There will be 2 formats:

• 5 packs-Cost,$10-15 depending on prizes.  Make 20 card decks from the 25 cards that come in the sealed packs.
• 10 pack.  Cost $20-$25 depending on prize pool.Make 40 card decks out of the 50 cards from the packs.

The rules of sealed are that only the cards that come with the packs you open that day can be used to make your decks. No cards can be added from different sets or from any other source but the packs that were opened.  The cool part of this is that a) You aren’t playing the same deck over and over again, b) Every player basically starts on an even playing field, and c) rather then buying packs just for the one or two good cards that may be found, you get to have fun with them, no matter what.

These events are similar to the sneak peeks with one major exception.  The sneak peeks are for sets that weren’t designed for sealed deck play, so the decks made with them tend to either be wonderful or terrible.  The new Battle packs were built for doing this, so they have many more cards that can work together well in the sets.

We will run Battle Pack events starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday nights as part of our Kids Date Night events (Kids from 9-14) and at 1:30 on Sundays for the older crowds.  We will do so for as long as we have battle packs in stock, but please check the website calendar for the latest information.

Prizes will vary by event, but for the kids, they will play 3 rounds with selections from the Duelist league as special prize cards for all kids involved.  Bonus packs will be awarded for best sportsmanship, most interesting deck ideas, and best helping another player to learn the game.  For the adults, prize packs will be either one pack per match winner for 3 rounds, or from a prize pool.

What is it:  The league is an ongoing opportunity for casual competitive play starting the first week of Avacyn and going until the release of M13 this summer.

When: Formal League days are Weds, but matches may be played any time during the week.  Match results for each week must be received by the following Weds.

Cost: League costs $25 to enter (includes 6 packs) and $5 each week, including a pack for that week. (People buying fat-packs or boxes may opt to use 6 packs as long as permission is granted from staff.

Format: Sealed+ event

• Start with 6 packs to build decks from, and get to add one pack per week
• Packs must be opened in the store and the contents added to a deck list that is kept in the store.

Matches:

• Each player can play up to 5 matches with other different members of the league each week.  (Matches beyond 5 will not count in that week)
• Each player in a match will get 1 point just for playing, and the winner will get 2 bonus points in addition for a total of 3.
• It is good sportsmanship to accept a match challenge from anyone in the league provided both players have enough time.
• Matches may be continued over more then one day if there is not enough time to complete all the games at once, though an incomplete game is considered a draw game (it can be played over if both players choose.)
• As long as one game is completed, both players will get the minimum 1 point.

Standings and Prizes:

• Since we are not charging much more then the cost of the packs, prizes will be more in the fun and pride side then high value.  Having said that, there are some very cool posters that will be the top prizes at the end as well as a full set of the over-sized Avacyn Legends that were in the Helvault
• Standings will be posted each week on the website.
• Each player who has competed at least 3 matches in a week will be entered in a drawing on Weds for a bonus pack.
• At the end of the time the point totals will be added up and there will be a playoff with the top 8 players.  The top 4 players will also get bonus entry’s into the drawing for the rights to buy one of our From the Vault sets this summer.

As with most of our events, the goal is to play and have fun.  Everyone has a better time when we help each other out, pointing out missed triggers and plays so that we win by being the better players rather then by catching an opponent doing a dumb mistake or by not knowing how some part of the game works.

From the Wizards website…

We will be having 3 events for Avacyn Restored:  Friday at midnight, two-headed giant and Saturday Sealed deck events at 10 and at 5:30

Special Foil Promo for first 40 people in each Saturday Event

Friday: 

• After Friday Night Magic:  (6:30.  $15) we will be doing the very first chance to get ahold of the new set..a  midnight Avacyn two headed giant
  This will be a sealed event, $18 per player, 8 packs for the team…if you don’t have a buddy to play with, don’t worry, come on down and we’ll match you up with a new buddy to play with.  We’ll do fairly fast deck building and play no more then 3 rounds so we can get done by 3 at the latest…we’re doing this for fun, so we’ll spread out the prize rather then having the winning be all that important.

Both Saturday's Events will be Helvault opening events

Saturday:  The main pre release Events.  These will be fun events, with everyone getting their own packs to build decks and play each other.  There will be 4 rounds, with the players continually matching up by win/loss records, so the really competitve players will end up playing with their peers, and the casual players will end up playing with other casual players.  Regardless of win and loss, everyone gets their packs, the bonus cards they are entitled to and whatever is hidden as extra bonus in the Helvault.  This is a great event not just for the experienced players, but for anybody who just likes to play, and particularly for those who are looking to get back into the game, since everyone is starting from scratch again with the new set.

• 10am and 5:30 We’ll be doing sealed deck (6 packs and make your best 40 card minimum deck and play.)
• $25 entry fee includes the pack, a special bonus card for the first 45 people signed up in each time.
• Registration for the first event will start at 9:30 and we will start deck building between 10:15-10:30. First rounds will be played around 11.  The early event should go around 4 (a bit later for the top players)  The second event will go from 5:30 to about 10 for most players, potentially later for the best players. We will provide packs starting at 5:00 to give people a longer time to build. (This is not a high level event, so we would rather people enjoy themselves then have us need to get as picky about things.)
• FOR KIDS>>>there will be two events running side by side at both times, so the kids can play the kids and the adults play the adults.  Both of these will be Helvalut events, so there will be extra prizes for all registered players.  We will work to open the Helvault around 8:30-9pm so the kids who might need to leave early will get the Helvault bonus prizes.  We will spread out the prizes more for the kids, with more people getting prizes, but the top people not getting as big a top prize.  Kids prizes will be more spread out and the adults will have the prizes more loaded to the top. As such, advanced kids will be able to play with the adults if they so choose.
• Pizza and a drink for $5 will be offered at 2 and 6

D20 Games is located at 2311 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda  email for info at info at d20alameda.com or go to the website at www.d20alameda.com

Coming next week… Sat.  5/26  Avacyn Game day, and Parent/kid two headed Giant the week after (date and time to be determined by AAA Little league…(Hey, we’re sponsoring the team…go River Cats!!)

This week

Neo Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon from Galactic Overlord Set

Raikou from Dark Explorers

Where:  D20 Games, 2311 Santa Clara Ave.

Pay and register in the store or here.

Sunday April 22nd is our Trial for the Anaheim Grand Prix which will take place  May 26-27th at the Anaheim Convention Center. Winner of our event will automatically pass the first 3 rounds of the big event.  This is a competitive level event.  Bring in your decks during the week to get a chance to practice and tune.

• Start time is 10
• Format: Standard
• Cost is $25  per player.
• Winner will receive 3 byes in the Anaheim Grand Prix.  Everyone will get 3x planeswalker points for participating, and additional prizes will be awarded based on the attendance pool.

We will do signups, online, before the event at the store, and on the day of the event.  Signups will start at 10.  Players who are not seated and ready to build by 10:30, will need to wait for additional players to join so they can cross check deck lists, and will have the first round counted as a loss.

Format

• The format for this Grand Prix Trial will be Standard, (60 card decks consisting of cards from M12, Scars block and Innistrad Block.)  The Anaheim event will be block-constructed(Innistrad, Dark Ascension, and Avaycn).
• Deck lists are required

Tournament Length

• If over 8 players, Swiss rounds – 50 minutes per round
• Playoff matches will have no time limit
• Number of Swiss rounds based on attendance according to the following chart:

Advancement

• All players may participate in all Swiss rounds.
• The top players after the final Swiss round will advance to the single-elimination playoff. The number of players that advanced to the playoff is based on the number of players in the event (see chart above).

Notes

• Planeswalker Points Multiplier – 3x

Pay and register in the store or here.

This will be our first ever Grand Prix Trial and we’re really looking forward to it.  Our space is intimate and friendly, so we will be limiting the event to a max of 40 players.

• Start time is 10 for signups and 10:30 for pack opening.
• Format is Sealed, 3 Dark Ascension,and 3 Innistrad.
• Cost is $30 per player.  (Each player attending will get an extra entry into our drawing for rights to buy one of our allocation of From the Vaults: Realms to be held later in the year…)
• We will be offering a $6 pizza deal at 2pm (two slices and a drink) for those who want, (as opposed to the standard mad scramble to grab a bite inbetween rounds.)
• Winner will receive 3 byes in the Minniapolas Grand Prix.  Everyone will get 3x planeswalker points for participating, and additional prizes will be awarded based on the attendance pool.

We will do signups, online, before the event at the store, and on the day of the event.  Signups will start at 10.  Players who are not seated and ready to build by 10:30, will need to wait for additional players to join so they can cross check deck lists, and will have the first round counted as a loss.

Format

• The format for this Grand Prix Trial will be Sealed Deck,
• If event attenence is more then 8, the top 8 will play off using the their sealed decks from the event.  The product mix for the event will be 3 Innistrad and 3 Dark Ascension boosters per player
• Deck lists are required

Tournament Length

• Swiss rounds – 50 minutes per round
• Playoff matches will have no time limit
• Number of Swiss rounds based on attendance according to the following chart:

Advancement

• All players may participate in all Swiss rounds.
• The top players after the final Swiss round will advance to the single-elimination playoff. The number of players that advanced to the playoff is based on the number of players in the event (see chart above).

Notes

• Planeswalker Points Multiplier – 3x

Buy a box Promo Card for first 25 preorders

Weds:

Starting at 4, Magic League Play.  Start with 6 packs and make your best deck, each week, add one more pack and play against other League members.   Weds will be league day, but you are allowed to play other league members during any other time when you find them for extra planeswalker and league points.  $25 for the 6 packs, and then $5 each week to add a new pack.  Points will be awarded for the number of matches played with other League Members.  You can play each member 1 time per week, and will get 1 point for playing, and 2 extra points (total max for each match of 3) for winning 2 out of 3 games.  Signed slips will need to come in for both players.  We are at week 2 so it’s ok to add the first extra pack.

Friday:

• Friday Night Magic  Adults (@6:30)  $15 with (Free sleeve offer has ended, but Drafts will have options of $2 sleeves) Triple Avacyn plus Bonus cards.  Last DA/Inn Draft before we switch over to Avacyn.

Saturday:

•  Date Night Magic (@5:30-9:30)  $15 (plus $2 for sleeves), $20 with two pieces of pizza and a drink. (Come for Pizza at $5 and RSVP at info at d20alameda.com to make sure we have enough.)  If you are going to be late, call or email and we can have someone sit in for the first part of the draft for your child.  They will make their best picks and pass those on when your child gets there. (please don’t do this if you will not be making it since this costs us $$$.)

In Stock:

Avacyn Fatpacks, Intro Decks and Booster Boxes for now.

Koth vs. Venser Decks: DA Fat Packs ($40) and all the new stuff, Boosters ($4-$120 for a box of 36), Intro Packs ($15), Event Decks, ($25/30)

*Details for From the Vault drawing:  Every Event entered and every $20 spent on merchandise gets an extra entry starting from April 1st. Date of drawing will be determined.  Must either be present at drawing to make order, or make a refundable prepayment.

Coming on Tuesday…. Galactic Overlord… Great new stuff in this set.  Coming at the end of the month…Sealed deck games with Epic Dawn Battle packs….

1. 

   Galactic Overlord Booster

   Duelist League for 14 and younger on Saturdays at 2:30  (we will still run it sometimes on Sunday, but load in all the new cards into the binder on Saturday, so the best winning is on that day.)  $5 and includes an entry pack

2. Master’s Tournament on Sunday at 1:30

Specials this week!!

• Galactic Overlord in stock now.
• (No more Ra Yellow, Order of Chos SE or Dragons Collide)
• Coming at the end of the month, Battle Packs!!! We will be having events on Saturday for the kids and Sunday for the adults for this new set of packs!

We are also looking at adding two new game tournaments to the store… Legend of the Five Rings

As of the beginning of March , we became an Advanced Level Magic Store with Wizards of the Coast…Whoo Hoo!!

Buy Tickets for Avacyn Restored Pre-release