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WOTC CHAT REPORT
January 31, 2003 - by CHRISBO

Well, Super Battle Zone is just around the corner (Feb. 15), so there were a lot of questions about that.  But the big buzz this week is the new ruling on how Rainbow Energy is to be played from now on based on the wording of the Aquapolis version (whoa!).  Also, it looks like February's BattleZone promo may have a misprint on it (60hp instead of 70hp); we'll have to wait and see until it's actually released how that one turns out...

Enjoy,
 - CHRISBO

RULINGS CHANGE FOR RAINBOW ENERGY:

master_trainer_mike says, "You may have noticed that Rainbow Energy in Aquapolis is slightly different as it says place a damage counter instead of do 10 damage. That is now how Rainbow energy is to be played. This matches up with the Japanese rules as well."

master_trainer_pat says, "Really? Wow"
master_trainer_mike says, "The only effect I know that may change is attaching Rainbow energy to a Pokemon that already had a Metal Energy on it. Now the Metal WILL NOT prevent that damage counter placement."

BATTLE ZONE / SUPER BATTLE ZONE (Feb.15):

master_trainer_mike says, "You may have noticed that we have just about every Super BattleZone location finally scheduled and up on our web site. The FAQ for that event should be posted soon! I hope you all get out to it as there are very cool trophies and other prizes to win. Heck, I wish I made one for myself they are so cool!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #761 from pokemonfighter:
in sbz does the top player that is 15 and over get a trophy or does the top 15 and up players get trophies
master_trainer_mike says, "There are 2 trophies to win. The highest placing 15 and up player gets the Senior Champion Trophy. The highest placing player aged 14 and under gets the Junior Champion Trophy. There is also a Best Sportsman award for players age 12 and under as well as booster packs and other prizes to be won."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #808 from wizo_pokemom:
are the SBZ limited to the first 50 players?
master_trainer_mike says, "There is only support for 50 players. If a location wants to run more people than that they should be clear that only the first 50 get the badges and promo cards."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #820 from soslowpoke:
Will the Lucky Stadiums given out at SBZ be sealed?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #745 from steelixownzu:
Why are the Super BZ's not at the biggest BZ's like you said? They're mainly where GC's were, and pretty much look like a GC

master_trainer_mike says, "Guys, we chose the locations based upon geographic locations and places that expressed interest as well as folks we have worked with before. If your location wants to run this sort of thing, they actually need to let us know. We don't read minds."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #772 from steve_p:
will the SBZs be two separate tourneys (14-under and 15+), or only one tourney using age-modified?
master_trainer_mike says, "Only 1 age modified tournament. Though some locations may choose to run 2 due to space limitations. That is for the TO to decide and get back to us about that."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #751 from enik_the_sleestak:
what, if any, side events could/should be sanctioned to run concurrently at SBZ?
master_trainer_mike says, "We don't require any side events to be run as this event is open to players of all ages. If a particular location wanted to do so, they certainly could. This is not as big as a Gym Challenge, more of a celebration for BZ stores."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #748 from skywolf9653:
Mike, I have a question re: Superbattlezone, will any advertising be done on the part of WotC to assist us with promotion of the event?

master_trainer_mike says, "We are listing the sites on our web site. I will be talking about them through the Professor list and on the message boards. That is basically it."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #767 from m_p_douglas:
Should SBZ have Finals, or is lots of Swiss Rounds enough?
master_trainer_mike says, "It should cut to the top 8, and then run standard single elim."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #741 from steve_p:
if time permits, can TOs run their SBZ as best-of-3?
master_trainer_mike says, "No. Don't want to confuse the public or new players."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #798 from mt_icecold:
For a SBZ can we cut to match play for Top8?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #760 from enik_the_sleestak:
does SBZ get elevated k-value since it's a "quasi-premier" event? (I'd like to able to play in it instead of always head judging as necessary to get elevated k-value for the events)

master_trainer_mike says, "It is a 24k event."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #757 from marril2000:
for SuperBattleZone, would each professor that's a judge get a master professor point or would it just be the entire event's head judge that gets a point?

master_trainer_mike says, "Just the head judge. This is basically a slightly larger than normal tournament with extra prizes we sent out because we want you all to have fun."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #771 from daytongl:
Will all Professors who volunteer for SBZ get Master Professor Points?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, only the listed TO and head judge. However, I will mention that I am including some extra product for the TO to give out amongst the staff if that helps."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #807 from daytongl:
Are SBZ locations being sent the Delegate Shirts as alluded to in earlier chats?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope. Those shirts will be at premiere events that WE run but not SBZ's."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #804 from marril2000:
will the staff at SuperBattleZone be supplied with staff shirts by any chance?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope. To be clear, Super BattleZone is something that we were able to find some extra budget and time to create for you. Consider it like getting a second helping of your favorite food."

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #740 from indigomaster33:
about the 60HP on the hitmonchan promo, is that going to be errated?
master_trainer_pat says, "Nuts!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Good question! Thought that error had been fixed.....We will have to ask what the answer will be."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #764 from steve_p:
is the 60HP on the Hitmonchan BZ promo an error?
master_trainer_mike says, "It is being looked into."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #786 from tehairyclefairy:
For the moment with Hitmonchan back in modified play can we play with the Base Set 70HP version as it stands?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #782 from tehairyclefairy:
Mike any idea on why BZ promos like Rocket's Scizor have started to appear on ebay from Belgium auctioneers, when no Professor or BZ organiser in the world as far as I know has them yet?

master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, feel free to send us the links so we can track down who is stealing them and have them killed."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #820 from soslowpoke:
Will the Lucky Stadiums given out at SBZ be sealed?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope"  

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