Rumor has it that the Pokemon Center store in New York City has begun selling the first Card-E set called "Expedition", and scans are beginning to pop up all over the place. The first controversial card to arise is the new version of the Darkness Energy card; it's almost the same as the Neo: Genesis version, but the wording has changed such that the extra +10 damage is no longer restricted to only the defending Pokemon. This means that your bench is no longer as safe a haven as it used to be ("look out, here comes Murkrow everybody!!"). There was a lot of discussion about this at the Chat this week, and for now we will have to wait until Sep 16th to use it officially in tournament play. Meanwhile, the MT's are going to discuss this with the Rules Team in order to decide whether it will be Errata'd (play the old way) or kept with the new wording. Maybe Pojo should do a poll and see which way people would like for it to be played, hmmm???
Oh yeah, there was news about other Expedition stuff too, along with BattleZone, etc.
Enjoy,
- CHRISBO
NEW WORDING OF DARKNESS ENERGY IN EXPEDITION:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #158 from indigomaster33:
will the darkness energy in expedition re wording
stay as is? or will it be erratad?
master_trainer_pat says, "It is a little
different...but we won't go into details just yet."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #167 from bigchuck001:
There's a big rumor going around saying that with
the new Darkness Energy, things like Murkrow's
feint attack will do 30+ damage to a BENCHED pokemon. Is this true?
master_trainer_mike says, "Good catch
Alex! That is true."
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes."
master_trainer_pat nods solemnly.
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #183 from chrisbo:
So from now on, we are to play Darkness Energy as
written on the Expedition version regardless of which actual card we are using
in our deck, correct?
master_trainer_mike says, "As of 9/16/02 yes."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #184 from monkeyman8889:
what is the ruling for the new dark energy? If
attached to a murkrow does it do 10 extra damage to the bench or is it just
supposed to be played like the neo genesis one
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry, we don't answer these questions until after the official release date."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #227 from bigchuck001:
Ok, just to clarify because I wasn't sure on your
response, would a Murkrow with a Darkness Energy and a Recycle Energy do 30
damage to a benched Pokemon when Expedition comes out?
master_trainer_pat says, "We're going to also clarify that with the rules team. Maybe that was a misprint and we'll have to play it like it's always been played."
EXPEDITION SET:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #190 from pigdeon_of_death:
Is Expedition out yet?
master_trainer_mike says, "Mainly no, 1 store
has an exclusive but the main release is Sept 15th."
[CHRISBO NOTE: FYI - that one store is the Pokemon
Center in New York City.]
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #208 from puritys_echidna:
is the pokemon center going to get exclusive early
release rights for sets from now on, or was expedition a one time deal?
master_trainer_mike says, "no idea"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #181 from soslowpoke:
So is expedition legal for use?
master_trainer_pat says, "On Sept 16th"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #189 from lizardotc:
Re: #175: Not long ago, you stated that there were
no longer official release date for Pokémon. I take it that official release
dates are now back... correct?
master_trainer_pat says, "No, official release dates are not back, but because some stores start selling the new set _way_ before the others has made it so that we need to have a date when the new set would be legal so that this doesn't create an unfair playing field for those that can't get the new cards."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #202 from teamrocket4life:
Will the Coin Flipper on the Chansey E-Card (When
used with the E-Reader) be legal for gameplay purposes?
master_trainer_mike says, "nope"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #255 from bigdaddysnorlax:
Is it true that Expedition Boosters only contain 9
cards?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup, but the 2
cards that were removed were commons."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #268 from soslowpoke:
Are there still 3 uncommons per booster in
expedition?
master_trainer_pat says, "I think its 2
actually"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #249 from snorlaxstampede:
Why does expedition have 9 card boosters?
master_trainer_mike says, "Because e-cards
cost more to make, we didn't raise the price of the packs, and each and every
pack comes with a rare AND a parallel foil. Also
1 in 3 packs also come with a Holo card. So,
1 in 9 packs come with a rare, a parallel foil rare, AND a HOLO!!!!
Not bad huh?"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #261 from soslowpoke:
How do 1 in 9 come with a holo, rare, and reverse
foil?
master_trainer_mike says, "Wait and see.
That ISN'T GUARNTEED BTW!!! Just doing the
math."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #262 from lucky_cal:
Will there be a difference in the parallel foil
cards with the rares that have both holo and non-holo versions?
master_trainer_mike says, "Wait and
see."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #264 from prof_kris:
Since Expedition packs have less cards, would the
recommended number of drafting packs is 6?
master_trainer_mike says, "Realistically, to
keep costs down you would probably still want to use 5, but if you could
afford 6, you would get a better mix."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #265 from michel1be:
Legendary Collection boosters are great for sealed
play. Is it the same with the Expedition boosters ?
master_trainer_pat says, "LC really was set
up more for sealed play. It's unlikely that Expedition will work that
nicely"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #191 from soslowpoke:
Umm where is the basic energy in expedition? :p
master_trainer_mike says, "The theme
decks."
[CHRISBO NOTE: I have heard rumors that there are
no basic energy in the booster packs, but the number of cards in the set still
allows for the inclusion of them as #160 thru #165. This is just rumor
for now, I'm still waiting for theme decks to verify the numbers.]
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #231 from marril2000:
i have heard that boxtoppers from expedition don't
have the "not for play use" on the backs, does this mean if you ever
make basic energy in boxtopper form we could make a deck :P
master_trainer_mike says, "They do have normal card backs but they are so big they would clearly be marked cards in your deck."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #195 from lance313:
Re: Expedition: How many different box toppers are
there?
master_trainer_pat says, "four."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #223 from bulletpokemonmaster:
Do you know if Wizards will make the next 2 Card E
sets?
master_trainer_mike says, "That's the
plan!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #234 from soslowpoke:
Hmm if there are only 4 boxtoppers in Expedition,
and the numbers on the boxtoppers have a /12 on them, does this mean that
there will be 4 in expedition, 4 in (don't want to spoil the name for anyone)
carde2/3 and 4 in whatever set comes after that?
master_trainer_mike says, "Maybe, rabbit, maaaybe."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #236 from snorlaxstampede:
Do you know when the E-card Reader will be
released.
master_trainer_mike says, "I have heard that
there will be a small allotment released in November in the US and another
small allotment near Xmas in the US. That
might not be true though."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #241 from teamrocket4life:
Could there ever possibly be a bundle package
with, say, the E-Card Reader and a Theme Deck?
master_trainer_mike says, "Probably not,
Nintendo makes the reader, we make the cards, that isn't a likely combo."
POKEMON LEAGUE / BATTLE ZONE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #172 from teamrocket4life:
Any new details you can give us on BattleZone?
master_trainer_mike says, "It is moving
forward and will start in November."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #178 from bulletpokemonmaster:
Anything yet on Battle Zone? and when its suppose
to start?
master_trainer_mike says, "It is a low cost,
flexible event support kit will provide participation and prize promo cards.
It can be used for simplified league play as well if that is what the store
chooses. It starts in November, more details to come."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #187 from lizardotc:
Will Battle Zone supplement league, or will it
REPLACE league?
master_trainer_mike says, "Replace
League."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #204 from marril2000:
now does battlezone by any chance involve those
crazy green star stampers ;)
master_trainer_mike says, "nope"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #193 from sd_pokemom:
Will those of us unfortunate to have Leagues which
are behind in getting kits be able to get the kits we've missed, even when
BattleZone starts?
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be a limited window to do so yes, but eventually we are trying to get everyone running at the same time."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #161 from daytongl:
Any idea of when the MPs or Profs can expect the
marketing materials for BattleZone?
master_trainer_mike says, "We hope to have
information up about that part of the Professor program next week."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #174 from michel1be:
Is Battlezone for USA only or is it for Europe too
?
master_trainer_mike says, "Different markets
have their own plans. I believe it will be coming out in Europe as well
though."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #212 from calathon:
Do we have to build robots for BattleZone?
master_trainer_mike says, "ROBOTECH!!!!"
master_trainer_pat says, "Giant Firebreathing
Robots.."
[CHRISBO NOTE: Sorry, but this just made me laugh
too loud to not include this :).]
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #169 from bulletpokemonmaster:
Is Promo #50 the promo from the pokemon center New
York? and is it possibly Unown R?
master_trainer_pat says, "Don't know. We have
not heard any plans to release Unown R"
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS NEWS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #245 from soslowpoke:
Ever plan on doing "Fat Packs" for
Pokemon?
master_trainer_mike says, "No plans at this
time."
master_trainer_pat says, "Hmmm...there will
be some Pokemon Big Box sets at Toys R Us that include the Trainer Video and a
bunch of packs (maybe even some
international ones) for a good price"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with
question #260 from chrisbo:
Do you guys know if the Trainer Video to be
included in the "Big Box" has been updated, or is it the same one
we've had for a couple of years now?
master_trainer_pat says, "Same one."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with
question #252 from teamrocket4life:
Could you ever bring back those cool little glass
bead damage counters? Even if it raises the price of a theme deck a little?
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry, too many people thought they were candy."