Well, we finally have an official and final (we hope) clarification on how
to handle Suicune's "Crystal Body" Pokemon Power. There was quite a ruckus a few months ago when it was announced that Crystal Body prevents attacks
like Eeeeeeek and Fetch, and even more flak when this was extended to hold true for Agility and Transparency too. I normally don't report on rulings
here, but these are just too significant to pass up.
Also, there's a new draft format (well, new to Pokemon anyway) coming, and it's called Rochester! It will be sanctioned "for Professors only" at the
upcoming Stadium Challenge events, so get ready!
Finally, because of the light volume at recent chats, they're going to be scaling back from two hours per week to only one hour per week. This may
occasionally get extended during heavy periods after new releases, but just don't be surprised if you arrive at 4:15pm PST and everyone's already gone
for the day.
Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
SUICUNE CLARIFICATION AND OTHER NEW RULINGS:
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok, for your enjoyment, here are the 3 pages of
updated rulings (Pat go take a break)."
master_trainer_mike says, "Suicune and all similar affects (Haunter's
Transparency, Agility, etc.) have been clarified and finalized."
master_trainer_pat says, "ok."
master_trainer_mike says, "Please ignore the previous Suicune rulings
released in Nov/Dec 2001. As stated in that rules release they were only
temporary until they were correctly figured out."
master_trainer_mike says, "While attacks are still always against the
Defending Pokemon, regardless of where their effects end up, the effects end
up on a specific Pokemon. So Suicune's Crystal Body Power which reads:
Prevent all effects of your opponent's attacks, other than damage done to
Suicune, means that ONLY effects done TO Suicune are prevented. So, an
attack that does 20 damage and paralyzes would still do 20 damage but would
NOT Paralyze a Defending Suicune. If the attacking Pokemon (with Suicune as
the Defending Pokemon) does damage to a Benched Pokemon, Suicunes Crystal
Body Power does NOT prevent that effect or damage as it is NOT being done to
Suicune. Any additional effects the attack may have (such as having to
discard an energy in order to use the attack, or self-inflicted damage) is
NOT prevented as it is NOT done to Suicune. If Suicune is a Benched Pokemon
and Dark Arbok uses it Stare attack against it (Choose 1 of your opponent's
Pokemon. This attack does 10 damage to that Pokemon. Don't apply Weakness
and Resistance for this attack. (Any other effects that would happen after
applying Weakness and Resistance still happen.) If that Pokemon has a
Pokemon Power, that power stops working until the end of your opponent's
next turn.), Suicune would still take the 10 damage but its Crystal Body
Pokemon Power would prevent the Stare's effect of shutting off the Pokemon
Power. It is important to recognize that attacks are always against the
Defending Pokemon, which is why Cleffa's Eeeek can be prevented by a
Smokescreen effect or anything other attack prevention even though the Eeek!
attack does not do anything to the Defending Pokemon. So, Crystal Body,
Agility, and Haunter's Transparency do NOT prevent Eeek!, only effects of
attacks that are done TO them."
master_trainer_mike says, "Pidgeotto's Mirror Move attack reads: If
Pidgeotto was attacked last turn, do the final result of that attack on
Pidgeotto to the Defending Pokemon. The final result of an attack is what is
done to a Pokemon. If the Defending Pokemon has a Weakness or Resistance
this is calculated BEFORE naming the final result of the attack. Focus Band
takes place OUTSIDE of the timing sequence of attack resolution. It does NOT
change the Final Result of an attack. It is a replacement effect that takes
place before a Pokemon is Knocked out. If Pidgeotto has a Focus Band
attached to it, the Final Result of an attack against it does NOT count
anything that Focus Band may or may not do. Meaning if an attack against
Pidgeotto does 100 damage and a Focus Band triggers successfully reducing
Pidgeotto's remaining HP to 10, the Final result of the attack against this
Pokemon is 100 damage, NOT reducing the Defending Pokemon to 10 hp."
master_trainer_mike says, "Magby's Sputter still works as previously ruled.
It is an effect originating from Magby. If Magby evolves, is Benched, or
leaves play, the Sputter effect ends."
master_trainer_mike says, "Feint attacks (against the Defending Pokemon) and
Swift attacks ignore ANY effect attempting to reduce their damage. This
means that Murkrow's Feint attack if done against the Defending Pokemon is
NOT reduced by Unown D's Darkness Pokemon Power. This also means that a
colorless Pokemon using a Swift or Feint attack is NOT reduced by a Sprout
Tower either. These attacks cannot have their damage reduced by any game
effect."
master_trainer_mike says, "If a Pokemon has a Pokemon Power that can only be
used once per turn, or has an attack that can't be used on the following
turn, they can use these attacks or Pokemon Powers if they evolve or devolve
or leave play. In each of these cases it is no longer the same Pokemon and
so it gets around the once per turn or not usuable next turn effects.
Benching a Pokemon does NOT get around these effects as they are still the
same Pokemon and still in play."
master_trainer_mike says, "Focus Band only prevents a Pokemon from being
Knocked out if any effect or damage from an attack would Knock it out during
that turn. This means that if Mew's Devolution Beam would Knock out the
Defending Pokemon, Focus Band would trigger (this effect takes place during
the attack). Any effect caused by an attack that would Knock out the
Defending Pokemon AFTER the attack such as Poison or Char would NOT trigger
Focus Band."
master_trainer_mike says, "A Special Energy Card remains a Special Energy
card regardless of what happens to it. A Fire Burned Rainbow Energy may only
produce Fire energy but it would still be considered a Special Energy card
as well. This is important for Smoochum's Psykiss attack."
master_trainer_mike says, "If a Pokemon has copies of other Pokemon's
attacks on it (such as Sabrina's Alakazam), it will NOT have multiple copies
of identical attacks. This means that is Sabrina's Alakazam was your Active
Pokemon and you had a Mind Shock attack that does 30 damage and a Mind Shock
attack that does 40 damage on the bench, you would gain a copy of each of
those attacks as they are NOT identical (the amount of damage done is
different). Different attacks can have the same name. An attack is
considered identical if it has the same attack cost, name, and does
identical damage and effects. If Amnesia (Choose 1 of your opponent's
attacks, that attack cannot be used next turn) is done against the Sabrina's
Alakazam in this example, the attacked would have to choose the Mind Shock
that does 30 damage or the Mind Shock that does 40 damage, NOT just Mind
Shock."
master_trainer_mike says, "WHEW!!!!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Did you get all that??????"
master_trainer_mike says, "Hello????"
master_trainer_mike says, "Still awake????"
master_trainer_pat says, "wha?"
master_trainer_pat says, "oh"
NEW CHAT SCHEDULE:
master_trainer_mike says, "Since the volume of questions has lowered itself
a bit and we have so much work we have to get done for Pokemon and all of
our other games, starting next week the Pokemon Chat will be run from 3-4pm
every Thursday PST."
master_trainer_pat says, "We'll plan to scale back these chats to one hour
from here on out...how about 3 to 4pm."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #86 from
slowking_man:
Only 3-4? Don't deprive us, Mike!
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry but if you want the Professor Test up and
more articles and new formats and new rulings and customer service to be
able to help you and so on and so on we need time to work as well."
master_trainer_mike says, "If a week is very busy we can always go longer
but only if needed."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #94 from
gym_leader_blaine:
could you bring back the 2 hr chats when Neo Destiny first comes out. I know
there will be a lot of questions and one hr is not enough time?
master_trainer_mike says, "Like I said we will go longer if it is needed.
When new sets come out if there are lots of rules that may be the case."
master_trainer_pat says, "We can always stay here longer if necessary."
PROFESSOR PROGRAM:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #78 from
tr_spraypaint:
ok How do I become a Professor.... and is there any sneak peeks at the
format for the multiplayer... as there is a website that has a version
already made?
master_trainer_mike says, "Details on the Professor Program are up on our
web site. It is an exclusive program for our older players (15 and up) so
that they can share their expertise in the game with the newer and younger
players."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #13 from
gym_leader_blaine:
how is the professor test coming along?
master_trainer_mike says, "Almost there!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #75 from
general_surge:
Will the prof test be up sometime BEFORE the Stadium challenge east region?
master_trainer_mike says, "Soooooon!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #83 from
gym_leader_blaine:
to become a master professor you have to have 5 DCI tournaments under your
belt for the year. Do you plan to have a level three professor program out
this year
master_trainer_mike says, "Currently there are only the two levels. This
program may grow as needed."
master_trainer_mike says, "The Professor Championship to be held at Origins
will be a combination of constructed and draft."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #16 from
general_surge:
Do you know what day the Prof Championship will be during Origins?
master_trainer_mike says, "It will be run on the Saturday of Origins."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #133 from ikendall:
Will there be a fee (other than to enter Origins) for the Prof
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes, all premiere events have fees."
ROCHESTER DRAFT FORMAT:
master_trainer_mike says, "Hopefully some of you have been checking out the
Pokegym boards. We announced lots of new stuff on there like the fact that
the Professor only events at the Stadium Challenges are Rochester Draft."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #163 from matt_moss:
What's the format for the 15+ Trip tournies at the Stadium events?
master_trainer_mike says, "As annouced the Professor Exclusive events at the
Stadium Challenges will be Gym Heroes/Gym Challenge Rochester drafts."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #15 from mt_ice_cold:
please explain rochester draft
master_trainer_pat says, "Rochester Draft in a nutshell."
master_trainer_pat says, "8 players with 6 packs each. 2 get opened at a
time and the cards get laid out on the table."
master_trainer_mike says, "Energies are tossed aside."
master_trainer_pat says, "The person who opened the first packs, starts by
choosing one card."
master_trainer_pat says, "Then you go around the table taking turns when you
reach the last person you reverse and start back the other way"
master_trainer_pat says, "The full instruction are in the Universal
Tournament Floor Rules, on the DCI page."
master_trainer_mike says, "Pokemon Specific Rochester Rules will be posted
soon."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #17 from
gym_leader_blaine:
what is rochester draft? What sets will be used in the draft
master_trainer_pat says, "Rochester-see above/DCI page. In the past we've
used Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #44 from chrisbo:
Will Rochester drafts be DCI-sanctionable, and if so will they count as
"Limited" or will there be a new separate category?
master_trainer_mike says, "Actually since we are only introducing it, only
WOTC will be able to sanction this format at first (at our premiere events).
I will be posting an appendix to the Pokemon Floor rules soon listing how to
do it but it will NOT be sanctionable for anyone else until later in the
year after more testing."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #68 from matt_moss:
How many packs will be used in the Rochester drafts. I know you usually use
2 packs at a time, but the normal pokemon pack amount is 5. So will 4 or 6
packs be used?
master_trainer_mike says, "6 packs."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #143 from chrisbo:
Can you tell us anything more about the Rochester Draft plans? Will there be
a time limit on how long a person is allowed to pick a card? I don't want
the tourney lasting until Midnight (or do I??? grin).
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes, read the Rochester Draft rules on our web
site. It explains all of that. There are time limits."
POKEMON LEAGUE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #6 from toysruskid:
Is the Season Two Tournaments for the Pokemon League have to ONLY have
Fighting Pokemon?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, build your deck however you'd like."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #33 from daytongl:
For the Season 2 Tournament, if we decide to sanction, can we run Age
Modified Swiss instead of single elim?
master_trainer_mike says, "As long as your players are all comfortable with
that sure, we set up single elim as the base so that the event would NOT
take 5-6 hours as most leagues cannot afford that much time."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #138 from lance313:
We're still waiting for our season 2 kit, but want to get a head start on
format changes, if any. Is the season ending tourney standard, Modified, or
other?
master_trainer_mike says, "It is recommended as Unlimited since many people
haven't run tournaments before. It is up to the Gym Leader though to run
what his players want. If they want to Modified you can choose to do that.
If they want to do a booster draft and are willing to pay for the cards
needed, you could do that"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #50 from daddyum:
What is happening with ToysRUs and the League anything new?
master_trainer_mike says, "Officially nothing new, but we are supplying
every store that contacts us."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #61 from ericsmewtwo:
After seeing this Create-A-Snorlax-Contest I'm curious if there will be more
contests like this in the future?
master_trainer_mike says, "Depends on how well this one goes :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #98 from dilo_654:
Can you join the League through the mail or something? I don't really want
to drive for 3-5 hours to join.
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry but no. And you can't be in a bowling
league through the mail either."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #100 from
ericsmewtwo:
How would one go about starting a League?
master_trainer_mike says, "Find a local store that sells the cards like a
book, toy, card, comic, or hobby store. Tell them how having the league
brings in customers to their store every week. You might even volunteer to
run it for them (labor costs are tough for small stores). If they want to
run one, they can contact our Merchant Relations dept. at 1-800-821-8028."
[CHRISBO NOTE: This telephone number is for retail stores only; don't call
it expecting to start up a League in your basement or at the local library.]
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #104 from lance313:
When approaching a store for a league, maybe even offer to finance the kit
costs yourself. You can then charge a small fee (or absorb it) to league
signups. That's what we did to save our league. If it's a small league,
maybe even try to split supplies/costs with a nearby small league.
master_trainer_mike says, "If that works, I would try that too, League costs
are pretty small."
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #23 from
turbocharizard:
Does the classic promo from season 2 (Electabuzz?) still have the foil "Kids
WB presents" stamped on it?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup! It's a Classic!"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #107 from ericsmewtwo:
What classic promo can we expect to see next? And will the Nintendo Power
promos be popping up soon?
master_trainer_pat says, "Due the current status of currency values in
Argentina, we cannot comment on that subject at this time."
master_trainer_pat grins evilly.
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #30 from ericsmewtwo:
Will there be a time when you will re-release the NY promos like you've done
with Electabuzz and Jigglypuff?
master_trainer_mike says, "THE FUTURES SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES!"
master_trainer_pat says, "Maybe. Lucky Stadium is in Neo Destiny with
different art if your just trying to get that card for gameplay purposes"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #49 from dilo_654:
Will there be a version of Lucky Stadium for different cities (like the
Japanese version)?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #51 from ericsmewtwo:
Are there ANY chances of ANY VS. cards being released here in the states?
master_trainer_pat says, "There might be a very, very small, miniscule
chance. Did I say it was small?"
NEO: DESTINY:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #34 from
scyther_trainer:
So, Destiny hasn't been released yet? If been hearing conflicting reports
some say 2/14 some say 2/25? HELP!
master_trainer_pat says, "2/25 is closer to the mark."
master_trainer_mike says, "There is no official release dates per se"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #82 from lucky_cal:
Was the art on the Lucky Stadium card in Neo: Destiny changed from the
Japanese version? Or will it be the first US card with Imakuni?
master_trainer_mike says, "Wait and see!"