Well we've got more info for ya regarding Worlds and the upcoming Expedition
set.
Also, although they didn't mention it directly during the Chat, the prize structure for Worlds has recently been upgraded (see
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=pokemon/events/worldsfaq
for full details). Winners of the main 10 & Under and 11-14 tournaments will earn a
trip to attend the Tropical Mega Battle in Hawaii (either as a player or as a reporter, depending on age) along with a "Lots of Pokemon" package
consisting of a box from each expansion set that WOTC has released (that's like 12 boxes, wow!!). Also, since the Expedition PreRelease tourney had to
be canceled, the "Theme Deck Sealed Challenge" on Sunday will give the winners Expedition booster packs (to be mailed at a later date), and 1st
Place will receive one box of each future Card-E expansion as they become released, FOR LIFE (or as long as WOTC continues to make Card-E, whichever
comes first).
Finally, it looks our beloved "Dark Apprentice Steve" has finally earned his
"wings" (or should I say "horns"?, GRIN). Apparently he is now "Dark Master
Steve"; look out world (and congrats to ya, DMS)!!!
Anyway, on with the show! Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
DARK APPRENTICE STEVE'S "PROMOTION":
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #1 from mt_icecold:
Dark Apprentice Steve is a master now eh?
darkmaster_steve says, "Always have been, they just thought that I wasn't
good enough,"
master_trainer_pat says, "Heck ya...he has been ever since he finished the
Meowth Balloon"
darkmaster_steve says, ""Roar""
master_trainer_pat says, "Gosh that thing is ugly though"
master_trainer_pat smirks.
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #75 from lance313:
Wait a minute. Where have I been? When did DAS become DMS?
darkmaster_steve says, "I have always been DMS. :) it was all an illusion."
master_trainer_pat says, "Hey now"
darkmaster_steve says, "Disbelieve!"
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Seattle WA, Aug. 3-4):
master_trainer_pat says, "Hey here's a couple of announcements that MT Mike
wanted me to share..."
master_trainer_pat says, "First, the Friday Grinder tournament at Worlds
will be single elimination...many of us here in Customer Service were
misinformed that it was Swiss rounds"
master_trainer_pat says, "Also, if you are not going to be playing in the
Friday Grinder, please do not come to the Convention Center. There won't be
any other events going on and we have limited space"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #45 from lance313:
You said if we are not PLAYING in the grinder, don't come down. So, I take
it you don't want any of us to come and WORK it? :p
master_trainer_pat says, "I was talking about players...I was just trying to
say that there are no side events going on that day and nothing else to do
if you are not in the Grinder itself (or working it, as you said)"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #50 from prof_kris:
MTP, you said that people not playing in the grinder should not be at the
center, but what about Professors, do we show up or only if we are told so?
master_trainer_pat says, "I hope you caught my answer early."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #24 from bigchuck001:
Where should the Professors that won trips go to on Friday night?
master_trainer_pat says, "You can check out Seattle...Gameworks is really
close"
master_trainer_pat says, "We heard the hotel has a gaming room set up too"
master_trainer_pat says, "If you are asking about meeting times or
something...we don't know either."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #54 from soslowpoke:
Does GameWorks in Seattle have a nobody under the age of 21 after 9PM rule?
master_trainer_pat says, "They used to have that after 10 pm, but I have not
been for a couple months...I don't know if it's still in effect."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #59 from prof_kris:
When you said the hotel is going to have a gaming room, is it the Crowne
Plaza and does that mean that anyone can show up there and play?
master_trainer_pat says, "It is the Crowne Plaza and there will be an area
to play, but it's a limited amount of space."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #26 from soslowpoke:
What time should we be there to register for side events (especially the
ones that have limited entrance) at Worlds?
darkmaster_steve says, "door open at 9 AM, feel free to be there early."
master_trainer_pat says, "Well, doors open at 9"
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #29 from soslowpoke:
Will the Team Multiplay tournament at Worlds have a lunch break? And how
long of one?
darkmaster_steve says, "Depends on what time it gets started, and other
stuff, most likely there will be a lunch break though."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #33 from soslowpoke:
When registering for the Team Multiplayer tourney at Worlds, do both players
have to be present, or could I just register myself and my teammate, and
he/she will come when its time to play?
darkmaster_steve says, "If you are going to cover your opponents cost has
well, sure."
master_trainer_pat says, "We think that's how it will work."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #68 from soslowpoke:
The cost for TMP Sealed at worlds is $25 for a team right? Not $25 per
person..
darkmaster_steve says, "25 for the team."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #37 from soslowpoke:
Will all theme decks be used in the Theme Deck Challenge at Worlds?
darkmaster_steve says, "all sort's will be used."
master_trainer_pat says, "No, there are some we just don't have in stock
anymore."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #70 from soslowpoke:
Ughh will Gym Theme Decks be used in the theme deck Challenge at worlds?
darkmaster_steve says, "possibly, not sure yet still."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #71 from mt_icecold:
For the theme deck challenge will they not use team rocket decks as they are
obviously weaker than most others.
darkmaster_steve says, "All sort of theme decks will be used. Keep in mind
you get boosters to make the decks better, 3 boosters in fact,"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #87 from articjedi:
sorry about the endless questions about the theme deck challenge, but do we
get to choose the theme deck?
master_trainer_pat says, "No."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #64 from soslowpoke:
Will king Ra-Ra be making an appearance at Worlds?
master_trainer_pat says, "We heard rumors about that, but nothing for
certain yet. We hope so."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #3 from bigchuck001:
Is the "Lots of Pokemon" prize at worlds actually a box from all 12 sets?
master_trainer_pat says, "Right...non-1st edition of course"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #17 from bigchuck001:
One of the prizes at worlds is Card E for life. How many sets of card E do
you expect to release?
darkmaster_steve says, "that would be Pokemon E, and you get one that has to
last you for life, :)"
darkmaster_steve says, "actually it is probably one box of boosters for each
set."
TROPICAL MEGA BATTLE (Hawaii, late-Aug):
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #28 from michel1be:
A trip to the TMB is one of the winner's prizes at Worlds. Will there be
other players invited at the TMB and how will they be chosen ?
master_trainer_pat says, "If there are(no one has told us yet) there will be
very, very few"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #30 from mt_icecold:
Can you explain what the tropical mega battle is?
master_trainer_pat says, "It is TPC(the Pokemon Company's) main Pokemon
event for the year."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #61 from bigchuck001:
why are you only allowed to play in the TMB if you're 12 and under
master_trainer_pat says, "That's the guidelines for their event. You have to
realize this is not a WotC tournament. It is for The Pokemon Company and
they determine the guidelines. I think (not entirely sure) that we were
asked to help set it up, but it still is by their guidelines."
EXPEDITION (aka Card-E):
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #86 from
scyther_trainer:
When will Expedition be available in stores? and will the packs be
distributed like LC?
master_trainer_pat says, "Sept. 16th"
master_trainer_pat says, "I don't know how the distribution will be handled"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #4 from soslowpoke:
How many cards are in the Expedition set?
master_trainer_pat says, "We don't know yet."
master_trainer_pat says, "or we just can't say."
master_trainer_pat says, "one or the other"
darkmaster_steve says, "Meowth keeps eating the prints,"
master_trainer_pat says, "D'oh!"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #8 from soslowpoke:
Will Expedition be printed in 1st edition?
master_trainer_pat says, "No."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #27 from soslowpoke:
(gasp) Why won't there be 1st edition anymore?
master_trainer_pat says, "It became a problem with ordering the product.
People would _only_ buy it if it was 1st edition and there is only a limited
amount of that as you know."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #18 from soslowpoke:
Will Expedition have the PokemonPower/Pokemon Body Breakup like the Japanese
set had, or will they all just be Pokemon Powers?
master_trainer_pat says, "I don't know how they're doing the text templating
on those yet. We'll have to see,"
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #23 from soslowpoke:
Will Expedition be using the "Supporter" rule for some Trainer cards?
darkmaster_steve says, "possibly, we don't know just yet."
GENCON GAMING CONVENTION:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #51 from yoshi1001:
What's the status of the Expedition prerelease event at Gen Con?
darkmaster_steve says, "cross fingers, and paws, and anything else you can
cross."
master_trainer_pat says, "Cross your fingers..."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #81 from soslowpoke:
Has the Expedition Prerelease been scheduled for GenCon yet?
darkmaster_steve says, "not yet"
master_trainer_pat says, "Nope. We're hoping they have the cards for us by
then..."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #46 from soslowpoke:
Could you explain how the Pokemon Arena league at GenCon will be run, how it
works, and what prizes there'll be?
darkmaster_steve says, "Play games, pull random Prizes, anything from energy
to free packs of cards. Have fun."
master_trainer_pat says, "That's about it...it is super simple way to earn
free cards and, if you're lucky, some good foils."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #80 from soslowpoke:
At the Pokemon League at GenCon, will there be prizes for top finishes (with
points) like last year?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #25 from lizardotc:
Will you be needing any Professors to help at GenCon? If so, will they be
able to earn points toward Master status and whom should they contact?
master_trainer_pat says, "I suppose we will, but once again that's something
that Mike sets up."
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #14 from soslowpoke:
Can you announce what promo 48 yet? (some of us already know it ;)
master_trainer_pat says, "If only some of you know...let's let the others
find out."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #36 from steelixownzu:
Is the water season promo Omastar? I've heard that, but I'm not sure...
darkmaster_steve says, "shh!"
master_trainer_pat says, "Nooooo."
darkmaster_steve presents the speaker with question #74 from articjedi:
is the water season promo articuno?
darkmaster_steve says, "it may be meowth, you never know with that cat, (but
I don't think he likes water)"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #40 from soslowpoke:
What's the foil Energy for Season 8 of league?
master_trainer_pat says, "You mean you don't know yet!"
master_trainer_pat says, "SoSlowpoke doesn't know a promo!"