The bulk of this week's chat was trying to find out more details about the
upcoming Challenge Series and Professor programs (see my 1/03 Chat Report for a basic description of those). There were also some really good
questions about the season-ending tournaments of Pokemon League as well. Not as earth-shattering as last week's chat, but still informative
nonetheless.
Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
CHALLENGE SERIES:
master_trainer_pat says, "Did you all check out the details of the Pokemon
Professor program on the Wizards Pokegym boards?"
master_trainer_pat says, "We plan on posting even more info on that program
and the Challenge Series January 21st"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1005 from pkmnx:
Hi guys! Can you give us the locations of the Stadium Challenges? Do you
even have them yet? :P
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope not yet. Check out our website on Jan 21st."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1058 from
bubbi_guru:
Will the winners of the Challenge events receive trips? if not what will
they win? So if the 14- DON'T win trips (because there is a stadium event
for every part of the U.S.) then the 15+ has even less to worry (I don't
want to say complain) about!
master_trainer_mike says, "Details to come on the 21st."
PROFESSOR PROGRAM:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1022 from daytongl:
Any details that can be leaked about the Professor Program and Challenge
series? Or do we have to wait until Monday?
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry I am working on them as fast as I can :) So
is Jaime and a lot of other busy people. We are shooting to get all details
up on the 21st."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1018 from
gym_leader_blaine:
so when do we see the professor test on the web?
master_trainer_pat says, "We don't really want to state a day, it is being
worked on and it will be up on the web when it's up."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1035 from yoshi1001:
The professor test will have both Pokémon TCG and DCI questions, right?
master_trainer_mike says, "Correct and I will warn you guys now, it is
pretty hard :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1051 from
gym_leader_blaine:
will the professor test have a time limit to it?
master_trainer_mike says, "No it won't."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1054 from yoshi1001:
Have you decided what % we will have to get on the professor test to pass?
How about a retake policy?
master_trainer_mike says, "Details to come."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1080 from pokesensei:
Will there be Maple Bar questions on the test?? heh
master_trainer_pat says, "No sir"
master_trainer_mike says, "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1055 from
matthewssandslash:
Could kids 14 and under (like me!) take the Professor test just to see how
much we know, just for fun?
master_trainer_mike says, "The test will ask for your age and DCI number (if
you have one). The program and test are for players 15 and up."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1049 from
captaincommando:
Would you take under consideration if the test was online, wouldn't it be
easy to cheat for those who would? All the person has to do is find an
online rulebook?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes, we know that but we have no other way of
allowing people around the world the chance to test for it. We will do what
we can to limit that AND any Professor found posting answers online will be
expunged from the Program."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1052 from chrisbo:
What sort of things would you recommend we start studying in preparation for
the Professors test?
master_trainer_mike says, "Know the rules of the game well, read up on the
Universal Floor rules, check out TC's web site for card interactions.... All
of the info you would need to pass is available online. Just make sure you
read the questions carefully. BUT don't worry if you don't pass it the first
time, you can try again later. The main point of the test isn't to test your
knowledge as much as it is there to show you what you should know to be a
successful Pokemon Judge."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1062 from
scyther_trainer:
My friends and I have created a team format that was very popular in our
Toys R' Us League. How will the professors be able to suggest things for
this Format?
master_trainer_mike says, "Gang we are not soliciting formats per se.
However, Professors will have access to playtesting with us . Watch for more
details."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1070 from lance313:
If you pass the professor test, would you be blocked from taking it again
(i.e., if someone tried using someone else's DCI number after it had already
been used)?
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1071 from
bubbi_guru:
Where will professors be able to playtest new formats? what events?
master_trainer_mike says, "WAIT AND SEE!!!!!"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1078 & #1086 from
marril2000:
does it have to be past your birthday to become a pokemon professor or can
it be the year of you 15th birthday. Example: Player-M has a birthday in
september, would he have to wait till after that day to take the test?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, after birthday."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1072 from
matthewssandslash:
Can Professors play at leagues in regular play?
master_trainer_mike says, "Certainly"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1076 from
gym_leader_blaine:
The professor program will have levels to it. In Magic you go up levels by
doing a certain number of tournaments, which last week you said this will
also be the case for the professor program. My question is will past run
tournaments count toward this, or do we start at 0 when we pass that test?
master_trainer_mike says, "Everyone starts at zero :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1085 from
gym_leader_blaine:
sorry about that. how many levels will the prof program have?
master_trainer_mike says, "Initially two."
POKEMON PLAYERS REWARDS PROGRAM:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1077 from daytongl:
Any details on the Players Rewards program that was mentioned last week?
master_trainer_mike says, "The Pokemon Player Rewards program won't be
starting until the second half of 2002. details to come much later :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1084 from
bubbi_guru:
I heard from a reliable source that one can win promo cards from the rewards
program is this true?
master_trainer_mike says, "Once again for the cheap seats. Details to come
later!!!!"
POKEMON LEAGUE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #998 & #999 from
sd_pokemom:
My first Year 3 League session ran very smoothly...people were very
enthusiastic about the "new" league. We even had some of the parents who
were just "observers" last year sign up! And this GL thanks you for the
helpful "little" touches, like the flap on the passport holder to access the
stamping area!
master_trainer_mike says, "Glad you liked it!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1000 from
sd_pokemom:
Will there be a way to order more passport sleeves and chains, or will they
be included in subsequent season kits? I can see needing more of these in
the future as kids "drop" from the League and new kids join, or kids trash
them...
master_trainer_mike says, "They are only included in the Season 1 kit but we
will have extras available for players who join the leagues later on. Just
contact your supplier here at Wizards as you need them."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1009 from yoshi1001:
You said League 3 seasons were 5 weeks. Is that with or without the
season-ending tournament?
master_trainer_mike says, "4 weeks of gameplay and earning the promos, week
5 is when the season ending tournament is held."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1124 from
toysruskid:
Will the season ending tourneys be Single Elimination or Swiss?
master_trainer_mike says, "Single Elim, swiss would take too long."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1023 from lance313:
What is the minimum number that can play in the season ending tournament and
still be sanctioned? 4? if so, I would guess the GL/TO/Judge couldn't play,
right?
master_trainer_mike says, "Four is the minimum and so the judge could not
play in that case."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1001 from
sd_pokemom:
Re: League season-ending tourneys: can the GL participate if the tourney is
DCI sanctioned? Does the tourney need to be run under 3-judge rule if the GL
wishes to participate?
master_trainer_mike says, "You can certainly use the 3-judge system but as
you may know, the tournament can only have between 8 and 16 players to do
so. Otherwise, if a tournament is sanctioned and has more than 16 players
the Judge may NOT participate. This is to ensure that the judges have
sufficient attention available to pay to the players."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1003 from
sd_pokemom:
Can the League season-end tourney be a booster draft?
master_trainer_mike says, "We recommend the initial tournaments be
constructed until you get some experience running them at the league as do
your league players. But if everyone involved is open to that, you can do
so."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1025 from
gym_leader_blaine:
do the season-end tourney have to be modified format or anything goes?
master_trainer_mike says, "I would recommend just doing Standard at first.
Many league players are still fairly new to the game and may not know the
Modified format yet. However, if all of your players are ok with using a
format, you certainly can."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1004 from
sd_pokemom:
Re: League season-ending tourneys: if DCI sanctioned, does it still need to
be run under Age-Modified rules? Or not, since it is single-elimination?
master_trainer_mike says, "Since it is using its own unique seedings made
for the league, you realistically cannot run it age modified and that is
fine with us."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1113 from sd_pokemom:
Will DCI-sanctioned end of season tourneys show up on the tourney locator,
even though they aren't "open" to non-League members?
master_trainer_pat says, "That's quite likely, due to the process of setting
up those tourneys"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1044 from
matthewssandslash:
Could the season-ending tourney have a non-official tourney format, such as
all-commons?
master_trainer_mike says, "Not really. This tournament is there to offer
players a chance to play in a normal Pokemon tournament. Nice Try. It is
unfair to the league members to make them try some unofficial variants in
this way. You should play those sorts of things outside of the league."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1138 from chrisbo:
If a League location has two sessions per week, how are they going to handle
the season-ending tournament? Will it have to be split across both days, or
can they hold two separate tournaments?
master_trainer_mike says, "They should have a separate kit for each league.
Or they could combine the two if they wanted."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1149 from chrisbo:
Re Q1138 (wasn't that a George Lucas movie?), so if a League has two
separate sessions, the tournament pairing brackets could be totally
different depending on which day you play?
master_trainer_mike says, "Look, if they run more than 1 session they should
do that the entire season long and should run 2 tournaments. If the sessions
are small though, they can combine them for the tournament if that is what
works bets for that location."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1008 from
captaincommando:
Do you know of Toys R' Us participance in hosting Pokemon Leagues?
master_trainer_mike says, "We are still in negotiation with Toys R Us about
their possible participation with our league programs. It is still
uncertain."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1091 from
skywolf9653:
Will TRU stores that participate in Year 3, be listed on your Tournament
Locator at some point?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, they will. At this point however there are
very few of those stores"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1014 from
captaincommando:
Will there be a league run at the Pokemon Center? [in New York City]
master_trainer_mike says, "That is entirely up to them."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1074 from
skywolf9653:
Can a League be run out of a private home, or does it have to be at a place
of business? I had someone ask me this.
master_trainer_pat says, "It would have to be a business."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1095 from
skywolf9653:
Are you folks satisfied with the number of stores participating in Year 3
leagues, or were you expecting a larger number of stores to get involved?
master_trainer_mike says, "The number of stores that participate are
directly proportional to the number of local players that want the league.
So you tell us :). If there is not a league in your area, help get one
started! Find a local store that would want customers in every week (in this
recession who wouldn't?), tell them about it. Offer to help run it, then
contact us."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1104 from onederlnd:
re:1095 - Would we need the store to call you, or could we do it? (Getting
leagues started)
master_trainer_pat says, "The store would need to call."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1102 from lizardotc:
I have started a league! But, even though the store has premiere status and
runs Magic a LOT, they have to do the whole dance to get Pokémon league
going...WHY?
master_trainer_mike says, "What dance? They contact our sale department and
it goes from there. Glad you started one though :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1110 from lizardotc:
Why do they need new pictures of the STORE?!
master_trainer_mike says, "Because League programs should only be run at
appropriate locations. We have had liquor and gun stores ask if they could
run them. Not appropriate. They are just looking for verification."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1123 from
marril2000:
I know of a store over here in NH that is listed on the league locator that
is "not appropriate", who should I contact about this, and should i provide
proof (photos, etc.)
master_trainer_mike says, "Send all details you can to custserv@wizards.com.
Keep in mind though that we do need proof of some sort if possible."
NEO: DESTINY:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1021 from
skywolf9653:
Is Neo 4 still scheduled for a mid-February release?
master_trainer_pat says, "We're hoping to see it by March, but we don't have
an exact date yet."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1059 from
matthewssandslash:
February... seems so long to wait for new cards...
master_trainer_pat says, "that's only a few weeks away."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1042 from
skywolf9653:
Will the "light" type Pokemon eventually have their own energy type?
master_trainer_mike says, "Dunno"
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1045 from
gym_leader_blaine:
I live in Salt Lake City. Do you know if Wizards will have a 9 card set for
the Winter Olympics like they did for the summer one 2 years ago
master_trainer_mike says, "There are no plans for such a thing."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1150 from mechachu:
are there going to be any promos this year BESIDES the league promos? like
maybe in the "Pokemon Advanced" game if ever its released
master_trainer_pat says, "We don't know yet."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1158 from pkmnx:
Other than 1-of-a-kind promos, what would you consider to be the rarest
english...and real...promo?
master_trainer_mike says, "The 1999 Poketour Pikachu is pretty hard to get
as is the red cheeked E3 Pikachu."
master_trainer_pat says, "I would have to say that the Tropical Mega Battle
Exeggutor (with Japanese and English text) is the toughest to get a hold
of."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1167 from
gym_leader_blaine:
did it again. what about the 1st edition ivy pikachu
master_trainer_mike says, "Yeah, but the others were harder to get"
master_trainer_pat says, "Tough, though you can find it if you look hard
enough"
POKEMON "CARD-E":
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1159 from mechachu:
Any news on that fancy scan card doodad thing for GBA??
master_trainer_mike says, "Well I played the Machamp game on a Japanese
version. I was able to break 18 boulders!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1186 from
skywolf9653:
Do you have any new E-Card News?
master_trainer_mike says, "Actually it is called Card-E. And nothing new
yet."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1193 from
bubbi_guru:
What is a Card-E? Sorry i have been gone for a while and am trying to catch
up *no wonder his Questions are so stupid*
master_trainer_mike says, "Something that Japan released for Pokemon and
GBA."