OK, have to report on this one.

 

At the Gathering Ground in St. Louis on Saturday we had a GREAT turnout for the Prerelease, and as a special treat, we held a HUGE afterdraft after the event.

 

We got 8 players to play in an 18 pack pass-draft after the main event.

 

Every player got one half of a box to pass draft (in essence guaranteeing them the level X), and there were 3 packs tossed in a “Winner Take All” Prize Pool – 24 packs for the winners!

 

As you know with Pass-draft, there is no limit of 4 of a card to a deck, and with 18 packs being passed, there were some massive lines being drafted.  The limit of 40 cards to the deck REALLY hampered some creativity, as several players stated they could make 80 card decks with what they drafted.

 

Fascinating decks.

 

Single elimination, as it was winner-take-all.  8 drafters (No ZZ, WHERE WERE YOU?) and it took about 35 minutes to get through all 8 packs.  These were all experienced drafters (even the 7 year old) so all went quick.

 

Just so you don’t think the 7 year old was “Fodder” he built a really cool Empoleon/Vigoroth deck (he discovered Slaking was a waste), and won his top 8 match over a former Worlds Player!

 

He then got seated across from the “Master of the Midwest” Colin Moll, who had him typed.  Colin starts with Electrike, Alex starts with Piplup.  Colin goes first…attaches, attacks.  Alex looks worried, draws his card, and asks “Do you have it?”  Alex attacks, but Colin drops the Manectric, and the card he top decked…the Crobat G, to add the damage counter, second energy to Manectric, and knock out the lone piplup for the win.  Alex was disappointed to have only gotten one turn, but shook the hand, and turned in the energy.  I think Colin was a bit embarrassed about how quick the game went, but took the win in stride!

 

Other bracket had Dark Jake and his G deck take out Newman, who understood at the end of the match not only the power of the G Pokemon, but the power of being able to play 6 Poketurns, and 6 Energy Gains in a deck!  Dark Jake had this one in hand.

 

Bela took out Copper in what I believe was another victory for a G deck.

 

Dark Jake and Bela had a relatively close game, with DJ taking it out on time…which lead us to the finals game…

 

24 Packs on the Line…Dark Jake versus Colin…2 of the best players of the area!!

 

Will the speed of Manectric be too much?  Will the recovery of the G Pokemon frustrate Manectric and his friends??

 

We will never know.  They split the 24 packs. 

 

Great job, great events.  This is GOING to become a tradition for the final Saturday’s draft.  I loved it, and I think the players liked it.

 

Wait until you see the surprises for side events at States and Regionals!  Both in St. Louis this year!

 

More to report on later!

 

Vince