Hey gang, the Chat server was down last week for Maintenance, so that's why we didn't have a report last week.  The West Coast STS is now only a month away, so you'd better start brushing up on all the rules for the Neo: Revelation Pokémon and the Modified tournament format.  Also, if you're planning on attending the WCSTS, don't forget that you have to pre-register in order to participate in the main tournaments (but there will be a lot of fun side events even if you don't pre-register).  And if you're under 18, you must have a parent or guardian register for you.

Here ya go,

 - CHRISBO

SUPER TRAINER SHOWDOWN:

master_trainer_mike says, "So, I would like to take this time to tell you

that the number of people that have called up and pre-registered for the

next STS is quite low."

master_trainer_mike says, "You do know that in order to participate in the

main tournaments you MUST call and register in advance?"

master_trainer_mike says, "If you don't call customer service at

1-800-324-6496 and register for the STS BEFORE you get there, you will NOT

be allowed to compete in the main events."

darkmt_mike says, "Agents are standing by!"

master_trainer_mike says, "1-800-324-6496"

master_trainer_mike says, "So you MUST call us and pre-register!"

master_trainer_mike says, "Please tell your friends this as well."

master_trainer_mike says, "There will NOT be onsite sign-ups for the main

events."

master_trainer_mike says, "We will cut back the scale of the event if the

numbers stay so low."

master_trainer_mike says, "Don't worry, we will still do it of course but if

you want a full scale, big top, slamma jamma STS, we need your help in

getting out the word."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #126 from

the_mystery_thing:

how many registered so far?

master_trainer_mike says, "about 300 so far."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #147 from sd_pokemom:

How _much_ lower, numbers-wise, is the pre-reg for WCSTS as compared to

ECSTS? 50%? More?

master_trainer_mike says, "About 50% of last year's numbers."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #155 from sd_pokemom:

What time should the main tourney begin and end on both days? How many swiss

rounds are we looking at?

master_trainer_mike says, "The full information on the STS (start times,

etc) are all on our web site at

http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=wcsts2001 . The number of rounds

are based upon the number of participants in an age group. We guesstimate 8

rounds for each group before it goes to the top 8."

darkmt_mike presents the speaker with question #13 from michel1be:

Do the european winners of european STS qualifier have 3 rounds bye in San

Diego too ?

master_trainer_mike says, "Those 14 and under do."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #22 from hi_jynx:

Will Neo Revelation Sneasel be allowed in the STS?

master_trainer_mike says, "Yes it will. Only the Genesis version of Sneasel

is banned."

darkmt_mike presents the speaker with question #23 from pkmnx:

I was reading over the free STS trip contract...do we HAVE to participate on

both days? I was gonna do a day of side tourneys...

darkmt_mike says, "No you don't."

darkmt_mike presents the speaker with question #42 from wizo_sensei:

If a person in one of the 14- age groups wins 1st place, will they be

allowed to play again in a higher age group?

darkmt_mike says, "What? No."

master_trainer_mike says, "Do you mean at the STS or at a QT?"

master_trainer_mike says, "If you win day 1 at the STS, you cannot

participate in the second day main tournament, regardless of what group."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #49 from wizo_sensei:

In the Top 8 of each age group, will it be time limit matches or a decisive

win?

master_trainer_mike says, "There will be time limits."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #159 from hi_jynx:

What will some of the side tourneys formats be like? Should I bring my

pre-Rocket cards just in case?

master_trainer_mike says, "Take a look at the web site at

http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=wcsts2001

<http://www.wizards.com/pokemon/main.asp?x=wcsts2001> . It tells you about

the side events. We will have an Unlimited and also a Modified Constructed

tournament each day (besides the main one). Also booster drafts and Theme

Deck challenges."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #92 from

the_mystery_thing:

how often will the booster drafts start at the sts?

master_trainer_mike says, "The 8 person pick up drafts will be run

throughout each day."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #99 from

the_mystery_thing:

#92: so they'll start whenever 8 people show up wanting to do one?

master_trainer_mike says, "Correct."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #157 from feralshade:

what are the specs for the Gym Draft at the STS? (format, # of boosters

used, etc.)

master_trainer_mike says, "The normal draft rules are each player gets 5

boosters. For Gym it would be 2 Heroes and 3 Challenge."

master_trainer_mike says, "Make 40 card decks, play for 4 prizes."

POKEMON LEAGUE:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #82 from indigomaster33:

uh...um...uh...yea..questions...uh...is there any 2002 pokemon league info you can/will tell us?

master_trainer_mike says, "Starts January 5th, the tagline is Energize your

Game. (that would be a hint)."