Have you checked your DCI ranking lately? Chances are you're in for a big
surprise (one way or another). The DCI has revised their ranking (not the same as "rating") system so that you may or may not be ranked if you haven't
played in a while. Don't worry, your points and rating still exists, but you now must play more often if you wish to be ranked.
More details below, plus a recap of the new Special Conditions Rule (for those who missed it last week). We also have some minor details on the
Challenge Series and Professor Program; the announcements that were supposed
to be released last Monday (1/21) were delayed due to some unforeseen circumstances, but they should be available on the
http://www.wizards.com/pokemon site within
the next few days.
Read on and enjoy,
- CHRISBO
SPECIAL CONDITIONS RULE (aka "POISON NOW SHUTS OFF MOST POKEMON POWERS"):
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #82 from slowking_man:
Hmm, special condition rule... Could you repeat it for us unfortunate souls
who weren't here last week? =D
master_trainer_pat says, "Poison, Paralysis, Confusion, Sleep, Burn and
Lightly-salted are now all called Special Conditions and they all will shut
off Pokemon Powers unless a Pokemon Power states that it won't normally be
shut off by these Conditions."
master_trainer_pat says, "BTW, I'm just kidding about lightly-salted."
master_trainer_pat says, "I made that one up."
master_trainer_mike says, "now low in sodium!"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #11 from mechachu:
So what's the deal with the whole poison effect. I mean, what's up wit dat!?
master_trainer_pat says, "Well, we were told that we needed to change our
rules to be closer to what the Japanese rules for the game are."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #33 from crosstrainer:
With the new special condition rule announced last week, we should be
playing this format from now on or just the new modified events?
master_trainer_pat says, "I recommend starting to play with that rule now so
you get used to it for tournament play."
DCI RANKINGS CHANGES:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #73 from
generalraikou:
what happened to the DCI ratings? I lost two points and I haven't even
played since the WCSTS and all of a sudden I jump from 108 in the world to
78th....that's a cut of 30 players? are they cleaning up the list?
master_trainer_mike says, "Your rating should not have changed, though there
might have been a correction. The Rankings were updated. If a player has NOT
played in 10 matches (not events, but matches) in the last 12 months then
they lose their ranking. They still have their rating though."
master_trainer_mike says, "So many of the players who were ranked haven't
played in over a year so they lost all of their rankings. That is why you
moved up."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #115 from
the_maple_bar:
Important Annoucement : As of 1/23/2002, all the players that haven't
renewed their personal information nor played in a DCI sanctioned tournament
last year are not appearing in the rankings anymore. They will be
reintegrated when the following condi
master_trainer_mike says, "Right, either play in 10 more matches within a
year, or update your online information. Most of the players who lost their
rankings though, are no longer active in tournament play."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #140 from oldman_405:
regarding the DCI & player updates. One of my players lost his ranking. He
has played in a lot of matches in the last year. In fact on Sat at the STS
he top 4rd. He is [name withdrawn]. Why did he lose his ranking?
master_trainer_mike says, "[name withdrawn] should contact the DCI. He might
be using more than 1 DCI number. He might have used an incorrect number,
there are a variety of reasons why this might have happened. Have him write
in to the dci@wizards.com"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #163 from chrisbo:
Is there a telephone number where one can speak to someone regarding DCI
issues, or is the "DCI@Wizards.com" e-mail our only recourse? (Frankly, I've
found the e-mail to be very slow to respond.)
master_trainer_mike says, "sorry, email is it. They are very busy (I see
them running around all the time)."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #153 from jumpjet:
Over here in the UK tournament results are not being added to DCI rankings
despite the result sheets being sent off to Organised Play. Telephoning
customer services ends up with a 'we will look into it reply' but nothing
has been done in months ? any
master_trainer_pat says, "Please do not call Customer Service expecting us
to help you with your DCI rating. We can help with Customer Service issues
and game questions here."
master_trainer_mike says, "We will contact the head of OP in the UK and ask
about this."
CHALLENGE SERIES:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #6 from digiwarrior:
when will the schedule for the challenge series be updated?
master_trainer_pat says, "Sometime in the future..."
master_trainer_pat says, "how's that for vague?"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #123 from
gym_leader_blaine:
will there be more than one challenge tournament in each state, like we had
two QT for each STS?
master_trainer_mike says, "there will be several across the country"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #204 from oldman_405:
Will the gym or Stadium challenges be 1 day or 2 day events?
master_trainer_pat says, "1 day events"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #208 from chrisbo:
Will any of the Gym Challenges be run by DSL (i.e. "mall tour" style), or
will they be all local stores instead.
master_trainer_mike says, "they will be run by TO's."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #138 from soslowpoke:
For Stadium Challenges, I assume that there'll be one on the east coast, one
on the west, and one in the midwest?
master_trainer_mike says, "that's the plan stan!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #174 from
gym_leader_blaine:
will the three stadium tournaments have professor tournaments also
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes they will."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #212 from
daewonsong316:
there are qualifiers for the new major events, correct?
master_trainer_mike says, "The Gym and Stadium Challenges are basically
qualifiers for the World Championship!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #215 from
daewonsong316:
Assuming i won a qualifier when i was 14, i would be able to participate in
the event when i become 15, correct? and are there any estimated dates or
months for the gym and stadium series?
master_trainer_mike says, "Correct, you would be grandfathered in."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #74 from digiwarrior:
About the Gym Challenge tourneys...can more than 1 person earn a visit to
the Stadium Challenges in your area if you win a Gym Challenge?
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok, let's correct this. The Gym Challenges (the
local events) and the Stadium Challenges (the regional events) all offer
trips to the World Championship. You do not earn trips to the Stadium
Challenges, ok?"
darkmt_mike says, "You can just go to them!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #220 from oldman_405:
Will we need to pre-register for Stadium events, if we don't win a trip? &
Will we have plenty of time to pre-register like we did this last STS?
master_trainer_mike says, "ok, you do not have to register for Stadium or
Gym challenges, they are basically qt's themselves. AND you can only get
into the World Championships if you win a trip OR are one of the highest
rating players."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #142 from
teambowchukit:
I heard the Stadium Challenge is similar in a way to the past STS, is that
true?
master_trainer_mike says, "The Pokemon Stadiums will be more like a Magic
Grand Prix event. A large tournament with some side events (including a
Professor Exclusive tournament). There will NOT be all of the activities
like Pikachu or pictures or King Ra Ra or drawings or that sort of thing.
You will still be able to do some of that stuff at the World Championships
though (hopefully)."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #159 from chrisbo:
Re Q142 - But without King Ra Ra, what are the non-tournament participants
(i.e. "non-Poke-playing parents", other siblings, etc. ) going to be able to
do???
master_trainer_mike says, "The Pokemon Gym and Stadium Challenges are
tournaments only. They are not events for anyone and everyone. You go to
them to play in the tournament and play the TCG. The World Championship will
have lots of fun stuff for other people to do."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #158 from
teambowchubash:
I can't help but wonder...why all the changes to the STS...well I should say
Challenge Series and Stadium Challenges...but anyways...why all the changes
this year?
master_trainer_mike says, "Because of many factors, such as reduced budgets,
a desire to take the game to the next level, and so on."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #112 from bubbi_guru:
will there be anything for the 15+ age divisions to at Worlds besides
judging, like side events?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yes there will be and there will be the
Wizards/Professor Challenge!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #202 from
onlyinyourdreams:
I was just wondering if the "World Championship" is really going to be a
World Championship, or if it only going to include players from North
America and Europe....
master_trainer_mike says, "It will include players form all regions that are
running Pokemon Organized Play premiere events."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #205 from
stoopid_monkey:
Will there be any players from Japan at the World Championships?
master_trainer_mike says, "yes"
PROFESSOR PROGRAM:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #3 from
gym_leader_blaine:
so when will the professor test be on the web to take? What other things
about the program can you tell use since the information was not on the Web
the 21st as we thought it would be?
master_trainer_mike says, "Actually details should be up today or tomorrow.
The test is still being finalized."
master_trainer_mike says, "But that brings up a good point. We will be
careful in the future to not give specific dates for posting anymore. It is
unfair to you to expect something up and we are unable to get it there AND
it is unfair to us to have to rush when sometimes circumstances are beyond
our control."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #19 from michel1be:
Did all the MT's pass the test ???
master_trainer_mike says, "Well, I wrote it and the others haven't taken it
yet."
darkmt_mike says, "Test! Us? MWHAHAHAHA!"
master_trainer_mike says, "But I'm sure they will do fine (except DMTM, he
is a talker not a playa!)"
master_trainer_mike says, "hee hee hee"
darkmt_mike says, "GRRR!"
darkmt_mike smirks.
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #156 from oldman_405:
How will professors advance to the next level up?
master_trainer_mike says, "that will be explained on the web site soon"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #125 from bubbi_guru:
could little kids like me take the Professor test? Just to see if us little
ones are as smart as the nice grown-
master_trainer_mike says, "nope, this is an exclusive program for our 15 and
up players, you guys get a world championship instead"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #168 from oldman_405:
At Origins during the Prof. only events, will there be events for under 15
to do?
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be sanctioned Pokemon tournaments at
Origins, yes."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #172 from
gym_leader_blaine:
is origins one of the stadium tournaments?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, it is just a very large convention where we
will also be holding the Professor Championship."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #176 from oldman_405:
So us 15+ players can play in 3 Stadium challenges plus Origins?
master_trainer_mike says, "YUP! So you have even MORE events than last year!
There will also be the Wizards/Professor Challenge to be held after the
World Championship."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #184 from oldman_405:
The Wizards.Professor Challenge held after the World Championship, Is that
one of the 3 Stadium events or is this another new add on?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yet another opportunity for you! Details to
come!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #210 from lance313:
So is the Prof Championship at Origins, or separate? Because you said the
Prof was after the World Cham, where the winner of Origins is supposed to
judge???
master_trainer_mike says, "No, I said the Professor Championship is at
Origins. The Wizards/Professor Challenge will be held after World's."
NEO: DESTINY AND BEYOND...:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #49 from
super_nice_dude:
Do you guys already know which cards will be in the ''neo destiny''
expansion? Is there anything special,, all others NEo had something special
like the 3 legendary dogs, the unkown and for neo2, the new evolution from
the old pokemons? so do you guys know what will be in the neo4 destiny?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, Neo Destiny include Light and Dark versions
of some Pokemon."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #69 from digiwarrior:
Any official release date of neo destiny and will they contain all the of
the shining pokemon that are included in the japanese set?
master_trainer_mike says, "no official release dates ever again, but we are
shooting for February"
master_trainer_mike says, "wait and see what is in the set"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #149 from
teambowchukit:
After the Neo 4 series, what will be released?
master_trainer_mike says, "Card E"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #94 from w00ty:
Will WotC Be printing vs/ecard? Do you know? =/
master_trainer_mike says, "no VS, yes to card-E, Keith told you guys that a
few weeks ago"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #161 from darkpoinko:
for the Card-E set when it comes out, will we get the new Universal-type
layouts or will you stick with the old Neo layouts? do we get the new card
back designs too?
master_trainer_mike says, "wait and see"
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #29 from crosstrainer:
What differences (if any besides "holo") will there be between the new
rainbow holo energy and the old Rainbow E. from Team Rocket?
master_trainer_pat says, "Really it's just different in looks. It doesn't
even have the black promo star or a number. The foil on it looks really
close to the foil on the Japanese cards. The holo pattern even shows through
the border ink in some places."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #32 from w00ty:
Um, Whats the next promo? :D Got any info?
master_trainer_pat says, "One of the next seasons promos is a foil basic
energy. That's all I'm gonna say."
POKEMON LEAGUE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #5 from pokesensei:
So Mike,tell us all about your trip and how was the Pokecenter?(And of
course DMTM was talking about you behind your back...) ;)
darkmt_mike says, "I was?"
darkmt_mike smiles.
master_trainer_mike says, "The Pokecenter is a cool place! Check it out if
you are ever in NYC. They will be starting our League very soon, so those of
you in NYC should go there!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #224 from chrisbo:
About the League to be held at NYC-Pokemon Center, is it going to be any
different than other leagues or is it going to be the same as everyone else?
master_trainer_mike says, "the same and yet different"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #9 from
turbocharizard:
What are the promo cards for season 2?
master_trainer_mike says, "Hmmmm, WAIT AND SEE!!!!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #10 from
turbocharizard:
On the Rainbow Season License there are brackets on the front as if a
sticker should go
master_trainer_mike says, "Actually that is a spot for the store to stamp
their name and address on, so you and they know which store you are a member
of"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #53 from w00ty:
My pokemon league doesn't have any badge licenses or w/e left over... :O
what i do =/
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #55 from marril2000:
how would a league get more season license holder pockets and chains in case
a member decides not to attend any more and thinks they can keep there
license holder
master_trainer_mike says, "Your league would need to order another league
kit. Same as last year if you needed more badge books."
master_trainer_mike says, "Have them contact their rep here at WOTC."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #61 from marril2000:
How many league reporting forms where supposed to come in a season one year
3 league kit? for some reason the kit my league received only got one, so we
photo copied it once and send out the copy and the original >_<, how can i
obtain more copies of it
master_trainer_mike says, "There was a miscommunication, sorry :) We
actually only need 1 reporting form sent in per season. This makes it easier
for you and easier for us. Preferably near the end of each season."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #47 from marril2000:
mike, can you please explain how to set up a 64 player tournament grid for
the league, i only have under 32 attend at my gym, i just can figure out how
to set it up if someone was to do a 64
master_trainer_mike says, "you can't run a 64 player tournament for the
league sorry. 32 max. It would take far too long otherwise. If you have more
than 32 league members you should run more than 1 tournament"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #40 from
captaincommando:
Will there be any more Pokemon Leagues other than those listed on the
website and have you heard of Toys R' Us involvement?
master_trainer_pat says, "We can always sign up new locations including Toys
R Us locations that would like to continue doing the league"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #77 from
martin_moreno:
Has any more information been released about Toys'R'Us's role in the Pokemon
league?
master_trainer_mike says, "We are still working with them for full details
BUT their corporate HQ said that it is ok for individual stores to run the
league if they choose to do so. So be sure to tell your local store you want
the league!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #193 from
captaincommando:
If a league were start within a couple of weeks would you be able to send
the season 1 kit so we start off right from the beginning
master_trainer_mike says, "As long as a league starts relatively soon they
can start fomr the first season, if they start any later than February then
they will have to start in a later season"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #203 from
crosstrainer:
What is the deadline for starting this season's league?
master_trainer_mike says, "It must be started by the end of February."