon monument building for you as well, details to come
soon!!!"
master_trainer_pat says, "Everyone will be able to help put it together at
the STS, hopefully.."
master_trainer_pat says, "(crosses fingers)"
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok, on with the show!"

/// 15+ ///
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #18 from
professormaple:
What do trainers 15+ need to do to qualify/register for the 2001 ECSTS?
master_trainer_mike says, "just the will to come and play!!!"
master_trainer_pat says, "We will be doing the pre-registration here again
before the event. So all you'll have to do is that."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #22 from oldman_405:
Thanks to all MT's there for your support in getting a 15+ division.
Disappointed in no free trip but I probably wouldn't win anyway
master_trainer_pat says, "Well, thanks to you for the supportive e-mail and
calls"
master_trainer_mike says, "Unfortunately we do have limited budgets and want
to help the players that can't make normally pay their own way."
master_trainer_pat says, "We just couldn't make the trips happen for 15 and
up."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #38 from nookiemn2k3:
what about the qualifiers for the 15+ ?
master_trainer_mike says, "There aren't any as ANYONE can participate at the
STS. They aren't really qualifiers as much as they are an opportunity for
the younger players to try some competitive play before the STS and try and
win a trip to it."
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be open age events at most QT stops
for other cool prizes (just no trips)."


/// QUALIFIERS ///
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #57 from oldman_405:
any details on mall places & dates yet?
master_trainer_pat says, "Nothing else new yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #93 from
dark_pokejess:
When will you have a list of the qualifier stops?
master_trainer_mike says, "Should be up on the web site soon (hopefully)."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #28 from
shadowcat_2k4:
what are the STS qualifiers? and why are they so important?
master_trainer_mike says, "They are events held throughout North America
that have tournaments at them for 10 and under, and 14 and under with the
chance to win a trip to the STS. There will also be open age events with
other prizes at these QT's as well!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #49 from gurtman:
Which "3 participants" will receive trip packages? (ie: how can there be a
top 3 if it is run the same as last year)
master_trainer_mike says, "The top player in the 10 and under wins one and
the top 2 participants in the 14 and under win a trip."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #94 from
pocketalmonster:
For the prize package do we get 1 or 2 airfare tickets?
master_trainer_mike says, "1 for yourself and 1 for a parent or guardian."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #144 from sanochu64:
If and when there is another STS problt WC will 15+ be able to qualify if
you have any idea??
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok lets be clear about this. NO ONE needs to
qualify for the STS, ANYONE can show up and play. The QT's just give the
younger players a chance to earn a trip so they can go. It is harder for an
11 year old to pay to fly than it is for an adult. This will probably remain
the same for future tours."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #241 from
dugtrio1951:
How many decks can you use throughout the Qualifiers? Just one, or as many
as you'd like?
master_trainer_mike says, "One each time you enter"


/// FORMATS ///
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #25 from
crazy_nut_man:
Is it true that T15/3c will take into count in the east-sts??
master_trainer_pat says, "Nope. We're working on a new super secret format
for the East Coast STS"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #64 from mwsmagmar:
So, can you give us any details on Ash's Honor Championship, or Rocket's
Foolproof Plan Championship, or Professor Oak's Revenge Championship
formats?
master_trainer_mike says, "They will all have the same format AND we can't
tell you yet :)"
master_trainer_pat says, "(raising right hand) We will not divulge any info
about the formats before it's time."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #170 from
dark_pokejess:
If you wont tell us the formats, then how are we supposed to make a deck for
it? Will they be told at a reasonable time before the tourneys?
master_trainer_mike says, "We will tell you in enough time, probably near
May 1st or so."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #36 from chrisbo:
For the STS side events (Darkness Gym, Baby Gym, etc.), do you have to have
"exactly 8", or "at least 8" pokemon that meet the criteria?
master_trainer_pat says, "At least 8."


/// MISC ///
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #252 from
royalcharizard:
I'm confused about the 2-day structure of the STS. Which day will the actual
tourney be on?
master_trainer_mike says, "there will be a full tournament on EACH day! With
winners for EACH day! So 2 tournaments for you to play in!!!!"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #37 from
earthbound410:
So let me get this straight, it's not an ongoing weekend tournament like
Magic Pro Tour, but more like the STSQ where it's two separate tournaments
per age division for the weekend?
master_trainer_pat says, "Right."
master_trainer_mike says, "Correct :)"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #82 from
pocketalmonster:
How many rounds of swiss are in the STS main event?
master_trainer_mike says, "Depends on the number of people that sign up."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #198 from
gymleaderphil_pojo:
Will you Check and require us to write down our deck for the STS and
Qualifiers? How about Random Deck Checks? It would help reduce cheating.
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be a deck verification for the STS."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #101 from
canadian_pkmn_master:
Will the same company be hosting the event as last Sts? (Same judges such as
Shawn and everyone)
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup, but we will have even more judges this
time."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #155 from
pocketalmonster:
Will STSQ be DCI?
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #157 from
pocketalmonster:
Will STS be DCI?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes they both will be."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #233 from
dark_pokejess:
So there is no minimum amount of badges to enter?
master_trainer_pat says, "no"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #32 from pikabruce:
Any word on whether there will be a special room rate for the STS or not?
master_trainer_mike says, "There should be but they STILL are working on it,
sorry, I will ask again for you."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #62 from
the_pikagurl:
Any new information about the West Coast STS
master_trainer_mike says, "Nothing yet except that its on the West Coast."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #70 from
phoenixaudubon:
Will the information for the ECSTS apply for the WCSTS, if there is one?
master_trainer_mike says, "Most of it should be similar."


PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #50 from
warlockmaster:
I was wondering, what are the cards that fill the gap of #'s 24-26? The #23
is a Zapdos from the 2nd movie, and 27 is the pikachu from the 2nd movie on
VHS/DVD, so what's #24-26?
master_trainer_pat says, "24 is B-day Pikachu, 25 is flying Pikachu (not out
yet) and 26 is another Pikachu."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #2 from crazy_nut_man:
So can u tell us what promo card #32-34 is??
master_trainer_pat says, "Well 34 is Entei"
master_trainer_mike says, "The rest...welll.....The truth is out there."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #8 from
turbocharizard:
What are promos 32, 33, and 35+ ?
master_trainer_pat says, "We can't let you in on those yet."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #78 from soslowpoke:
Is entei the only new movie promo?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, the other card inside will direct you to the
Leagues and the reverse holo Pichu you can get there"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #183 from
phoenixaudubon:
What IS a reverse holo card? How is it different from a normal holo?
master_trainer_pat says, "Look at a normal fire pokemon card."
master_trainer_pat says, "Then imagine all the red around the art is
holographic."
darkmt_mike says, "And the picture isn't."
master_trainer_pat says, "that's a reverse holo card."
master_trainer_pat says, "bing-o"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #181 from jdg6248:
Is promo pichu earned by point grid or activity?
master_trainer_pat says, "We aren't sure"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #76 from soslowpoke:
What will the promo be for the next league season?
master_trainer_mike says, "wait and see!!!"


"POKEMON X" (aka "TOURNAMENT SET"):

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #143 from bikabee22:
Do you what the name of the Pokemon X set will be called? Many call it Base
3, has that been taken into consideration?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes we do know what it is called but NO DONUTS
FOR US if we tell.................."
master_trainer_pat says, "Don't even joke about losing donut privileges"

Later,
- CHRISBO