Well, since this was the first week the MT's would be answering Neo: Destiny
questions, the bulk of the Chat was very rules-oriented due to all the new cards. However, there was still some other news to be found. They have
finally announced the cities for the Midwest and West Stadium Challenges (still waiting to hear about the location for Worlds, though). Also the
Professor Program is doing really well too.
Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
CHALLENGE SERIES:
master_trainer_mike says, "Also the dates for the next 2 Stadium Challenges
have been finalzed, posted on the boards, and will be up on the web site
soom."
master_trainer_mike says, "April 20th in Rosemont/Chicago area"
master_trainer_mike says, "and June 8th in San Diego"
master_trainer_mike says, "Full details to come on the web site very soon."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #367 from
indigomaster33:
when will we know where worlds will be?
master_trainer_pat says, "We're still waiting for a finalization of the
contract...the announcement will have to wait, sorry."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #419 from lance313:
Will there be pre-registration for the Stadium events, ala the STSs?
master_trainer_pat says, "No."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #416 from purity1:
will the side events at the stadiums be open to all age groups?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes they will.,"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #417 from
michael_3188:
Do you have to win a Gym challenge to play in the main event at the Worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "You have to win at a Gym Challenge, or Stadium
Challenge to get a trip to Worlds. More invitations will be given out to top
ranked DCI players and some high finishers from the last 2 STS's (this does
not include trips though)."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #380 from
gym_leader_blaine:
how is that stadium event going to work with the challenge tournaments
running after june 8th
master_trainer_mike says, "Let me clarify. The Gym Challenges AND the
Stadium Challenges are separate events that all lead up to the World
Championship. Gym Challenges are smaller and local, Stadiums are bigger and
Regional. Hope that helps."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #445 from sd_pokemom:
Will the TOs of the Stadium Challenges need any assistance from the local
Professors for judging, etc?
master_trainer_mike says, "That is up to each TO. If you are interested in
offering to help, email custserv@wizards.com and they can forward it on for
you. But I know that they should have enough staff and Professors should try
and play in the Challenge held for them if they can. Offering to help is
greatly appreciated though."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #418 from daytongl:
Say I should happen to win a Professor event at a Stadium Challenge. Am I
still able to play at the Professor Championship? If I am allowed to play,
and just happen to win that (boy, I'm really dreaming here), would the trip
go to 2nd place?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes it would."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #388 from matt_moss:
Is there any way of getting WotC organized 15+ tournaments at every gym
tournament, parallel to the 11-14 and 10-, aside from the trips. Possibly
with new formats and basically run and controlled by WotC? I just want more
chances to play, and side events only bring in about 20-30 people, which is
barely worth going to, and they also get little attention, if any. I just
want more chances to play, and possibly more constructed formats to tinker
around with.
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope. We have provided prize support for the Gym
Challenges and almost all of them plan on running 15+ side events. You will
have plenty of chances to play."
PROFESSOR PROGRAM:
master_trainer_mike says, "Also a thank you to those of you who have already
registered as Pokemon Professors."
master_trainer_mike says, "Hope to see many of you competing at the
professor Challenges at the Stadiums and at the Professor Championships at
Origins."
master_trainer_mike says, "The exclusive email list for you will be up very
soon too."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #385 from pokesensei:
Hey Mike, what's the current # of registered professors?
master_trainer_mike says, "About 160 so far."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #381 from
gym_leader_blaine:
how soon till we see the master professor online?
master_trainer_mike says, "As we get programs running, that will appear
soon. Variable K is still being worked out."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #497 from daytongl:
Are the TOs for the Gym Challenges being advised/persuaded to seek out local
Professors for Judges/Event Staff?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes, but keep in ind that this is a new program.
There are only so many registered Professors at this time and the TO's have
to get their staff lined up very early. We have made them aware of the list
of Professors though."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #404 from
general_surge:
What kind of prizes might we expect to see for the Prof/Wizards Challenge?
master_trainer_mike says, "You mean the special event I am holding for you
at Worlds? Hmmmm, many cool things young padawan :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #496 from
general_surge:
When do you think the team battles will be started?
master_trainer_mike says, "We will have Professors starting to play test the
rules for us soon."
POKEMON LEAGUE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #398 from serialjoe:
How are the league negotiations going with toys r us? (crosses fingers)
master_trainer_mike says, "They have already said that any of their stores
that want to run the League can do so. We are pushing them to send a letter
out form their corporate office to each of their stores letting them know
that."
OTHER:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #505 from
gym_leader_blaine:
mike when are you guys shooting for the rewards program with pokemon
master_trainer_mike says, "Well, the Professor Program has blossomed into
something bigger than originally planned (which is great). With all of the
new formats (Rochester, Team Multiplayer) new sets (Destiny and the future),
working on new rulings lists and so on, the Player Rewards program will be a
little later this year than originally planned. Probably after the Summer."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #485 from oiwondr:
what do you think the future of pokemon tcg is?
master_trainer_mike says, "There are so many companies and people involved,
it always nail biting."
master_trainer_pat says, "I think that if we can get a good draft
environment going, the outlook would be better."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #488 from sd_pokemom:
What sets would you suggest using for draft?
master_trainer_mike says, "Good question. Gym Heroes and Challenge work
bets."
master_trainer_mike says, "Or you can do Rocket and Genesis."
master_trainer_mike says, "Or Maybe Genesis and Revelation"
master_trainer_mike says, "Or Genesis and Destiny"
master_trainer_mike says, "We tried Revelation and Destiny and I thought it
went ok."
master_trainer_pat says, "I wasn't impressed with Revelation/Destiny...too
many dead evolutions. In other words, evolutions that you can't get the full
line from."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #508 from oiwondr:
are there any plans to make playing online easier?
master_trainer_mike says, "We do not have the rights to do anything with
online play for the TCG."