Looking for some good DM’s—Sat June 15th is Free RPG day at the store, in addition to giving out a bunch of free RPG goodies, we will be running what could be up to a 3-8 table joint adventure…but we need some good DM’s to help us out.
Ok…still battling with the website….so far it’s taken the first game…but the match isn’t open yet.–The Event list is battling
IMPT>>>Sunday Standard is moving to 11:30 start from 12:30 start so we can start regular 3 pm drafts (Modern Masters Next week)
Saturday Morning…Registering at 10am— Pokemon Battle Roads tournament...(Lots of people..not the best for the smaller kids that can get overwhelmed)
Also on Saturday June 8th…Two Headed Giant (starting a bit later because of the Battle Roads.) Packs at 4 or so…but no space to build until about 5–start playing at 6
Taking reservations for the first (and only) Revised Box Draft –Yep…we are doing the most over the top draft ever…a factory sealed box of Revised. Cost is $150 per person to open packs that haven’t seen fresh air in 19 years. 😉 (NOTE–New date for this…June 29th!!!)
Tuesdays starting June 11th… Modern Masters League. Register here… ($100 for 6 starter packs plus 5 weekly packs…more then half sold out so far..)These packs will be cool but in very limited supply. Packs look like they will be between $13-15 per and are FULL of amazing stuff for Magic Modern.
Wednesdays…we are doing D&D encounters from 6-9. We’ve pretty much got the first table either filled or close each week, so we’re looking for a couple more people to DM for us. Check out my newly written Intro to D&D blog post for parents and other curious types
Thanks to everyone for the post break in support..we’re doing much better.. Click here for the story.
D20 Games Events this week… (6/04/2013)
Tuesday:
Vanguard, Pokemon, Kaijudo and Magic open play.
Wednesday:
New Dragon’s Maze League (short league before summer League) 6 packs to start or one of the prerlease 6 pack sets.
Thursday:
5:30…Magic Time Walk Duels!! $5 entry ($4 into a pack for the prize pool) We got this wonderful collection of Intro Decks from 1996-2008 in perfect condition. Pick your weapon from the History of Magic and see how it does…pick a favorite from the past or something you’ve never tried before. We’re going to do this from now on, so come and have some historical fun.
Board Game Test Night.Check out new board games from 5-7 (or later)–Play a game and write a review…get a punchcard punch good for special deals!!!
OPEN AT MIDNIGHT FOR Modern Masters sales. League players can get their first packs and we will sell limited numbers of packs per day.
Friday Night Magic: Dragon’s Maze Draft 6:45. $15 (Special deal..sleeves $2 for drafters) Drafting Dragon’s Maze-Gatecrash-Ravnica
9 pm Modern Masters Draft (Limited to 8-$35)
Saturday
Registering at 10- Pokemon Battle Roads tournament...(Lots of people..not the best for the smaller kids that can get overwhelmed)
11-1:00 Pokemon League…$5 and great fun for all ages. Free play with other folks who love Pokemon with rewards for how many times you play. ADDING Competitive tournament each week. $5 entry (4 into prize pool for packs). Single Elimination.
Two Headed Giant (starting a bit later because of the Battle Roads.) Packs at 4 or so…but no space to build until about 5–start playing at 6
Date Night Magic5 for pizza, 5:30 for draft. $15 for the event plus $5 for pizza and drink for kids 9-12–kids will have the option of playing in the launch event instead if they would like.
9PM Modern Masters Draft
Sunday:
11 am (start playing at 11:30)—NEW TIME Magic Standard Tournament–$5 entry…one pack into the prize pool per player (12 registration..start play at 11:30)
This is a ton of fun and one of our favorite ways to give people who are interested, but don’t know that much about the game to get to play with a partner and have a blast. It works great for significant others, buddies who want to check it out, or just friends who want to play. 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…very fun to play together against another team.
Upcoming times: Sat. 3/09/13 and Sat. 3/30/13 at 4 pm (start getting packs to build decks) Play games starting at 5:30 (ish)
Cost: $17.50 per player.
The team gets 8 packs to use to make two 40 card minimum size decks.
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)
Does it HAVE to be a parent? Anyone can play, but we want to make sure it a comfortable and family friendly event. This is a GREAT chance for people to get a chance to check out the game that someone important to them has such a good time with without all the pressure of already understanding or being good at the game.
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.
Do we need to make and bring our own decks? Nope. This is what is called a sealed deck tournament, which basically means that each team gets a fixed number of packs (7) of Magic cards to build the two decks used to play in the tournament.
How much does it cost? $18 per person which includes 4 packs (teams end up with 8 packs to start with.
Why is is called Two headed Giant? Both players share the same (larger) life total of 30 rather then the normal 20 points. Each “head” (player) takes their turns at the same time and can consult with each other, but they play in parallel, not able to share resources such as land or equipment (if you don’t know what those things are, don’t worry about it, your partner will.
Why only one game per match? Two headed Giant takes longer to play, so there is not enough time to do the standard 2-out of 3 games.
What is it: The M13 league is an ongoing opportunity for casual competitive play starting the first week of M13 (and going until the release of Return To Ravnica in the Fall.
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.
Slips MUST be turned in with both players names clearly printed and the date written.
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.
Standings will be posted each week on the website as soon as I can figure out how. 😉
At the end of the time the point totals will be added up and there will be a playoff with the top 8 players with prizes for those players. And more importantly, they will get the chance to win one of our major titles. (Look for announcements for special events for these major players.)
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.
When: Saturday, March 7th at 10 am, and 4:30 p.m.
(Times are sign-in and get yer pack times. There will be an hour for deck building, so matches will start at 11am and 5:30 p.m. Each event will go 5-6 hours.)
What and How Much: $25, 6 decks for a sealed deck event (Pick the best 23 or so from the 60 and add 17 lands to make a minimum 60 card deck.) There will be a minimum of 4 rounds of play with prizes split based on how many players we have. Everyone will get the special foil promo card, and we will throw in a bunch of extra prizes (playmats, deck boxes, rare promo cards) as random giveaways to make it more fun.
About Events at D20: As usual, we like to play for the joy, not just the winning. We’d rather win by helping our opponent play their best game too, then to make them feel bad because they didn’t understand a rule or made unwitting mistakes. We love new or returning players and like to create a comfortable and easygoing place for experienced and learning players to have a good time side by side.
About M13: Traditionally,core sets have been a collection of reprinted staples picked from the last 20 years of magic, with a few cool goodies (Planeswalkers and other big bombs) tossed in. As of M13, they changed that and decided that the core sets should be able to be as much fun as the cycle sets that follow. M13 features a huge number of great new cards, as well as the return of an old favorite mechanic, Exalted.
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 10:00 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 4:30 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 although the evening event will be more adult focused, so the kids can play the kids and the adults play the adults. 😉 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. Just as we expect good role modeling from the adults, we expect the kids to be respectful keep their voices to table level.
What is it: The league is an ongoing opportunity for casual ongoing Magic play starting the first week of summer vacation (June 16th) and going until the end of summer.
When: Formal League days are Weds and 3-5 on Fridays, 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. We will start with a mix of Innistrad, Dark Ascension and Avacyn and then add M13 core set when it comes out in the middle of July.
For kids…this is a way fun way to play every week with other kids, either in the store or wherever you find other league players. You get 6 packs to start with to build the best deck you can. Each week, you get to add another pack and make your deck better (or make a completely different deck.). We’ve been doing this with the adults and it is totally fun.
For parents…this is a great way for the kids to play on an ongoing basis, for them to use the cards, not just open lots of packs that end up in a box (or on the floor). They get the fun of opening a pack each week, (actually more fun since all those cards can be used to help them make their decks better. ) The prizes are small intentionally so the play is more fun then the winning, and we give random rewards for those we see helping other players and in general being great sports.
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.
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.
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.
Magic League FAQ
Do I have to play in the store and on League days? No, league games can be played anytime during the week and anywhere you find another player.
Why is this more fun than just playing with the decks I have already? The League is one of the best ways to really learn how to play and how to REALLY build your own decks and combos, not just buying premade decks or building a deck that someone else came up with on the internet. You make the best deck(s) you can with whatever the packs bring you, and by the end, that will be a lot. Whatever surprising and cool combos you come up with will be because of the thinking you do and the help you get from other league members.
How many packs do we get and what packs can we choose from? To start, each player gets 6 packs and then at the beginning of each new week, they can add one more into their card pool.
How big does my deck need to be and do I only get to make one deck? Because this is a sealed type event, minimum deck size is 40 cards, not 60, so you want to shoot for ~your 23 best cards and about 17 lands. As you get more cards added, it is very common to be able to build 2 or 3 possible decks. Your sideboard in this type of event is all of your cards from the league, so you can not only switch cards, you can switch whole decks in-between each play.
Can I use my own cards? No, each player starts with 6 packs that they record on the card sheet that gets left with the league administrator. The only cards you add will be the new packs for each new week, and whatever lands you need.
Why can’t I use my own cards? Part of the idea of the league is to make sure everyone starts out with equal chances. It turns out to actually a lot more fun that way. Over time, as more and more packs get added, the randomness of the luck will get evened out and it will be all about what you can do with what you have.
Why do we mark the cards on the league sheet? To keep it fair and make sure people don’t get tempted to sneak in cards that they got from other sources. That would be a crumby thing to do and would spoil a lot of the fun (and challenge of the league.)
How many times do I play each week? You can play up to 6 matches that are official each week and nothing stops you from playing more for fun. League result slips signed by both players, with names and date clearly printed must be turned in each week to the tournament organizer.
Do I have to join at the very beginning? And what if I’m not going to be around a bunch of the time? The league goes the whole summer and you can join in at any time. Since it is primarily for fun, it’s fine if you are gone away for a week or two (or more). When you get back, you can get your missing packs and come on back in and play.
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
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:
Attendance
Swiss rounds
Playoff
8
3 Single-Elimination Rounds (No Swiss)
None (run Single Elimination)
9 – 16 (If Sealed Deck)
4 Rounds
Top 8
9 16 (If Constructed)
5 Rounds
Top 4
17 – 32
5 Rounds
Top 8
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).
Coming to the calendar …April 22, our first Grand Prix Trial for LA Grand Prix. $30 entry, Max players will be 40, but most likely smaller. This will be a Standard Format Tournament, 😉
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!!
Every regular retailer…signed up and not in someone’s basement.
Run at least 4 full sets of sanctioned (8 or more people) events and bring 30 new players to the games…
Yay…Friday night drafts could become Friday Night Magic with all the cool cards to go with it. We could run pre-release events.
Run at least 20 events, have over 100 different people attending those events, and have a Magic event with at least 32 people.
Double Whoo Hoo!!! Not bad for being open 6 months. 😉
What does this mean? We get to run twice as many of the cool events (including the Avacyn Restored Pre-release), giving us both more cool prize cards to give away, and the flexibility to be able to have the kids have their own mini-events side by side with the big events so they don’t have to go head to head with the older crowd unless they want to. We also will be getting an allocation this summer of the next From the Vault limited edition sets. BTW, we will be allocating these in three different batches, 1/3 to the players who rack up the most points in events between now and then (4 points for a top finish or a 3-0 draft night, 2 for second or third, and 1 for each time you play), 1/3rd to our best magic customers between March 15th and then, and 1/3 among all customers who want to enter, with one entry for each time they come in and buy anything between March 15th and the release.
Everyone who attends will get a special full art version of the Beast 
Tracker. Top players will get a special foil full-art version of Killing wave.
Join us on Saturday, May 26th at 12 for the Avacyn Restored Game Day. 
