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WOTC CHAT REPORT
February 7, 2003 - by CHRISBO

Lots of rulings questions about Aquapolis this week; this is turning out to be a pretty interesting expansion!  Other than that, there were more than a few questions about Super Battle Zone coming up next week.  And finally, we have a rough estimated time frame for Skyridge.

Enjoy,
 - CHRISBO

SKYRIDGE:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #881 from cyberdude:
what sets are after aquapolis? - do you know when they'll be out in australia? have ruby and sapphire come out yet? do you know when they'll be out in australia?

master_trainer_mike says, "I don't know about Australia, sorry. Skyridge is the next set after Aquapolis."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #880 from neo_fox:
What's the ETA for Skyridge... or do you guys have no comment?
master_trainer_mike says, "Aprilish."

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

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #897 from pokemonbigguy:
In the upcoming Super battlezone, do under 14 compete against over 15 class?
master_trainer_mike says, "There is only one tournament, it is run using the age modified rules which means that it attempts to pair players of the same records with players of similar ages. There is a trophy for the highest finishing player age 14 and under (Junior Champion), and the highest finishing player age 15 and up. There is also a Good Sportsmanship Award for the best Sportsman aged 12 and under. Also lots of Aquapolis to go to the top 8 players and oversized promos for the top 16 and the first 50 players all get badges and a promo card as well."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #869 from daytongl:
The SBZ FAQ says that all players will get the lanyards and promo. Is this a change to the initial info that the kit will support 50 players?

master_trainer_mike says, "No, the kits come with materials to support 50 players. Even last years Gym Challenges mostly had less than 50 players. So, there are materials to support the first 50 players to be clear."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #840 from farbsman:
So are the two age divisions combined at the SBZ?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup. One tournament for players of all ages, using the age modified swiss system."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #836 from m_p_douglas:
If we have a big store that has lots of tables, go ahead and run one big Age Modified Swiss Tourney, correct? Even if there are two areas to run the event in? I am assisting a Master Professor with this so I just wanted to be sure what you want.

master_trainer_mike says, "SBZ is set up for the locations to run 1 tournament, with players of all ages participating in it. A few locations may have split it into two tournaments for the different groups (they could do that if they wanted) but they still only get one kit with the same amount of prizes."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #859 from gym_leader_blaine:
so what happens if a SBZ TO decided to run it unlimited instead of modified
master_trainer_mike says, "They had better not. I understand there was some communication errors and we are sorry about that. However, a TO that chooses to run a premiere event in a way different than what we asked of them will not be asked to ever do one again."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #834 from soslowpoke:
will you possibly include any extra promos for the TO to give out to staff at sbz?
master_trainer_mike says, "The SBZ kits come with extra displays of Aquapolis product for the TO and Head Judge to distribute as a thank you to the staff."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #899 from pokemonbigguy:
Is there going to be any more super battlezone or just the ones on Feb 15 or 16
master_trainer_mike says, "If these go well, you may see them again. So behave yourselves!! :)"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #883 from cyberdude:
with the 3rd league - it's designed around 32 players - but there aren't any spares in the league kit - if we get 32 players - then 2 leave - then 2 more come - we have to order another kit - will the following leagues have extra?

master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, the kits are made for 16 players. If you have more than that, get extra kits."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #839 from daytongl:
The Delegate Shirts are still available to BZ Leaders who have run the events for a minimum of 3 months, correct?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes they will be."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #894 from wizo_pokemom:
how long does it take for a store which has been delegated and says it wants to be contacted by merchant services to set up an account?

master_trainer_mike says, "Our sales department is mucho busy. They told me a few days ago that they had been unable to contact those stores right away but are doing so now. If a store wants to get involved with our programs, their best bet is to contact us (the contact info is on the sales sheets I sent the Delegates to give to the store)."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #841 from ukpokemonpro:
Can you tell us who is looking into the UK's BZ situation as we were told 3 weeks ago that we would get the kits in the next week or 2.

master_trainer_mike says, "They are looking into it. Apparently there have been some internal issues that we can't go into. They are trying to get them over there."

PREMIERE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #870 from gym_leader_blaine:
How do us Master Professors get signed up to run all the Pokemon WOTC tournaments in our area so they don't always go to the Premium Magic TO in the area?

master_trainer_mike says, "If you are a TO, and you want to start running premiere events, you need to write in and let us know. You can let Linda know when you sanction events through her, or you could email the Professor list and I can pass it on. Keep in mind that you must have some experience before we will give such an event to you in most cases."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #892 from gym_leader_blaine:
so to run Premiere Pokemon events I need to email Linda Roberts to get my name on a list? Right?
master_trainer_mike says, "What I meant is that you need to let us know if you are interested in becoming a premiere TO. That does not guarantee that you will become one but it is part of the process.  It also comes down to where you are located (if we want events in that area), your experience (how many events you have run in the area and your history), how well you report event results and so on."

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #907 from farbsman:
Can you tell us what Promo #53 Suicune does yet?
master_trainer_pat says, "We think it is functionally the same as the one in Aquapolis...it will have a different bar code on it though and different art... We think that the bar code will play the theme song from the movie or something"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #906 from marril2000:
hmm... if you had the ability to change any one card in the game that has already been printed (any card just saying that TPC said go for it), what would you change and why?

master_trainer_mike says, "How about changing the HP on Hitmonchan???"
master_trainer_mike says, "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
master_trainer_pat nods solemnly.
master_trainer_mike says, "I kill me......"
master_trainer_mike says, "user error"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #909 from chrisbo:
Re Q906 Oh yeah, that reminds me... How *are* we supposed to play the new promo Hitmonchan? With 60hp or 70hp?
master_trainer_mike says, "I had to bring it up........ For now, play these cards as they are printed. We will get an official answer soon."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #911 from mysterioustrainer:
So can we use Base Set Hitmonchan in Modified?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes you can!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #914 from daytongl:
RE: 911 We play it with 60 or 70HP?
master_trainer_mike says, "You play the card as it is written!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #915 from pigdeon_of_death:
Re: 909 Meaning if we had the promo in our MF decks, it would have 60 HP, and base would have 70?
master_trainer_mike says, "For now, yes!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #916 from dugtrio_1951:
So now we have Hitmonchans with both 60 and 70 HP legal in Modified? o_O
master_trainer_mike says, "FOR NOW!!! YES!!!!!!!"

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