Magic Tournaments

Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle Earth -MTG comes home

By / Leave a Comment / Events, Magic, Main Page, News

(The set releases on 6/23, but preorders are open now and can be picked up at local game stores starting 6/16 when the prereleases begin.)


Lotr Basic landThe Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is a new expansion set for Magic: The Gathering it brings the iconic world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life, letting you follow the paths of favorite (or favorite villainous) characters from the Third Age.  Whether you choose to reenact your favorite moments from the series or turn the tales of Middle-earth on their head is entirely up to you​2.

Events (Release and Prerelease) 

For the Love of Hobbits and Rings:There and Back Again Saga
The set was clearly designed by people who knew and loved Tolkien’s world.  The flavor and mechanics of the cards are joyfully amazing.  For example, more often then not, hobbits in the set create food tokens (yes, there is a Second Breakfast card), and there is a saga that not only creates Smaug as a 6/6 flying dragon token, but when it dies, it creates 12 treasure tokens!  There are various versions of main characters that match their different transformations in the journey, such as 4 versions of Frodo, from peaceful hobbit to Sauron’s Bane, or Gandalf as the fireworks laden Friend of the Shire, to the White Rider, swooping down in the light of the dawn sun, with the riders of Rohan at his back.  I’ve been playing the Draftsim practice drafts/sealed simulators just to get a chance to get familiar with the cards, and the kid who fell in love with LOTR is beyond excited to get a chance to play. 

Gandalf Lord of the ShireMasters Set that you don’t need to be a Master to enjoy
This is supposed to be a Universes Away/Masters set, but it feels much more like coming home than going into a new world.  Kind of makes sense since MTG was inspired by D&D, which came from (drumroll….) Tolkien.  (if you don’t believe me…check out the early changes to D&D based on hobbit lawyers.)  Even though the set is in the higher cost Masters slot ($50/55 instead of $30/35 for sealed), don’t take that to mean that the set isn’t friendly for all levels of players.  In fact, the thing that will make the set most fun is how much you like Lord of the Rings. The Balrog

This set is shaping up to be a fantastic journey through the realms of Middle-earth, filled with nostalgia, surprises, and a sprinkle of that unique MTG magic. Whether you’re a fan of the fantasy epic, a dedicated MTG player, or both, this set promises to offer a thrilling new way to experience Tolkien’s world. Can’t wait for the set’s release? Neither can we!

 

 

Alternate Art Fun…

There are some amazing alternate versions of the cards, including some that piece together to create full scenes on their own.  There are a bunch  of cool art treatments to collect. More info here.

Alt art connected Lord of the Rings Magic cards

New Mechanics

The Ring

The Ring (front)

The biggest new mechanic has to do with The Ring, and what happens when it tempts you. I know that tempt sounds like a bad thing, but in this case it is some of the very good stuff.  When the ring tempts you, you attach the ring card to one (and only one at a time) of your creatures.  Every time the ring tempts again it adds another ability to that card. If your ring bearer dies, the ring falls off and you start from the beginning.

Amass Orcs

We’ve seen this mechanic before in building up hordes of zombies.  Basically, you create an “army” that is a token with whatever number of counters that the Amass tells you to add.  Every subsequent Amass just makes the one army token bigger. (It doesn’t create lots of them.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open(ish), and doing MTG Events!-Real Reopening first Weekend in August.

By / Leave a Comment / Main Page, News

We meant to reopen at the beginning of August to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the store.  But they went and released a new magic set that combined Magic and D&D so we snuck open early to be able to run some events.  We are doing events all through the weekend of July 24th.

So here is the scoop with magic events through the end of August:

  • We have missed 6(!!) in person prereleases during covid lockdown…we’re gonna do them all over the next month (and we will do them again till the next set comes out!
  • Starting on the last week in August when we do Core 2021 prerelease events all weekend.
  • Bringing back Two Headed Giant! This is my fav form of magic….great for buddies, couples and parent kid combos)

Keeping things safe. (really)

  • We’re gonna do Sealed instead of Draft for all events including FNM till the end of August. Both because we got all these fun prereleases we didn’t do, and because I want to be overly cautious and not have people passing cards around to each other.
  • Vaccination cards required for everyone 13+ for events in the store. I’m really not kidding about this. I’ve spent the last year an a half making choices to keep people safe, including waiting to open up.  I’m not gonna be a place where variants get a chance to bounce around.  Anyone who disagrees can feel free to email me and I will politely discuss it with them.
  • 12 and under and 13+ events.  Because there is no current way to get kids under 12 vaccinated, the best solution is to separate the events.  Each weekend there will be at least one event that will be set up for the younger crowd.  Adults (parents, etc) are welcome to attend, but will be advised to wear masks and MUST have their vaccination cards with them. PS, I  know there are a ton of kids that have both the skill and temperament to play with the adults…they will get to do so again when things settle down.
  • Smaller (but more) events.  To keep the airflow good and give people much more space between each other, we are going to do much smaller event sizes.  To help with making sure that no one shows up to not be able to play, we will have event tix available online.  (We’re trying a new POS, so this is gonna change in what it looks like, but not what happens.

Adventure in Forgotten Realms Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Night Magic Draft (Kids-9-14) (Price-$25) Kids Magic Draft

Kids-playingIt’s not called Date Night magic for the kids.   This is kids magic draft is chance for kids to play like the adults in an event with their peers, and for the parents to get a chance to go remember what it’s like to be adults again.

NOTE:  Changes for Date Night:

  1. NEW Location:  1530 Park Street.
  2. Start time 4pm start-End by 8-8:30. (impt to be on time…)
  3. Pizza now bundled in.  (More space but less easy places for kids to walk to get food…also with the earlier start time, it’s just better to have a fixed time to make a break to have food for all the kids)
  4. New Price ($25) includes two slices of Pizza and a drink.

Date night magic was designed as a way for kids to get a chance for their night out while the parents have a chance for one of their own.  For kids 9-14, the Magic tournament starts at 4 and costs $25 including 3 drafted packs of Magic cards, and one prize pack of Magic cards for each of the 3 matches (2/3 games) that the kid wins, plus dinner (two slices of pizza and a drink).  Dads, Mom’s, older siblings are welcome to play also (though the kids get the packs when they play against an adult…) Kids should know how to play, though they are welcome to ask questions to improve their games. Drafting is great for the kids, since it means that everyone is starting from scratch and has equal chances. Even if they don’t win, they still have all the cards they picked in the draft and a fun evening.  (The place is Dad-run, so we’re real big on having fun and treating each other well.) This is a great kid friendly event in the east bay.

What: Kid’s Date Night Magic: A magic draft for kids (9-14)

When: NEW Earlier Time!!! 4pm start (please be here and registered at lesst 10 minutes before) The 1st weekend of every month. Since this is a draft, everyone needs to be there to get started, so for the sake of all of the kids, please be sure to be on time. Last Round ends at or before 8:30.  Feel free to call the store before hand to see where things are at.

Cost: $25  for the draft, and dinner..(two pieces of  pizza and a drink) after the first and special $2 (half price) deal for sleeves for event players.

Other info:  Parents must leave contact information and stay within the area, and kids need to be well behaved and obey the store rules of conduct to each other, but otherwise, head on out and have good time. Limited to first 24 registered kids, so sign up early if you want to reserve a slot. (info at d20.alameda.com). Must be present by 4 to insure space.

www.d20alameda.com for more info, or email us at info at d20alameda.com. 

 

FNM Theros Beyond Death Release Weekend

Theros Beyond Death Release weekend: When someone asks you if you are a god, you say “yes!”

When: Events– Friday Night Magic at 7, Sat, Two Headed Giant at 4, Sun at 11 and a League Starter Sealed, Sunday at 11 pm. 

What Events:

Friday: Draft ($15)–Each player gets 3 packs, opens and picks a card and passes the rest to the person next to them.  Lather, rinse and repeat until all the cards from the packs have been picked.  Take about 23-26 of the 40+ cards you get and add land to make a 40 card minimum deck. Play 3 rounds, win a round, win a pack with an option of a free draft to those who go undefeated.  Since it’s a new set, and none of us know what we are doing yet, it’s a great time for new players to come and join.

Saturday: Two Headed Giant: ($30) Two player team event. Each player gets one of the last of the 6 pack prerelease kits and they build two decks to play together.
About Two Headed Giants

Sunday: Sealed-($25) Everybody gets 6 of the new packs and makes their best 40 card decks.  Packs at 11, play at 12.  3 rounds, win a round, win a pack.

Who: Who’s it good for?  Since everyone is starting from scratch from a new set, this is a great event for all players.  We run a very friendly shop, so particularly for the casual events, feel free to ask for and get help in figuring out what to make.  Regardless of what happens, you get to keep all your cards and have a day worth of fun.

Here’s what you need to get a head/catch up to the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sun 11 am sealed Theros Beyond Death Release Weekend

Theros Beyond Death Release weekend: When someone asks you if you are a god, you say “yes!”

When: Events– Friday Night Magic at 7, Sat, Two Headed Giant at 4, Sun at 11 and a League Starter Sealed, Sunday at 11 pm. 

What Events:

Friday: Draft ($15)–Each player gets 3 packs, opens and picks a card and passes the rest to the person next to them.  Lather, rinse and repeat until all the cards from the packs have been picked.  Take about 23-26 of the 40+ cards you get and add land to make a 40 card minimum deck. Play 3 rounds, win a round, win a pack with an option of a free draft to those who go undefeated.  Since it’s a new set, and none of us know what we are doing yet, it’s a great time for new players to come and join.

Saturday: Two Headed Giant: ($30) Two player team event. Each player gets one of the last of the 6 pack prerelease kits and they build two decks to play together.
About Two Headed Giants

Sunday: Sealed-($25) Everybody gets 6 of the new packs and makes their best 40 card decks.  Packs at 11, play at 12.  3 rounds, win a round, win a pack.  (If we still have Prerelease packs, we will have them as an option for an extra $5)

Who: Who’s it good for?  Since everyone is starting from scratch from a new set, this is a great event for all players.  We run a very friendly shop, so particularly for the casual events, feel free to ask for and get help in figuring out what to make.  Regardless of what happens, you get to keep all your cards and have a day worth of fun.

Here’s what you need to get a head/catch up to the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sat 4pm TGH Theros Beyond Death Release Weekend

Theros Beyond Death Release weekend: When someone asks you if you are a god, you say “yes!”

When: Events– Friday Night Magic at 7, Sat, Two Headed Giant at 4, Sun at 11 and a League Starter Sealed, Sunday at 11 pm. 

What Events:

Friday: Draft ($15)–Each player gets 3 packs, opens and picks a card and passes the rest to the person next to them.  Lather, rinse and repeat until all the cards from the packs have been picked.  Take about 23-26 of the 40+ cards you get and add land to make a 40 card minimum deck. Play 3 rounds, win a round, win a pack with an option of a free draft to those who go undefeated.  Since it’s a new set, and none of us know what we are doing yet, it’s a great time for new players to come and join.

Saturday: Two Headed Giant: ($30) Two player team event. Each player gets one of the last of the 6 pack prerelease kits and they build two decks to play together.
About Two Headed Giants

Sunday: Sealed-($25) Everybody gets 6 of the new packs and makes their best 40 card decks.  Packs at 11, play at 12.  3 rounds, win a round, win a pack.

Who: Who’s it good for?  Since everyone is starting from scratch from a new set, this is a great event for all players.  We run a very friendly shop, so particularly for the casual events, feel free to ask for and get help in figuring out what to make.  Regardless of what happens, you get to keep all your cards and have a day worth of fun.

Here’s what you need to get a head/catch up to the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magic Two-Headed Giant

Two-Headed Giants @ D20

  •  4 of the current block (newest packs) ($20pp-4packs each)

What: Two Headed Giant-two player team event.

Who’s it good for:

  • Buddies
  • Sweeties (couples…either where both play, or the significant other is looking for a nice, no-pressure way to share something the other person really likes)
  • Parent/Kid combos (or big sibling, etc)  Kids get to be the smart ones for once, and the parents get to see what this is about (and get a great date with their kid)

About Two Headed Giants

Parent & Kids playing two-headed Giant
Parent & Kids playing two-headed Giant

Two-headed giants are a team Magic the Gathering event. Teams usually comprise of buddies, parent/kid combos, and a lot of couples.  Both players play together, sharing a life total, showing each other their cards, consulting with each other and playing at the same times.  Because of that it is both great social fun, and probably the best way for a new player, or someone who is just curious what their buddy/kid/or SO likes so much about the game to get a chance to try without feeling any pressure to know all (or any) of the rules.  Think of it like tandem skydiving…you get all the fun, without having to worry about when to pull the rip-cord.(It is particularly great for Moms or Dads who want to have a really cool date night with their kids. This event is a GREAT way for parents to figure out what this thing the kids are doing is anyway, and for the kids to get a chance to be the ones who know what is going on for a change. ;-)Because you play as a team and can help each other out, the kid gets to be the smart one for a change, and the parent gets to play without needing to worry about “doing it wrong”. Also…kids love having their mom or dad help them try and beat another team.)

Each player (head) gets a set of packs and shares with their partner to make two 40 card decks, one for each player . You’ll have plenty of cards to use to make interesting decks with that number of packs, and the cards you open are yours to keep.  Teams play 3 matches against other teams (since the team starts with 30 life instead of twenty, it is a single game…they usually last anywhere from 25-50 minutes.) If you win a round, each team gets two prize packs.  If you lost, you will most likely be paired up with someone else who had the same type of night, so it tends to balance itself out.

D20 tends to be a friendly place to play, and the Two-headed Giants are particularly so.  We have great players who take pride in making other players feel welcome and remembering that it’s a game, its played for fun. 😉

Frequently asked Questions

What is it?: Two-Headed Giant Magic Tournament. (Two players on the same team, sharing life and playing in parallel against other teams of players)

Do I need to know what I’m doing?: Since both players play at the same time and can show each other their cards, as long as one of the two players knows what they are doing, nothing is required of the other player. It is the best, most fun way to learn the game.

 

Magic Two-Headed Giant

Two-Headed Giants @ D20

(Note: If not enough players for THG…we will offer Zombie Conspiracy)

What: Two Headed Giant-two player team event.

Who’s it good for:

  • Buddies
  • Sweeties (couples…either where both play, or the significant other is looking for a nice, no-pressure way to share something the other person really likes)
  • Parent/Kid combos (or big sibling, etc)  Kids get to be the smart ones for once, and the parents get to see what this is about (and get a great date with their kid)

About Two Headed Giants

Parent & Kids playing two-headed Giant
Parent & Kids playing two-headed Giant

Two-headed giants are a team Magic the Gathering event. Teams usually comprise of buddies, parent/kid combos, and a lot of couples.  Both players play together, sharing a life total, showing each other their cards, consulting with each other and playing at the same times.  Because of that it is both great social fun, and probably the best way for a new player, or someone who is just curious what their buddy/kid/or SO likes so much about the game to get a chance to try without feeling any pressure to know all (or any) of the rules.  Think of it like tandem skydiving…you get all the fun, without having to worry about when to pull the rip-cord.(It is particularly great for Moms or Dads who want to have a really cool date night with their kids. This event is a GREAT way for parents to figure out what this thing the kids are doing is anyway, and for the kids to get a chance to be the ones who know what is going on for a change. ;-)Because you play as a team and can help each other out, the kid gets to be the smart one for a change, and the parent gets to play without needing to worry about “doing it wrong”. Also…kids love having their mom or dad help them try and beat another team.)

Each player (head) gets a set of packs and shares with their partner to make two 40 card decks, one for each player . You’ll have plenty of cards to use to make interesting decks with that number of packs, and the cards you open are yours to keep.  Teams play 3 matches against other teams (since the team starts with 30 life instead of twenty, it is a single game…they usually last anywhere from 25-50 minutes.) If you win a round, each team gets two prize packs.  If you lost, you will most likely be paired up with someone else who had the same type of night, so it tends to balance itself out.

D20 tends to be a friendly place to play, and the Two-headed Giants are particularly so.  We have great players who take pride in making other players feel welcome and remembering that it’s a game, its played for fun. 😉

Frequently asked Questions

What is it?: Two-Headed Giant Magic Tournament. (Two players on the same team, sharing life and playing in parallel against other teams of players)

Do I need to know what I’m doing?: Since both players play at the same time and can show each other their cards, as long as one of the two players knows what they are doing, nothing is required of the other player. It is the best, most fun way to learn the game.

 

Core 2020 Release Sealed

Core 2020 Release weekend: Ok…we’re calling it Prerelease weekend part two. (cause of the 4th of July…we got lots of Prerelease kits left, so those of you who were away for the 4th get a chance to get in on the fun).

When: Events– Friday Night Magic at 7, Sat, Two Headed Giant at 4, Sun at 11 and a League Starter Sealed, Sunday at 11 pm. 

What Events:

Friday: Draft ($15)–Each player gets 3 packs, opens and picks a card and passes the rest to the person next to them.  Lather, rinse and repeat until all the cards from the packs have been picked.  Take about 23-26 of the 40+ cards you get and add land to make a 40 card minimum deck. Play 3 rounds, win a round, win a pack with an option of a free draft to those who go undefeated.  Since it’s a new set, and none of us know what we are doing yet, it’s a great time for new players to come and join.

Saturday: Two Headed Giant: ($35-$30  in advance) Two player team event. Each player gets one of the last of the 6 pack prerelease kits and they build two decks to play together.
About Two Headed Giants

Sunday: Sealed-($35-$30  in advance) Everybody gets a Prerelease kit. and makes their best 40 card decks.  Packs at 11, play at 12.  3 rounds, win a round, win a pack.

Who: Who’s it good for?  Since everyone is starting from scratch from a new set, this is a great event for all players.  We run a very friendly shop, so particularly for the casual events, feel free to ask for and get help in figuring out what to make.  Regardless of what happens, you get to keep all your cards and have a day worth of fun.

Here’s what you need to get a head/catch up to the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core 2020 Release THG

Core 2020 Release weekend: Ok…we’re calling it Prerelease weekend part two. (cause of the 4th of July…we got lots of Prerelease kits left, so those of you who were away for the 4th get a chance to get in on the fun).

When: Events– Friday Night Magic at 7, Sat, Two Headed Giant at 4, Sun at 11 and a League Starter Sealed, Sunday at 11 pm. 

What Events:

Friday: Draft ($15)–Each player gets 3 packs, opens and picks a card and passes the rest to the person next to them.  Lather, rinse and repeat until all the cards from the packs have been picked.  Take about 23-26 of the 40+ cards you get and add land to make a 40 card minimum deck. Play 3 rounds, win a round, win a pack with an option of a free draft to those who go undefeated.  Since it’s a new set, and none of us know what we are doing yet, it’s a great time for new players to come and join.

Saturday: Two Headed Giant: ($35-$30  in advance) Two player team event. Each player gets one of the last of the 6 pack prerelease kits and they build two decks to play together.
About Two Headed Giants

Sunday: Sealed-($35-$30  in advance) Everybody gets a Prerelease kit. and makes their best 40 card decks.  Packs at 11, play at 12.  3 rounds, win a round, win a pack.

Who: Who’s it good for?  Since everyone is starting from scratch from a new set, this is a great event for all players.  We run a very friendly shop, so particularly for the casual events, feel free to ask for and get help in figuring out what to make.  Regardless of what happens, you get to keep all your cards and have a day worth of fun.

Here’s what you need to get a head/catch up to the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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