Hey everybody, didja miss me? The past few weeks' Chats were postponed due
to various reasons (MTM in Europe, Central Stadium Challenge, etc.), but we're finally back on track now. Fortunately, other than a lot of Challenge
Series events taking place around the world, there hasn't really been much news to report lately anyway. But, we'll give you the latest that we have
on "Legendary Collection", the Challenge Series events, and any other news that's fit to print.
Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
CHALLENGE SERIES / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #6 from pokesensei:
Hey Mike! The Chicago Challenge was a blast! What's your opinion on how it all went?
master_trainer_mike says, "It went fine though the numbers were lower than we hoped for."
master_trainer_mike says, "Thank you to all the Professors that came and volunteered. The event was very well staffed."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #21 from monkeyman8889:
Do you know when the World Championship Format will be said?
master_trainer_mike says, "Official info will be up on the web soon but we can tell you that for the main tournaments for 10 and under, and 11-14, you
will need to build Modified decks using the upcoming Modified format. Meaning cards from Team Rocket, Gym Heroes, and Gym Challenge will no longer
be allowed."
master_trainer_mike says, "That is NOT the case for the remaining Challenge events though, ONLY for worlds itself."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #35 from bubbi_guru:
How many sets are PLANNED to come out before worlds...to add to the card pool?
master_trainer_mike says, "at least one"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #38 from monkeyman8889:
So the format for worlds will be all the neo sets AND any new upcoming sets you make before then? aka Legendary Collection?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes. That's the plan so far..."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #36 from bubbi_guru:
about how many people will be in each age category at worlds? seeing as how
you guys are controlling the number of people allowed to play in the main
events?
master_trainer_mike says, "We are giving out trips for roughly 50 10 and
under, and 100 11-14 but there will be more invitations than trips so can't
be sure how many people will come and play."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #37 from bubbi_guru:
I hear that on the second day of the worlds event there will be a professor
only tournament...what format will it be?
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be the Wizards/Professor Challenge
held on the second day ONLY for Pokemon Professors that come and put in at
LEAST 4 hours of work at the event."
master_trainer_mike says, "Format has not yet been announced. You will have
the chance to play directly against us though."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #52 from
professor_chris:
How many Professors do you estimate will be needed to help at the Worlds
event?
master_trainer_mike says, "Dunno, we will need a small number for judges for
the main tournaments but we also use Professors for the side events,
registration, information, deck checks, cleaning, arranging, and so on."
master_trainer_mike says, "If a Professor wants to work so they can play in
the special tournament, we will find something for them to help with."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #62 from jay_lv99:
the professors will have to clean?!?!
master_trainer_mike says, "They can help us keep the place organized, yes."
master_trainer_mike says, "Relax, Professors don't do windows :)"
master_trainer_pat says, "Right after we have a sheep shearing contest in
the main hall"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #64 from michel1be:
How will you decide if a Prof will be judge, at registration, ... ?
master_trainer_mike says, "That is determined by who shows up, what
experience they have, and so on."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #42 from bubbi_guru:
Why are the drafts for pokemon professor trips Rochester? Why not have it
regular?
master_trainer_mike says, "Because Rochester takes more skill, Professors
are supposed to be the most skilled."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #23 from lance313:
Which boosters are going to comprise the Rochester draft pool at the West
Stadium? Gym Heroes/Challenge?
master_trainer_pat says, "Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #8 from lance313:
Any word on whether the next set scheduled to be released will be
available/legal for the West Stadium?
master_trainer_mike says, "That is still iffy."
master_trainer_mike says, "When we know for sure, you will know for sure."
LEGENDARY COLLECTION (formerly called "Champions"):
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #20 from chrisbo:
Is there a tentative date when "Legendary Collection" (formerly "Champions")
is scheduled to be released yet?
master_trainer_pat says, "No, it's changed several times now. Were _hoping_
late May or June."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #34 from chrisbo:
I understand that each card in "Legendary Collection" is going to have a
parallel foil card. Does this mean that there is going to be a foil in every
pack (at least for L.C.)?
master_trainer_pat says, "maybe..."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #47 from mini_mech:
how many cards are in the new set
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #48 from calathon:
how many cards per LC pack; 15, or 11?
master_trainer_mike says, "No details to give you yet."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #60 from
professor_chris:
Can you tell us if there will be any new (to us) cards in Legendary
Collection?
master_trainer_pat says, "I don't think so. If there is, there will only be
a few."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #93 from chrisbo:
In your opinion, do you think "Legendary Collection" will be conducive for
drafting on its own, or do you think it would be better combined with other
expansions?
master_trainer_mike says, "It will make a very good drafting and sealed play
set all on its own (that is part of its design)."
POKEMON LEAGUE:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #22 from marril2000:
mike, if a league was to take place this coming sunday (april 28th), what
season and week number should it be according to the official wizards league
calendar (we lost count over here)
master_trainer_mike says, "That would be the second week of Season 4 (the
Grass Season)."
PROMOS & OTHER FUTURE SETS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #7 from michel1be:
MTM, could you confirm that you played new Mew and Electabuzz promos in
Rainham [UK]? Some people think we're crazy !
master_trainer_mike says, "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't (hee hee hee)."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #28 from ericsmewtwo:
Okay, serious this time. Has there been any talk about there possibly being
a WotC promo packaged with the GBA Pokemon game? I mean, y'know the games
gonna sell, heh.
master_trainer_pat says, "We have not heard anything about any plans like
that."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #49 from jay_lv99:
Have you decided whether or not to release Unown R? what about the VS set?
master_trainer_mike says, "No plans for either."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #59 from michel1be:
are there still plans for CardsE and for the Wizards set ?
master_trainer_pat says, "We're still working on other sets, but at this
time that's all I can say."
MT_MIKE'S EUROPEAN ADVENTURES:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #72 from chrisbo:
So Mike, tell us about your trip to Europe. What were some of the
highlights?
master_trainer_mike says, "Briefly, the European WOTC employees were all
great! Glad to meet and greet and talk with them."
master_trainer_mike says, "Lee from the UK office took Jaime and I around,
he was fabulous!"
master_trainer_mike says, "The Gym Challenge we went to was in a quaint old
building with a pub in it."
master_trainer_mike says, "It was run by Professors, a bit disorganized at
first but they did a great job and the kids all had fun (which is the most
important)."
master_trainer_mike says, "Their deck tech was very similar to what I've
seen here."
master_trainer_mike says, "BUT, the food in the UK, not so good."
master_trainer_mike says, "Don't ever ask for the bacon, that's all I'll
say."
master_trainer_mike says, "make sure to ask for Crispy Bacon."
master_trainer_mike says, "The kebab I had was great but that's Lebanese."
master_trainer_mike says, "The Indian food I had was great but that's
Indian."
master_trainer_pat says, "Do they have burritos?"
master_trainer_mike says, "The UK food? I guess I don't like their quality
of meat over there (mad cow anyone?)"
master_trainer_mike says, "Kidding?!?!?!?!"
master_trainer_mike says, "But everyone was very friendly and London was
beautiful."
master_trainer_mike says, "Even saw Phantom of the Opera!"
master_trainer_mike says, "And their train and T lines ROCK!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Mind the gap please!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Mind the gap!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #80 from michel1be:
MTM, what's your opinion about the Rainham (UK) Gym Challenge ?
master_trainer_mike says, "The player's were motivated and had fun! Many
people tried their first booster draft there. It was fun teaching them how
to do it."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #86 from jay_lv99:
re#72 can you actually order mad cow? LOL
master_trainer_mike says, "ummm, no"