Last week's chat was canceled due to the GenCon convention, but the MT's
made up for it this week. Starting Sep.1st, there will be a brand-new DCI tournament format available, and the STS Qualifiers are going to be using
this format! Also, we have some updates on STS, Promo cards, and the future
of Pokemon League. Read on & enjoy...
NEW DCI-TOURNAMENT "MODIFIED" FORMAT:
master_trainer_mike says, "Now an announcement for you."
master_trainer_mike says, "The West Coast Qualifiers will be using the new
Pokemon format."
master_trainer_mike says, "This new format, called MODIFIED will be
available for sanctioned tournaments starting September 1st"
master_trainer_mike says, "Since the QT's start on the 8th, we thought it
appropriate to use it for the QT's."
master_trainer_mike says, "Currently Modified allows you to use cards from
Team Rocket, Gym Heroes, Gym Challenge, Neo Genesis, Neo Discovery, and
Southern Islands as well as all promo cards we have released EXCEPT for
Ancient Mew and Birthday Pikachu."
master_trainer_mike says, "Also Neo Genesis Sneasel is Banned!"
master_trainer_mike says, "You can use basic energy from other sets but
cannot USE stamped or different color promo cards form sets not allowed (so
no W-stamped Wartortles or Pre-Release Aerodactyls for example)."
master_trainer_mike says, "This format will change over time as new sets
come out, watch the chat and our web site for future changes."
master_trainer_mike says, "This format can start to be sanctioned on
September 1st and will be the format for the WCSTS QT's."
[CHRISBO NOTE: Please note that only the QT's will be using the new format.
The actual WCSTS format has NOT been announced yet and is still to be
determined.]
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #451 from pokesensei:
Mike-mention if they can use promo Psyduck or not.
master_trainer_mike says, "You can of course use Promo Psyduck because it is
a numbered Promo card. It does not matter whether it is a variant of a card
from a previous set. If it is a numbered promo card (black star) it can be
used (with the above exceptions of course)."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #253 from
turbocharizard:
If I'm playing by modified rules, can I use BASIC energy cards from base? (I
don't have any from the newer sets)
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #289 from
the_mystery_thing:
Is mysterious fossil allowed in the new format?
master_trainer_mike says, "Not the Fossil card, no."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #381 from spago_:
Is Southern Islands included in the Modified format?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes."
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes it is!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #343 from poketeen14:
For the new DCI format, will there be a separate rating for that such as
Constructed or Limited?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, there will just be one DCI rating as far as
I know."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #407 from chrisbo:
Just to make sure, the new "Modified" format does not replace "Limited" (aka
Booster Draft) format, does it?
master_trainer_mike says, "Correct, it does not. So you can run Unlimited,
Booster Drafts, and Modified tournaments (starting Sep 1st)."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #369 from yoshi1001:
Will standard and modified go towards the same DCI rating?
master_trainer_mike says, "As far as we know, yes."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #412 from chrisbo:
Currently, DCI rankings for "Constructed" and "Limited" are separate. Does
"Modified" represent a third ranking category, or will points get reflected
as part of your "Constructed" ranking?
master_trainer_pat says, "Modified is just another format for constructed
play."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #393 from yoshi1001:
Is September 1 the first day we can sanction or hold a modified tournament?
master_trainer_mike says, "Correct."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #418 from yoshi1001:
I mean can we sanction modified or hold modified on September 1st?
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok, you cannot even submit the sanctioning
paperwork until September 1st. So I suppose if you lived here in Seattle and
same day mailed it then...."
master_trainer_mike says, "Since you must give advance warning for
sanctioning it is unlikely that you could run a Modified event the day we
start accepting sanctioning for it."
SUPER TRAINER SHOWDOWN:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #281 from
daghettochild_420:
Do you have the format for the WCSTS yet?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nothing to say yet."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #238 from lance313:
Can you verify that the WCSTS will be at the SD Convention Center. It's
listed as such on the Convention Center's website calendar.
master_trainer_pat says, "No we can't confirm officially, but that's a
pretty good indicator"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #239 from
the_wizard_of_odd:
Why did you guys ban Sneasel for the ECSTS AND the WCSTS?
master_trainer_mike says, "Because it is a broken card. Even Japan restricts
it in their tournaments (it is restricted at the TMB this year too)."
master_trainer_mike says, "However, there will be an Unlimited Tournament
side event held each day at the WSTS so you can play in that tournament
instead if you are a fan of Unlimited play."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #294 from
ecsts_winner_jeremy:
Will the day one winner of the WCSTS be able to play on day two?
master_trainer_mike says, "Not in the main tournament no, but they could
play in any of the sanctioned side events we will be running."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #349 from
ecsts_winner_jeremy:
Will you have byes for the WCSTS and if so will it have the same points =
rounds?
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be byes but the points required will
NOT be the same."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #397 from
ecsts_winner_jeremy:
Will it be harder or easier to get the Byes for the WCSTS
master_trainer_mike says, "Harder, the points required will be higher."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #427 from
warrior_sneasel:
Will there be a required number of badges that we need in order to attend
the WCSTS?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, no badges are required, all can attend."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #277 from articjedi:
where do I find the other WCSTS qualifier stops?
master_trainer_mike says, "That info is still being finalized. It will be
available on our web site soon (most likely next week)."
NEO: REVELATIONS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #266 from unownz:
When is Neo3 coming out in the US of A?
master_trainer_mike says, "October/November somewhere in there"
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #243 from
turbocharizard:
How many season 7 promos are there, what are they?
master_trainer_pat says, "Surfing Pikachu #28"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #288 from
turbocharizard:
Is Surfing Pikachu the only season 7 promo?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #245 from
turbocharizard:
Flying Pikachu is a season 8 promo, right?
master_trainer_mike says, "maybe :)"
POKEMON LEAGUE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #290 from
turbocharizard:
Hitmontop is the 250 point promo from season 6 and Trainer Pikachu is the
activity promo for season 6, right?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #370 from
dragona42185:
What season should a pokemon league gym be on at the moment?
master_trainer_pat says, "Most leagues started season 7 last weekend, though
some could be a little behind."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #284 from articjedi:
Is there going to be a victory road season after season 8?
master_trainer_mike says, "No plans for it this year."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #297 from
turbocharizard:
Will there be a Pokemon TCG league Year 3 or Victory Road 2?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes and no."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #429 from articjedi:
So once season 8 is over, you'll start year 3?
master_trainer_mike says, "Year 3 will start in January."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #443 from
roller_coaster_fan:
Ahh...So you do have some info. Our League is behind, will we have time to
play catch-up, or will there be something else?
master_trainer_mike says, "League Year 3 starts in Jan 2002, if a location
hasn't finished Year 2 yet by that time, they will have to decide if they
still want to be behind or catch up with the rest of North America."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #446 from sd_pokemom:
The leagues that are behind, like mine...will we be able to continue to get
our kits, even though League is "over" (for those who started on time)?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes they will, we will support all leagues even
if they are running behind."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #436 from
roller_coaster_fan:
Will the Pokemon League in January be changed to "Modified"?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, the league itself is not sanctioned (though
it may have some sanctioned aspects next year....)"