Kid Friendly events

Two-Headed Giant Intro Deck Battle!

We’ve never done this before! 🙂 In the great D20 tradition of weird/cool events, we are doing a special two-headed Giant where instead of the 60 cards each player from 4 packs, we’ll have 30 cards from two packs PLUS the 60 cards from one of the either Gatecrash or Return to Ravnica Intro decks. Each player gets one of the intro decks with their two packs by pulling from a box at random and the two players make their best 40 card decks each from the combo.

This should be huge fun, and as always, limited by space, so sign up early.

When: Saturday April 2oth. Get packs starting at 4, start play at 5:3o.

What: Two-headed giant team event. Three rounds (one game each), win a round, win two packs for the team.

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Magic Guild Wars…Sealed Magic Tournament

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events, Magic

We managed to squirrel away enough of the speical boxes from the Gatecrash prerelease (these are the ones with the special promo cards and guild colored promo live dice), to run a very cool battle royal between three of the guilds. Will it be the relentless attack of team Boros, the inevitable growth of Simic, or the sacrificial bursts of strength of Gruul? Whichever team wins will add some very special promos and goodies to the usual prize packs for the individual winners.

What: Single player Sealed competition (best 40 card minimum deck from the 6 packs that come in the prerelease packs)

When: Saturday 4/13/13. Get boxes at 4, make decks and play at 5:30.

How much: $30 per player

Play 3 rounds with an extra round if needed to determine winner. (Also…a possible final battle between the top players for each Guild for the honor of the clan-and an extra bonus promo)

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Dragon’s Maze Prerelease 4/27 & 4/28

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events, Magic

Pick a Guild…any guild! 😉 Dragon’s Maze is the last set in the Ravnica Block, bringing support for all 10 of the guilds of Ravnica , so players who register early will get to their favorite from all 10 guilds.

At D20 Games, we work hard to create a welcoming place for players of all levels to play, well, for the fun of it. 😉

A couple of new things for the Dragon’s Maze prerelease.

Pick from all ten guilds(20 total of each…reserve early to get your choice)…each pack will contain 4 packs of Dragon’s Maze cards, one special pack of just cards for the chosen guild, and one pack of a secret ally guild that shares a color with the guild selected.
The Implicit Maze…members of each guild can participate in the Implicit Maze Race. If team members win enough to get to complete the maze, they will get a chance to win special code cards good for virtual badges for their Planeswalker.com accounts
The special foil promo card will be for everyone and not for use in the decks. There will also be a bonus promo foil land for those who do the maze.
Promo card for Dragon’s Maze Prerelease

When: We will be having 3 times

Sat. 4/27 at 10 (Get packs starting at 10-build decks to start playing at 11 am)
Sat. 4/27 at 4 (Get packs starting at 4-build decks to start playing at 5:15)
Sun. 4/28 at 10 (Get packs starting at 10. Start playing at 11:30)
(we may add another on sunday @ 5 if we have enough demand.)

Cost: $30 per person –EXTRA BONUS–free pack of basic Ultra-pro sleeves or basic deck box

Format: Sealed (6 packs…make your best 40 card deck–Sealed means everyone starts out with the same number of packs and will take about 23 of those 80+ card to buidl a deck (we provide lands to borrow, though if you have them to bring, we’ll give you an extra smile)

Experienced Vs. Casual players: This is a great event for both experienced and casual players and we work hard to take care of both groups. For both…we always play for the fun of the game. 😉

Competitive: 4-6 rounds depending on number of players, with the top players getting most of the 2 pack per attendee prizes. (must win at least two rounds to get prize. Prize payout based on number of players)
Kids & Casual: is more of our standard draft style, with three rounds, with a prize pack given for each round won. Prizes are smaller but more spread out. (NOTE—Because of the Implicit maze event, we will give the Kids and casual players an option to play an extra round to try and win the virtual promo badges, but it is optional and there won’t be other prizes for the 4th round besides those promo badge code cards. )

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Tabletop Game Day at D20 Games!!

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events

Welcome to Tabletop Day

From 11-4 on Saturday, March 30th, we will be participating in International Tabletop Day. This is an event inspired by the Tabletop, a great series of YouTube reviews from Geek & Sundry of some of the best tabletop games hosted by actor and self-professed board game geek, Wil Weaton. We’ve loved this series and have stocked a bunch of games that we discovered through watching it.

We’ve brought in a bunch of our favorites from the show and will have them all set up at tables to test out. Write 2 Haiku reviews for two different games you try and get a discount that day good for two packs for the price of one or up to $5 off buying a game ($2 off for games under $20, $3 off games $20-30, and $5 off games over $30).

Pokemon Elite Trainer Box Tournament-2-23-13 @ D20 Games Alameda

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Pokemon

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Event: Sealed deck Pokemon Tournament

When: 12/23/13 at 11am

Players playing Pokemon at D20 Games in Alameda — Kids & Adults at our sold out Cities Tournament

Cost: $40-includes Plasma Storm Elite Trainer Box

What: Sealed Deck (Use the 7 packs included in the Elite Trainer box to build your best Pokemon Deck -40 card minimum deck size) One hour to build decks, 3 rounds of play and prizes for winning rounds. (Get an extra prize pack for each round you win.)

Great for beginners and advanced players alike. Limited to 34 players.

The Pokemon playing member of the family is super excited about this one. Continuing our tradition of not just collecting the cards, but playing with them every chance we get, we’re going to be taking the new Pokemon Elite Trainer boxes and turning them into a sealed deck event. (Take the 7 booster packs that come in the box and create your best 40 card minimum deck with those cards. )

The Elite Trainer box is super cool and contains

7 Plasma Storm booster packs
40 Pokemon energy cards
2 acrylic condition markers (burn/poison)
6 damage counter dice
a competition legal coin-flip die
a player’s guide
a deck box.
Plus, a collector’s box to hold everything in

D20 specializes in being a friendly joint, and is particularly so for Pokemon events, so come and join us. Advanced reservations are HIGHLY recomended, since this event has limited seating, and we had a lot of sad little faces when we sold out of our Pokemon Prerelease earlier in the month.

Gamecrash Game Day Event @ D20 Games in Alameda

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events, Magic

Cost: $5 entry

Time: Saturday, Feb 23rd at 10am

Sunday, Feb 24th at 12 (noon)

Format: Standard

Promo Card for participating — Gatecrash Game Day full Art card for all players

The Standard format uses only the newest sets the game has to offer. The current block, the block that was released the previous fall, and the most recent core set are all legal to play in a Standard deck. The following sets are Standard legal: Innistrad, Dark Ascension, Avacyn Restored, Magic 2013, Return to Ravnica and GateCrash

For more information on Standard, click here.

In addition, the first place winner of Gatecrash Game Day will receive an exclusive Playmat. (Source-Wizards of the Coast website)

Gatecrash League @ D20 Games Alameda

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events, Magic, Misc

Welcome to the Gatecrash League @ D20 Games in Alameda,

NEW…Top player in Kids and in Adults each week gets a bonus pack on the next Weds. Also…each week you complete 3 matches with different people, the player will get a guild sticker. Completing all 5 guild stickers in their Guild pass will also be good for a bonus pack.

What is it: The league is ongoing casual ongoing Magic play designed for fun and to have time to get much better at playing. Games can be played in the store or whenever two league players want. This one is great for both advanced players and those who are trying to get back into or get to know the game. With lots of time to build decks, as well as a bunch of other players who will help each other get better, this has ended up being a lot of good natured fun. Because of the format, everyone pretty much has an even chance from the beginning and to be honest, opening our league packs is the most fun pack each week. For the cost, it is the most joy per $ of anything in the store. Since players find each other during the league times, it is no problem to drop in and out, so it works well for those who need the game to fit their schedule, not the other way around.

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. Kids league is from opening until 5:30, adults go from 4:30 or so, until we close. Gatecrash league starts on Feb 1st, with each Weds being the beginning of the next new week.

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: Ongoing Sealed

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:

NEW…Top player in Kids and in Adults each week gets a bonus pack on the next Weds. Also…each week you complete 3 matches with different people, the player will get a guild sticker. Completing all 5 guild stickers in their Guild pass will also be good for a bonus pack.
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.

League FAQ

Do I have to play in the store 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.

Pokemon City Tournament at D20 Games 1/6/13

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events, Pokemon

D20 Games Hosts its first Pokemon City Championship tournament!

When: Jan 6th. Registration- 11 am-11:45.-Kids under 14 play at 12–masters at ~2:30 (we will give more accurate target start time at players meeting after Registration completes.

First Flight (set of players): 12:00 start time for Juniors (age 10 and under) and Seniors (age 11-14)
Second Flight: Masters ( Age 15 and up ) Start time is target 2:30, and latest start time at 3, (depending on previous rounds

Cost: Free, but limited to first 50 players per flight. (max players for space.)
Pre-registration available to make things smoother, but please don’t pre-register unless you know you will be able to attend. Pre-registered players must check in by 10:45 Sunday to confirm their slots

Prizes: First place Trophy plus 18 booster packs, 2nd-10 packs-3rd and 4th both get 4 packs.

Deck Requirements: Modified Format—-Exactly 60 cards with at least one basic. Sets allowed are Black and White on (Black and White, Emerging Powers, Noble Victories, Next Destinies, Dark Explorers, Dragon’s Exalted, Dragon Vault, and Boundaries Crossed. Black and White promo cards and Black and White Trainer Kits also allowed.) 4 copies of each card max excluding basic energies. Ace Spec special cards (such as Gold Potion) limited to one per deck. Deck lists are Required but can be filled out at the event before play begins. No changing decks from the deck list once it is submitted. Here is a link to a decklist program (PC)

Formats:

Jr. (10 and younger): Swiss-One game per round. Rounds are max 30 minutes plus 3 turns after time is called. (Likely 3-4 rounds). Prizes for the top 4 players
Sr. (11-14): Swiss-one game per round (likely 4-5 with possible top 2-8 play-off depending on # of players.)
Masters (15 and up): Swiss-one game per round (Likely 6-7 rounds with top 8 play-off)

Pokémon TCG City Championship tournaments, players in each of the three POP-recognized age divisions can work toward earning Championship Points, potentially earning an invitation to the World Championships! City Championships do not require an invitation, or qualification. All players in good standing are welcome to participate.

The Pokémon TCG City Championship tournaments will be taking place from November 17th, 2012 through January 6th, 2013. To find times and locations of City Championship events in your area, click here.

Remember, while we frequently update our events schedule, we recommend that you contact the local Tournament Organizer to confirm event schedule information.

What are the prizes?

Participants will receive 2 Play! Points just for playing!

1st Place

18 Pokémon TCG booster packs
A City Championship Trophy
50 Championship Points

2nd Place

10 Pokémon TCG booster packs
40 Championship Points (if age division attendance is 4 or greater)

3rd & 4th Place

4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
30 Championship Points (if age division attendance is 8 or greater)

5th – 8th Place

20 Championship Points (if age division attendance is 32 or greater)

9th – 12th Place

10 Championship Points (if age division attendance is 64 or greater)

13th – 16th Place

5 Championship Points (if age division attendance is 64 or greater)

17th – 32nd Place

3 Championship Points (if age division attendance is 128 or greater)

Cardfight! Vanguard Tournaments Sundays @1:30

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events

D20 is now a full supporter of Cardfight! Vanguard.

We have a full line of Cardfight products, (including the new Ultrapro Sleeves with the dot moved)

Tournaments are on Sundays at 1:30.

Entry fee-buy a pack and the event is free
Prizes are cards from the special promo set #4.

What is Cardfight! Vanguard? Cardfight is a collectible card game where the cards play multiple duty, sometimes as the creatures and sometimes as spells. It’s a fairly recently translated Japanese game, so the instructions can be a bit tricky, but once you play a few times, if you come from either Yuigoh, Pokemon or Magic, it isn’t hard to figure out.

Gatecrash Prerelease Event @ D20 Alameda

By Ben Calica / Leave a Comment / Events, Magic

NOTE-Sat PM is Sold Out!-

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Gatecrash Prerelease @ D20 in Alameda—ADDED–Two times on Sunday (11 and 3 instead of 12:30)

The second set in the Return to Ravnica block has been proving to be just as cool as the first. Bringing in the second 5 of the 10 Ravnica guilds, Gatecrash brings back the same style of special prerelease kits( 5 Gatecrash packs, one special guild specific pack, a guild colored life couter die and a guild specific promo card that CAN be played in the event). There are limited allocations of each guild, so we can only guarantee the first 30 or so people requesting each guild. (We will do our best to get people what they want anyway, but signing up earlier is a very good idea.)

This is a great event for all levels of players…lots of fun for casual players, lots of challenge for more advanced players. As usual…we always play for the fun of the game. 😉 At each time slot we will be offering both Competitive and Kids & Casual groups. For the Competitive, there will be 4-5 rounds, with the top players getting most of the 2 pack per attendee prizes. The Kids & Casusal is more of our standard draft style, with only three rounds, with a prize pack given for each round won. New players, less comptetive players, kids and those with a little less time, the Kids & Casual is a great option. For the kids who are up for 6 hours of playing, swimming with the big dogs, and who can keep up with the pace of more competitive play, they can join the more competitive event, go for the fewer, but bigger prizes.

Last time we sold out over a hundred slots more then two weeks before the event, and given the demand for people wanting to get just the guilds they are looking for, signing up early is a very, very good idea. We are also adding a Sunday event for the first time. First to sign up will get thier guild choices, after that guilds will be randomly assigned.

Cost: $30 per person until day before event ($35 at that point)

Format: Sealed (6 packs…make your best 40 card deck–As last time, there will be 5 packs of Gatecrash and one Guild specific pack and a guild specific promo card.) Sealed means everyone starts out with the same number of packs and will take about 23 of those 80+ card to buidl a deck (we provide lands to borrow, though if you have them to bring, we’ll give you an extra smile)

Games will go 4-5 rounds for the Competive group, with prize packs going to those who win at least 2 or 3 rounds depending on the number of players. We will also have side by side with that, the Kids & Casual group- 3 rounds (win a round, win a pack.) This is great for kids and people who are looking for a more casual day of fun.

When: Saturday 10 and 4, Sunday at 11 and 3. Players will all have about 1 hour to build decks and then the 3 rounds for the Kids & Casual should be done about 3 hours later. The competitive rounds will go about 4-5 hours after deck building, but those who don’t win more then two-three rounds will be playng for fun in the last couple of rounds.

The Guilds… (from Magic Wiki)

Orzhov: Treasury Thrull

Dimir: Consuming Aberration

Gruul: Rubblehulk

Boros: Foundry Champion

Simic: Fathom Mage