OK, we now have some "official" details on the upcoming Neo-based expansion from Wizards of the Coast; lots of good questions, but not much info that we haven't surmised already.  Also, this week was a particularly goofy one at the chat for Star Wars fans; you'll see what I mean later on.

"IT'S CALLED NEO: GENESIS":

master_trainer_pat says, "Hey Poke-fiends and friends! We have some

interesting announcements for you this week about some new cards on the way

and some ruling clarifications from last week."

master_trainer_pat says, "Realize that many Bothans died in order to get us

this information."

master_trainer_mike says, "Some NEO info!"

master_trainer_pat says, "YES!"

master_trainer_mike says, "Many Bothans died to get us this info too!"

master_trainer_pat says, "Sigh!"

master_trainer_mike says, "Some info on the first upcoming Pokemon Neo

expansion. It will be called Neo:Genesis. It will contain over 60 all new

Pokemon, including the Baby Pokemon. 2 new energy types (along with some

Pokemon) called Darkness and Metal. It will be out within the next few

months (no specific dates yet)."

master_trainer_mike says, "So let's be nice to the Bothans today shall we?"

[CHRISBO NOTE: Hmm, so I wonder if the future expansions are going to be

called "Neo:Leviticus" and "Neo:Deuteronomy" (Bible reference)]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #426 from marril2000:

Why did you call it Metal instead of STEEL like in the game boy game?

master_trainer_mike says, "we were told we had to."

 

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #434 from marril2000:

Darkness and (sigh) METAL energy cards are not basic?

master_trainer_mike says, "Correct."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #437 from soslowpoke:

Are Darkness, Metal, and Recycle Energies rare cards?

master_trainer_mike says, "Can't say, sorry."

 

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #318 from thamaster:

Will the english have any more or less cards than the japanese ones and if

so what?

master_trainer_pat says, "We don't know specifics yet, sorry."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #328 from thamaster:

How come you are almost gonna have Neo:Genesis soon but we dont even have

gym heroes officially yet [in the UK]?!?!  Can't you get on the phone to the

english wizards and tell em to HURRY UP??

master_trainer_mike says, "The various regions are at different points in

the Pokemon release schedule.  We are working towards unification in the

next year."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #331 from soslowpoke:

When will the first neo set come out? Before Christmas?

master_trainer_pat says, "We're not ready to say yet, sorry."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #375 from

its_true_its_true:

Will there be a prerelease card or tourney for Neo: Genesis?

master_trainer_pat says, "We don't know yet, sorry."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #402 from lucky_cal:

How will certain NEO cards that had been distributed in 9-card sets in Japan

be distributed here?  As part of the regular set, promos, etc.?  I know, I

know..."Can't comment yet."

master_trainer_mike says, ""Can't comment yet.""

master_trainer_mike says, "hee hee hee"

master_trainer_mike says, "(you knew we'd say that)"

STS INFO (two weeks and counting...):

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #296 from

rocketelectabuzz:

Neo will be called neo genesis correct? Also there will be a display at the

STS correct??

master_trainer_mike says, "Correct!"

[CHRISBO NOTE: I hope he means "Correct" for both of the questions...]

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #521 from marril2000:

        Will neo be on display at STS?

master_trainer_pat says, "Yabba dabba"

master_trainer_pat says, "do"

[CHRISBO NOTE: Um, I think that means yes?]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #503 from marril2000:

What time does the MAIN event start at NJ? Also what format will it be in

(Swiss?) Finally how many rounds will there be until the winner is announced

(please give a time)!

master_trainer_mike says, "Starts at 11 am, swiss format, no idea on how

many rounds, have to go and see."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #511 from

rocketelectabuzz:

Will the tournament at the STS end before the other events that way I can

get in on that too?

master_trainer_pat says, "The tournament went pretty late on the Queen Mary.

I don't expect it to be over before the other events finish."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #309 from

rocketelectabuzz:

I have a gold invitation to the STS do I need to pre-register, i dont

right??

master_trainer_mike says, "Correct you do not, a space is held for you as

long as you mail in your paperwork"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #470 from marril2000:

How many phone calls did you answer for the ECSTS sign ups?

master_trainer_pat says, "Quite a few."

master_trainer_pat says, "Especially on Monday."

master_trainer_mike says, "a couple hundred so far, slots filling up, be

sure to call in and pre-register."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #532 from marril2000:

What is the latest number in the ECSTS database? (example=DC042

master_trainer_pat says, "I have not checked this afternoon, but this

morning it was up to 240"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #345 from pikabruce:

Thus far, the announcements about 15-3 for the ECSTS have all been on the

Internet.  Will those people who qualified but aren't on the web find out

about 15-3 before they arrive?

master_trainer_mike says, "They are all informed by mail as well."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #346 from

rocketelectabuzz:

Are there any plans for any more mall tours or tournaments or such??

master_trainer_pat says, "nothing concrete yet."

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #273 from lugia_2001:

what is the next "W" promo?

master_trainer_mike says, "Foil stamped Brock's Vulpix with TopDeck issue

13."

master_trainer_mike says, "Out soon!"

master_trainer_mike says, "By the way, you can see the Space Weedle in it!"

master_trainer_pat says, "Yowzaa!"

master_trainer_mike says, "AND the first game puzzle by MT Mike and MT Pat!

It's a doozy."

master_trainer_pat says, "Uh huh."

master_trainer_mike says, "Many Bothans died helping us make this puzzle."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #546 from

waruimyuutsuu:

How do you get the english birthday pikachu promo?

master_trainer_mike says, "Starting Dec 1st there will be a contest on our

web site or wait until Jan 6th and the 1st season of League year 2."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #329 from soslowpoke:

Will there be a NON HOLO ______'s Pikachu?

master_trainer_pat says, "The only non-holo one will be the one 9 card

Pikachu World Collection."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #353 from

rocketelectabuzz:

How much did the pikachu world collection cost in Sydney??

master_trainer_mike says, "Around $12 US."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #387 from lugia_2001:

Will the whole 9-card pikachu set eventually be translated in english?

master_trainer_pat says, "The separate cards will be, but the set will not

be released as it was at the Olympics."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #378 from lugia_2001:

Is there ANY way I can get my hands on the "W" stamp Dark Charmeleon????

master_trainer_pat says, "That's pretty tough from what I understand.  We

don't have them here.  I think you can only get it in Australia."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #380 from lugia_2001:

Did you ever notice that on Team Rocket's Meowth, the blocks or pieces that

are around the picture are pokemon? isn't that cool!

master_trainer_mike says, "No I didn't, thanks for pointing that out!"

master_trainer_pat says, "That is cool."

GOOFY STUFF:

[CHRISBO NOTE: For those who don't know, "Bothan Spies" refers to a group

that sacrificed their lives to deliver plans for the Death Star in one of

the Star Wars movies.  QUOTE: "Many Bothans died to bring you this

information..."]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #292 from iamimakuni:

yo wassup? minty fresh still cool?

master_trainer_mike says, "MINTY FRESH is out! Many Bothans dying are in!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #306 from scrye_fung:

What's up with the Bothan and Star Trek reference? Trying to go into ST

territory or what? Perhaps Decipher????

master_trainer_mike says, "Star Trek?!?!?! Take your donuts away my friend."

master_trainer_pat says, "No cookies for you Scrye Fung!"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #317 from

rocketelectabuzz:

Why must the Bothans die?

master_trainer_pat says, "To bring us this important information!"

darkmt_mike says, "To protect the rebellion!"

master_trainer_mike says, "They are closely related to lemmings and would

have pitched themselves off of the Space Weedle if we didn't stop them

anyway."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #323 from

turbocharizard:

Please stop saying "Many Bothans died". If you have to say something, please

say "minty fresh". That was better.

master_trainer_mike says, "How about many MINTY FRESH Bothans have died???"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #326 from articuno21:

Exactly what are Bothans? Are they a race of slave people?

master_trainer_mike says, "That is a quote from Star WARS (NOT STAR TREK

scrye fung!!)"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #359 from articuno21:

Which movie is the Bothan quote in? I'm a big Star Wars fan

master_trainer_mike says, "Dude!!!  If you are such a fan then you should

KNOW THAT!"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #390 from articuno21:

        |-o-|                 a TIE fighter for you!

master_trainer_pat says, "Can you do a Y Wing?"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #407 from articuno21:

        /\_/\    (o^_^o)          IT"S PIKACHU!!!!!

master_trainer_pat says, "Cool."

master_trainer_mike says, "nice, can you do weedle?"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #420 from magmar2000:

        (^)oooo/   Mike, does that look like weedle at all?

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #422 from articuno21:

        ooooÔ      a bad weedle

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #425 from ikendall:

        \ooo00OOO(^_^)  WEEDLE!!!

master_trainer_mike says, "Great job gang!  You are all MINTY FRESH!!!"

So until next week, stay "minty" and "Save the Bothans",

 - CHRISBO