Well, the moment many of us have been waiting for has arrived. They have finally confirmed the format and location for the West Coast Super Trainer
Showdown (WCSTS). They also announced that there will be some pretty cool side-events and they will be DCI-Sanctioned as well! In addition, it sounds
like the release date for Neo: Revelations is starting to firm up a bit (but still not officially announced yet).
Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
SUPER TRAINER SHOWDOWN FORMAT ANNOUNCEMENT:
master_trainer_mike says, "So here is the big, fat announcement."
master_trainer_mike says, "The one you have all been waiting for."
master_trainer_mike says, "We have worked hard to get this announcement for you."
master_trainer_mike says, "Because the chat is the place for big, fat announcements"
master_trainer_mike says, "like the one I will soon be giving you."
master_trainer_pat says, "No Bothans have died though.."
darkmt_mike says, "How fat is it?"
master_trainer_mike says, "This big, fat announcement has been brought to you by the MT's and Wizards of the Coast."
master_trainer_mike says, "Wizards of the Coast, maker of fine games such as Pokemon, and Harry Potter bring you big, fat announcements like this"
master_trainer_mike says, "so that you, the public can remain informed."
master_trainer_pat says, "Come on get to it, man!!!"
darkmt_mike says, "Yeah!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Wizards, is a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc, which sometimes also brings you big, fat announcements."
master_trainer_pat says, "Hurry up, dude!"
master_trainer_mike says, "But not today!"
master_trainer_mike says, "We, the MT's will be bringing you the big, fat announcement."
master_trainer_pat says, "Hey, we're losing the crowd here."
darkmt_mike says, "*sigh*"
darkmt_mike says, "Tell them already!"
master_trainer_mike says, "So, after telling you this big, fat announcement, we will continue with our normally scheduled programming."
master_trainer_pat says, "d'oh."
master_trainer_mike says, "Which may include, singing, bad jokes, silly sayings, reminiscing about old videogame systems and even more"
master_trainer_pat says, "All the usual idiots ;)(that's me.)"
master_trainer_mike says, "BIG FAT ANNOUNCEMENTS!"
master_trainer_mike says, "(whew)"
master_trainer_pat says, "ok"
master_trainer_pat says, "bye"
master_trainer_mike says, "So thank you for all coming!"
master_trainer_mike says, "See you next week!"
master_trainer_pat says, "shoot."
master_trainer_mike says, "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHZ!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok, want to hear the big, fat announcement?"
master_trainer_mike says, "The one you have all been waiting for?"
master_trainer_mike says, "Wait...what was it again Pat?"
master_trainer_mike says, "I forgot in all that silliness."
master_trainer_pat says, "The WCSTS...format."
master_trainer_pat says, "yea, that's it."
master_trainer_mike says, "Oh YEAH!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok."
[CHRISBO NOTE: I figure if I had to wait through all that just to get to the
announcement, you should too (hee-hee).]
master_trainer_mike says, "So, first let me tell you that at the next WSTS in December, we will be giving you (for small fees), FULLY SANCTIONED SIDE
EVENTS!"
master_trainer_mike says, "YAY!!!!!"
master_trainer_pat says, "hooo-haw."
master_trainer_mike says, "You will be able to play in sanctioned Unlimited side events, Modified side events, Booster Drafts, and even the Theme Deck
Challenge."
master_trainer_mike says, "And each and every one of these events will be sanctioned with our competent judging staff there for your enjoyment."
master_trainer_mike says, "You will also be able to win and earn lots of cool cards as well."
master_trainer_mike says, "With these side events (full details coming on the web site soon), we will be running 4 main tournaments."
master_trainer_mike says, "One for ages 10 and under, 1 for ages 11 + 12, 1 for ages 13+ 14, and 1 for ages 15 and up."
master_trainer_mike says, "For each of these main tournaments (taking place on both Saturday and Sunday), the constructed deck format will be the new
Modified format."
master_trainer_mike says, "This means you will be able to use cards from Team Rocket, Gym Heroes, Gym Challenge, Neo Genesis, Neo Discovery, Southern
Islands, and Neo Revelation as well as all promo cards (except for Ancient Mew and Birthday Pikachu)."
master_trainer_pat says, "That means Black Star promo cards..."
master_trainer_mike says, "Once again, Neo Genesis Sneasel is banned."
master_trainer_mike says, "Pre-Release and Wizards stamped cards count for whichever set they were released in, so you cannot use the Pre-Release
Aerodactyl for example as that is a Fossil card."
master_trainer_mike says, "Keep in mind that we are running an Unlimited Premiere Side event each day if you would rather play there, as well as
other cool side events."
master_trainer_mike says, "This STS will have something for everybody!"
master_trainer_pat says, "cool"
master_trainer_mike says, "We will start taking phone registration for this event around October 8th. Details to come soon."
master_trainer_mike says, "I will tell you though that in order to participate in the main tournaments you will HAVE to pre-register. There
will be NO walk-ins allowed for the main tournaments."
master_trainer_mike says, "Of course, anyone can walk in and participate in the side events as long as they are allowed to play in sanctioned events."
master_trainer_mike says, "There will also be the fun activities like Create a Card, get your picture taken with Pikachu, the onstage Trivia and so on."
master_trainer_mike says, "I, for one, can't wait. It should be great!"
master_trainer_pat says, "Now back to our regularly scheduled programming..."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #26 from
indigomaster33:
the main event format???
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, includes Neo Revelation."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #45 from
indigomaster33:
since Modified is the WSTS format, does this mean Rocket will stay part of
Modified
master_trainer_mike says, "For now................."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #29 from pkmnx:
Modified format huh....kinda anticlimactic, isnt it?
master_trainer_pat says, "What do you mean?"
master_trainer_mike says, "How so? You have been playing Unlimited for 2 years now. Modified was only played once and there are 150 additional cards
added in (or will be by then)."
master_trainer_mike says, "Besides, the future of Pokemon is quite exciting (can't talk specifics yet). Solidified formats to test your skills are part
of the overall Master Plan."
master_trainer_mike says, "Also, keep in mind that Modified will eventually be modified."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #32 from soslowpoke:
150 additional cards in Modified since the ECSTS? Let's see: 75 from
Discovery, 18 for SI, 6 promos, that's 99...meaning Neo Revelations is 51cards???
master_trainer_pat says, "He's estimating..."
master_trainer_mike says, "I'm not sure of the Revelation size, that was just a quick guess. Probably more...."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #34 from soslowpoke:
Revelations...80 cards?
master_trainer_pat says, "Now you're just guessing..."
STS PRE-REGISTRATION INFO:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #78 from sd_pokemom:
Is the registration by phone for both days?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, except that registering over the phone is only part of the process...you must still check in at the event with the
proper paperwork."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #81 from sd_pokemom:
Will there be any registration online? or just by phone? And the parent must be the one who calls? (Sorry, I'm gathering info for my League kids)..
master_trainer_mike says, "Registration will only be over the phone (starting Oct 8th) and anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent call
for them."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #86 from sd_pokemom:
Will players need a DCI number in order to register by phone?
master_trainer_mike says, "It is preferred, but if you don't have one, then one will be provided for you."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #95 from sd_pokemom:
What are the hours the registration phone lines will be open?
master_trainer_pat says, "They will be our regular hours 9am-7pm PST."
master_trainer_pat says, "Mon-Fri"
[CHRISBO NOTE: As mentioned earlier, beginning Oct. 8th.)
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #107 from sd_pokemom:
Once more: pre-registration is for the main tourney; the side events (which will have a fee) are going to be walk-in and sign up that day?
master_trainer_pat says, "Correct."
STS SIDE-EVENTS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #76 from sd_pokemom:
The main tourney (which must be pre-registered for): is there a charge for it? or only for the side events?
master_trainer_pat says, "The main event is free. Small charges for side events."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #69 from sd_pokemom:
What are the side events going to be? Drafts and the Theme Deck challenge? Any idea of costs? (so I can let my League know...)
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be Unlimited and Modified side event tournaments. There will also be Gym Block Booster Drafts and the Theme Deck
Challenge."
master_trainer_mike says, "Each of these side events will cost between $1 and $5 to take part in."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #24 from
indigomaster33:
Theme deck challenge? could you explain?
master_trainer_mike says, "Sure! For a small fee, each participant gets a random theme deck. You then take part in a swiss tournament. Each
participant gets a prize just for playing, and the top 8 get quite a bit
more."
master_trainer_mike says, "A real test of your Trainer skills. Hope I don't get stuck with Lockdown!"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #52 from pkmnx:
Does Theme Deck Challenge count as Limited (DCI-wise?)
master_trainer_pat says, "We have not decided yet."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #35 from chrisbo:
About the Booster Drafts at the STS, are they all going to be from the same set or are you planning on holding different expansion drafts throughout the
day (i.e. 1pm=Neo block; 3pm=Gym Block; 5pm=BaseSet only (for us old-timers))?
master_trainer_pat says, "This is the first time for us doing something like this (at an actual event) so we're going to stick with the Gym series."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #91 from sd_pokemom:
How many players, numbers-wise, can you accommodate each day for the main tourney? How about for the side events?
master_trainer_mike says, "We can be quite flexible, we had a lot at the ESTS and will be prepared."
master_trainer_mike says, "Some of the side events cap at 64 players, some do 8 person pick ups throughout the day."
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS STS QUESTIONS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #19 from slowking_man:
How's the WCSTS coming along? Know where in San Diego it'll be?
master_trainer_pat says, "At the San Diego convention center."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #87 from feralshade:
will the 2nd day be a continuation of the first's main event or will it be a
separate tourney?
master_trainer_pat says, "It will be separate events for both days."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #110 from sd_pokemom:
Prize structure for the main events and side events, please?
master_trainer_mike says, "No specifics yet, sorry."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #96 from feralshade:
will there be any side events featuring the GB titles, as in some leagues,
or will Nintendo have no affiliation with the STS?
master_trainer_mike says, "There are no plans for gameboy stuff at the STS
at this time."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #10 from soslowpoke:
What are the prizes you earn at STS QT's and how do you earn them?
master_trainer_pat says, "Some individual prizes are left up to the
tournament organizer (I believe), the main prizes provided by Wizards are
the trips to San Diego."
NEO: REVELATIONS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #2 from soslowpoke:
So Neo Revelation is coming out in 2 weeks?
master_trainer_pat says, "Huh. That's news to me. I've been told to expect
it at the end of October maybe the week before Halloween."
master_trainer_pat says, "If it comes out any sooner than that, I'll be
pleasantly surprised."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #15 from soslowpoke:
Some stores are "claiming" that their local store has received boxes of Neo
Revelation already?
master_trainer_pat says, "They can claim all they want, but I wouldn't be
able to tell you if any have any yet."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #23 from soslowpoke:
Mike- what's the latest on when Neo Revelation comes out?
master_trainer_mike says, "Well, the date is still a wee bit flexible but
looks like in October."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #6 from soslowpoke:
What are the theme decks for Neo Revelation?
master_trainer_pat says, "I have not seen any information regarding them
yet."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #36 from soslowpoke:
Will Shiny Magikarp and Shiny Gyarados be released in Revelation?
master_trainer_mike says, "dunno, wait and see"
master_trainer_pat says, "It's a secret."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #37 from soslowpoke:
Any cards in Revelation that are nasty and we'll need to watch out for?
master_trainer_pat says, "We're kinda waiting to see what you guys decide
are worthy."
master_trainer_pat says, "If we tell you what we like sometimes it steals
the show for the rest of the set."
master_trainer_pat says, "No one tries new and interesting combos and
stuff."
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #3 from soslowpoke:
What's Season 9's promo?
master_trainer_pat says, "There is no season 9 that I've heard of. Pokemon
League year 2 ends with season 8."
master_trainer_pat says, "Some stores will continue to run a 'catch up'
league at their discretion."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #47 from chrisbo:
There have been reports that a new direct-to-video release of "Mewtwo
Returns" will be available on DVD & VHS in Nov. or Dec. (you can pre-order
it on Amazon.com). My question is, do you know if there will be any promo
cards included with it?
master_trainer_mike says, "I have heard there will be, but it is still being
worked out, so no details yet, sorry."