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WOTC CHAT REPORT
June 28, 2002 - by CHRISBO

NOTE: There will be no Pokemon Chat on July 4 due to the U.S. Independence Day holiday, and the Wizards' staff will also be preparing for the Origins gaming convention the following weekend.

Later,
- CHRISBO


"EXPEDITION" EXPANSION (aka "CARD-E"):

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #5 from mt_icecold:
Any new announcements today?
master_trainer_pat says, "Not much new to announce. We're working an another
set for release this fall that's called Pokemon Expedition. It's based on
the Card E set from Japan. I know that we were going to use that name on our
own set, but the names were shuffled up a little bit"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #76 from steel_claw:
Will card-e cards when released in the US have 5 cards in a pack like the
Japanese ones, and will they have a foil in every pack?
master_trainer_mike says, "Ahh grasshopper, you must show some
patience......."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #35 from trekiev:
any plans for box toppers in Card E?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, I think there will be."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #59 from
lord_schweizer:
Do you know when the condition burn will be announced?
master_trainer_mike says, "It comes out in the Expedition set."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #32 from mt_icecold:
After worlds, are card E cards we get from our packs legal in DCI sanctioned
tournaments?
master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, you can."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #77 from
gym_leader_blaine:
so will there be other pre-release tournaments for the new Expeditions set
besides the one at worlds?
master_trainer_pat says, "The other one that has been officially announced
is going to be at Gen Con, second weekend of August. Millwaukee, Wi."


CHALLENGE SERIES / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #23 from prof_kris:
Will you announce who has been invited to Worlds soon? Such as a list
master_trainer_mike says, "The final rating list will be pulled on July 5th.
After that the list will be posted."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #18 from fix_r:
What is the protocol for receiving an invite for worlds? What I mean is what
place does someone have to get at a Gym challenge (10 and under)?
master_trainer_mike says, "You must have won a trip at one of those events
(the invitation is included)."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #21 from mt_icecold:
MTM, why were players who scored 2nd in a Challenge Series not awarded an
invitation, but not a trip?
master_trainer_mike says, "What do you mean? The trips and the invitations
went together at the Challenges. The only other way to get an invite besides
winning a trip is at the last chance open held on Friday, being a top rated
DCI player, or having finished in the top 8 at either of last year's STS's."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #34 from lance313:
what is being asked is Why invitations didn't go out to other high finishers
at the GCs or SCs, even if trips were not to be awarded.
master_trainer_mike says, "Because coming in second in a group of 15 players
at a local Gym is not the same as winning it nor is it the same as being
some of the top rated players in the country. Sorry.

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1 from
indigomaster33:
when taking the top 20 for 15- for worlds invitation, will previous worlds
invite winners who are in the top20 be exempt from that invite, in order for
more people to be invited?
master_trainer_mike says, "What? If a player has already earned an
invitation to this year's Worlds, then these invitations will drop down."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #10 from sd_pokemom:
re: the Grinder before worlds: is it Modified format or MMF?
master_trainer_mike says, "The open event being held on Friday is the
current Modified format just like all of the Challenges were."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #25 from marril2000:
mike, according to the world FAQ, it said there would be modified side
events; now would these modified side events be the new 'neo modified' or
still 'rocket modified'?
master_trainer_mike says, "Ok gang, Modified is at is its."
master_trainer_mike says, "We are using the upcoming changed Modified for
the MAIN tournaments ONLY!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Modified has not changed yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #16 from mt_icecold:
The card E prerelease will be 2 packs of LC and 3 unopened packs of Card E
set #1 to draft correct?
master_trainer_mike says, "That is a Sealed event not a draft. You build
your deck from what you get."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #17 from
indigomaster33:
this "pokemon expedition" will it be used in the card E pre release draft at
worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "In the Pre Release Sealed event , yes."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #70 from
team_europe_golduck:
for the Team Multiplayer events at worlds, will you be paired with a team
mate at random, or can you sign in with your team mate when entering the
tournament?
master_trainer_pat says, "You sign up with a team-mate...if there are people
left over that don't have a teammate will try to pair you up."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #22 from trekiev:
to participate in professor challenge at worlds. what do I have to do?
master_trainer_mike says, "You just volunteer to work a 4 hour shift helping
us run the event. You earn a Professor Participation Point, you get a free
t-shirt, and then you can play in the Wizards/Professor Challenge against
us."

master_trainer_mike says, "BTW, I wanted to thank the 40+ Professors that
have already volunteered to work with us at the upcoming World
Championships, you guys rock!"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #49 from
team_europe_golduck:
are the Professor Champions (from Stadium Challenges) also supposed to sign
up for work at worlds, or are we already on the list? :)
master_trainer_mike says, "We already OWN YOU!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #36 from mt_icecold:
Who will be the WOTC employees who will have "bounties" on them in the
Wizards/Prof Challenge
master_trainer_mike says, "Wait and see."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #54 from lance313:
The website for the WSCTC [Washington State Convention/Trade Center] doesn't
give full details. Any idea what food or retail services are in the
convention center (just listed as 'food' or 'retail' on the website)?
master_trainer_pat says, "No, I've never been inside. There are some
restaurants and cafes nearby though...I don't know about any fast food
places though"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #62 from mt_icecold:
Are all the people who won trips at worlds being put in the same hotel?
master_trainer_mike says, "In the same room!"
master_trainer_mike says, "hee hee hee"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #66 from sd_pokemom:
What is the weather usually like in early August, for those of us travelling
to Seattle for Worlds? Average temp? Rain? 
master_trainer_pat says, "August is usually our nicest month...70-78
degrees, but you always have to be prepared for rain in Seattle. Those
fleece Professor jackets work out great for this weather..."


ORIGINS INFO:

master_trainer_mike says, "MTPat, DMTM, and I will be at Origins next week
running the Pokemon League on site, the Magic Arena league, as well as
judging the Team Multiplay Constructed event AND the Professor
Championships. Hope to see some of you there!"
master_trainer_pat says, "If you will be at Origins and you also know how to
play the Star Wars TCG(WotC) bring your decks and we can play a few games."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #27 from daytongl:
Will there be a chat next week as it is the 4th Of July and most of you will
be at Origins?
master_trainer_pat says, "No chat next week we will already be in Ohio"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #2 from daytongl:
What are the K values for the regular Pokémon Tournaments (not the Professor
or Team Play events) at Origins?
master_trainer_mike says, "Same as usual. 16k"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #14 from steelixownzu:
What's the format for the Team Battles at Origins?
master_trainer_pat says, "Current modified."
master_trainer_pat says, "I know I'll be bringing new modified though just
because we've been playtesting that lately. So bring your new modified decks
if you want to try a game against the Masters."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #31 from daytongl:
What sets are being drafted in the Professor Championships?
master_trainer_mike says, "The two Gym Sets, just like at the Stadiums."


POKEMON LEAGUE:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #40 from mt_icecold:
As of the official Wizards league calendar, what season is after this
current one we are on now?
master_trainer_mike says, "We are in the last week of the Lightning Season,
the Psychic Season starts this weekend."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #68 from ryle_kitsune:
Any info of what energy card will be issued in the colorless season?
master_trainer_pat says, "We're going to hold off on letting that info out
for right now."


PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #41 from mt_icecold:
Is the season 8 Snorlax promo coming with all new attacks or is it a reprint
of Rocket's Snorlax or Jungle Snorlax with new art?
master_trainer_pat says, "IT is a never before released Pokemon"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #44 from marril2000:
mike, (sorry if this has already been asked, i was having dinner...),
according to a recent ad in nintendo power, at the pokemon center you can
get a card-e promo (if anyone wants to see it, i scanned it for zeo earlier
this week), by any chance does
master_trainer_mike says, "Thanks, we'll check it out."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #46 from marril2000:
44 (cont.) ...by any chance, does wizards have anything to do with this
promo card-e?
master_trainer_mike says, "Not really." 

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #47 from marril2000:
so this card that the pokemon center in ny is offering, is it part of the
wizards promo set?
master_trainer_mike says, "No idea, does it have the black promo star and a
number? Understand guys that stuff like this happens from time to time
without us being told about it"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #52 from marril2000:
Re: 44,46-47... i am not sure if it has the star and number (no image on the
ad.) and was thinking it was a bit strange no where it said 'wizards promo
card-e' or have the wizards logo
master_trainer_pat says, "We have not seen it here. If we had, we would let
you know."


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