Whoo-whee!!  It was a busy one today.  After a week off for the US-Thanksgiving holiday, this was the last opportunity to ask questions before the Super Trainer Showdown this weekend.  Lots of questions and the latest info can be found below.

Enjoy,

 - CHRISBO

P.S.  I will be participating as one of the judges at the event again (not sure which division yet); stop by and say "hello".

SUPER TRAINER SHOWDOWN:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #100 from

matthewssandslash:

Can Pokémon Center (The promo) be used at the STS? In Modified?

master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, it can."

master_trainer_mike says, "You can also use your base set Pokemon center

cards as well. The rule is if a card is allowed in a format, you can use

earlier versions of that card. So now you can use base set Pokemon Centers

in Modified because it is an earlier version of the promo card."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #113 from

crosstrainer:

Stop the presses! I can use Fossil Psyduck because there's a promo of it

also?

master_trainer_mike says, "Yes you can."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #167 from

generalraikou:

with the pokemon center....can you have 4 base set in your deck and would ya

need one of those promo ones outside your deck? =/

master_trainer_pat says, "You can have 4 in your deck, you don't need to

have one outside your deck."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #112 from soslowpoke:

Well if you allow versions of promos from early sets (like psyduck) to be

used in Modified, what's the point of bringing out a Promo Rainbow Energy?

master_trainer_pat says, "If we didn't release a promo Rainbow E. when we

rotate Rocket out of Modified you wouldn't be able to use that in your deck.

And we like Rainbow Energy don't we?"

[CHRISBO NOTE: In case you haven't heard yet, Rainbow Energy will be

available as a Promo during Season 1 of Pokemon League Year 3.  See

http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=season1

<http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=season1>  for more details.]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #147 from

crosstrainer:

This news about pre-Rocket Promo equivalents being allowed in the main event

is news to me. I've never even heard of a Pokemon Center promo! Besides that

and F. Psyduck, what other cards are there?

master_trainer_mike says, "The only other one so far is the LV 12 Sabrina's

Abra. But that card is still allowed so its not an issue yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #29 from

crosstrainer:

I already called and registered, is there a way I can double check? --

paranoid in central CA

master_trainer_mike says, "If you had called in and registered during the 2

months we gave you to do so, then you are fine."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #30 from soslowpoke:

when i called to register for the sts, they said they'd send me deck

registration forms and waivers- i never got them. I assume there will be

waivers on site on Friday?

master_trainer_mike says, "There will be waivers and deck lists available

for you at the event."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #39 from chrisbo:

Aren't the waivers & decklist forms still available on the website to be

printed out?

master_trainer_mike says, "Yes they are, thank you Chrisbo."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #138 from soslowpoke:

on saturday, what time should we be there at to play?

master_trainer_mike says, "You must check in between 7:30 and 9 am. The head

judge speaks at 9 am, you MUST be there by then or you will be dropped from

the tournament."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #64 from

the_mystery_thing:

ill be playing in the main tourney on sunday... when do i check in?

master_trainer_mike says, "you can either check in Friday night 7-9 at the

convention center or at the player hotel or each morning form 7:30 - 9 am."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #151 from mad_maxx:

Do we need a different deck list on both days or will you give use the

originals back?

master_trainer_mike says, "You will need to fill out a deck list for each

day."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #69 from

pokemonwarrior:

Can modify my deck after registration?

master_trainer_pat says, "No. Though you can register different decks for

each day. (one per day)"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #71 from

generalraikou:

hey i just checked the bye list as I'm [name removed] it has my byes listed

as 2 though I got second at a qualifier and won a trip to the WCSTS...so

shouldn't I get 3 byes? or is that list only based on your rating

master_trainer_mike says, "The bye list as written on the page is only based

upon your DCI ratings. If you won at a QT, you automatically have 3 byes."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #76 from

generalraikou:

how will i tell the people i want to use any of my byes at all?

master_trainer_mike says, "It is assumed that you will use them all if you

are there. There is absolutely NO reason to not do so."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #70 from

pokemonwarrior:

Will there be pokemon cards on sale at the WCSTS? If yes, will there be any

single cards sold?

master_trainer_pat says, "Yes and yes."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #80 from chrisbo:

As far as the merchandise booths, are they going to be run by WOTC or by an

independent vendor(s)?

master_trainer_pat says, "Independent vendors"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #81 from chrisbo:

Do you know if any of the Pokemon Center NYC exclusive stuff (like Pokemon

Mini) will be available for sale?

master_trainer_mike says, "I don't think any of that will be there."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #162 from mad_maxx:

Do we get dice for our randomizer? If so , will you sign them for us?

master_trainer_mike says, "Everyone will be given a die to use in the main

tournaments. You must either use that die OR you can use an electroflip

ONLY. No other dice or coins or other methods allowed in the main

tournaments. If we sign them, it becomes marked. Wait until after the event

and we can do so."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #14 from evilmewtwo1:

I am wondering about the dice that you will be handing out to the players

are they going to be opaque no see through. I am wondering this because it

would be easy to play with loaded dice.

master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, you can't see through them, they're pretty

cool standard heads/tails dice."

master_trainer_mike says, "spiffy!"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #165 from

the_mystery_thing:

electroflips will be there for sale, right? how much?

master_trainer_pat says, "I think one of the vendors will have them, yes. I

don't know how much they are though"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #77 from

pokemonwarrior:

What can you win in the main tourneys?

master_trainer_mike says, "Product, a medal, a jacket (they are cool too)."

master_trainer_pat says, "Don't we have a whole case of nacho flavored

Funyuns this year?"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #78 from

the_mystery_thing:

how long should each booster draft at the sts take?

master_trainer_mike says, "Depends on how well you do. Usually takes 60

minutes to draft and build your deck. Each round runs 30 minutes. It is

single elimination so if you lose the first round then you are done. If you

go all the way victory it could take almost 4 hours."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #79 from

crosstrainer:

Will the STS main event and/or any of the side events impact our DCI

ratings?

master_trainer_mike says, "Of course, they are all sanctioned events :)"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #83 from

pokemonwarrior:

How long is a round?

master_trainer_pat says, "30 minutes."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #82 from

pokemonwarrior:

How does the tourney work, will it call you in when it is your turn, and are

you eliminated after one defeat?

master_trainer_mike says, "The pairings for each round get posted 5-10

minutes before a round starts. Most of the tournaments are swiss which means

that you can play therough the whole event whether you win or lose, your

choice."

master_trainer_mike says, "It is only the Booster Drafts that are single

elimination."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #84 from

pokemonwarrior:

How many players are in the 15+ group?

master_trainer_pat says, "We know that more than 250 have registered, but

which day they come to compete on is up to them."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #85 from

the_mystery_thing:

what are the prizes for the booster drafts? (any guess at what ill be doing

all day saturday? 0:D)

master_trainer_mike says, "Well, the Booster drafts will bne using Gym

Heroes and Gym Challneg. Of ocurse you get to keep your cards and the prizes

will be Neo Revelation boosters."

master_trainer_mike says, "All details on side events are on our web site."

master_trainer_mike says, "Since these are sanctioned official events, make

sure you are aware that there is a small charge for each events."

master_trainer_mike says, "Again details on the web site."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #98 from

crosstrainer:

I do Erika's challenge every night (my wife is Erika). :o) Will the

non-booster draft events require deck lists too?

master_trainer_mike says, "I'm gonna tell your wife you said that! :)"

master_trainer_mike says, "You do not need deck lists for the side events."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #86 from crosstrainer:

What time do you think things will be wrapping up on Saturday night at the

STS?

master_trainer_pat says, "We hope to finish everything up by 8pm"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #128 from sd_pokemom:

approximately how late will the swiss rounds go each day? and how long will

the lunch break be?

master_trainer_mike says, "We hope to have the swiss hit the top 8 by 4-5pm.

The lunch breaks are 45 minutes long."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #132 from soslowpoke:

will all age groups have their lunch breaks at the same time?

master_trainer_mike says, "No, the 10 and under and the 15 and up will have

theirs at the same time. Then the 11-12 and the 13-14 will have theirs at

the same time."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #136 from soslowpoke:

do you know how much of a time difference there'll between the age group

lunch breaks?

master_trainer_mike says, "The youngest and oldest groups go first, once

they are done, then the middle age groups take theirs."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #131 from sd_pokemom:

will there be seating for spectators around the main tourney

area...especially around <10? (questions from League parents)

master_trainer_mike says, "Haven't seen the specific set up. There will be

pipe and drape separating the players form the spectators by 5 feet or so."

master_trainer_mike says, "There will be plenty of seating at the convention

center though."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #87 from sd_pokemom:

What are some of the "other" things that will be at the WCSTS? The Pika or

Lugia cars? Characters walking around for pictures? Will there be things for

non-playing younger siblings to do there? Thanks for any info :)

master_trainer_mike says, "There will be the create-a-card area. There will

be the photo area. There will be lots of fun trivia activities."

master_trainer_mike says, "Also Erika's Challenge."

master_trainer_mike says, "The cars won't be there. Not sure about costumed

characters."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #168 from mad_maxx:

Will there be any sculpture thingies we can contribute to?

master_trainer_mike says, "sorry, we have been too busy to do so this time,

the Space Weedle has retired."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #94 from

generalraikou:

will there be any tournaments for fun organized by the MT's or anything

after the tournies on saturday and sunday and will you be playing in the

morning before the actual main toruney begins? (since ill be at hotel

there...ill get there early and actually might be able to play and 0wn you

=/)

master_trainer_pat says, "We're not doing anything official(we need to sleep

too) though there will be lots of pick-up playing going on. One of the main

hotels for the players is going to have a full on tent open for after-hours

playing and such. They're going to have video games and all sorts of cool

things."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #108 from

crosstrainer:

Which main hotel will have the after hours stuff going on since I'm spending

the night in SD anyways?

master_trainer_mike says, "It's at the Regency, where the QT winners are

staying."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #150 from metzler555:

will mtm and pat and all you guys be at the sd convention center friday

night?

master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, for short Judge's meeting, there will not be

any game playing there that night."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #174 from sd_pokemom:

will anyone be posting updates to WizPoG on the WCSTS?

master_trainer_mike says, "Actually we will have live updates setup for you

on our web site. Check out the web site at

http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/event.asp?event=sd01

<http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/event.asp?event=sd01> . We have 3 fine

reporters (Purity and Echidna are 2 of them) and a onsite coordinator as

well as Monty here at the office putting up live updates. If you can't make

it there, you can watch and see what is happening on our website!"

POKEMON LEAGUE:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #45 from evilmewtwo1:

Any new info on league?

master_trainer_mike says, "Starts January 5th."

master_trainer_mike says, "Cool new stuff coming....might even here of some

of it being sanctioned :)"

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #88 from soslowpoke:

any promo in Mewtwo Returns on video?

master_trainer_pat says, "We just don't know."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #89 from

generalraikou:

will there be any other way to get those 2 promos that were given out at the

PC in NYC? (pokemon center, lucky stadium)

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #90 from

ninetales2000:

Will Pokemon Center/Lucky Stad. be released again later?

master_trainer_mike says, "They will be released later on in other ways. We

do not like to make cards too exclusive."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #109 from

ninetales2000:

Will the same 2 promos be rereleased? No changes? (i.e. pic)

master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, eventually."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #121 from

ninetales2000:

Will the promos be rereleased through something most can get?

master_trainer_mike says, "Don't know the specifics, but they will be much

more readily available."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #117 from

generalraikou:

promo rainbow energy? where do you get this =/

master_trainer_pat says, "It's not out yet, it will be one of the first

promos for the leagues next year."

[CHRISBO NOTE: See http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=season1

<http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=season1>  for more details about

the Rainbow Energy promo card (coming soon).]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #116 from

the_mystery_thing:

If rainbow is being promo-erized, any plans for doing the same to steel?

master_trainer_mike says, "dunno"