Prerelease

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

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(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.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3pm Sun THG Theros Beyond Death Prerelease

“PREVIOUSLY, ON THEROS . . .

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.”  (from the Wizard’s site…click here for more)

Note: The kids event…Packs available starting at 3:30, play at 4:30, so kids can get here after school. 

Theros Beyond Death Prerelease.  Adding New Times FRIDAY—3:30 pm Jr. Sealed and 7:30 pm Sr. (15+) sealed. Sealed (6 packs) Sat at 10 and 4, and Sun at 4 (competitive or casual). Two Headed Giant at 3 on Sunday. $30 in advance, $35 day of the event.

What: Two-Headed Giant using prerelease packs, so 6 packs plus a promo card for EACH of the two player teammates. ($35 at the door, $30 advanced registration.) play three rounds, win a round, win a pack)  Two-headed giant is a two player team event, where the two players share their cards to make a deck for each of them that they play as a team.  Great for buddies, couples, parent kid combos or anyone who wants to share the fun.  Kinda like tandem skydiving, as long as one person knows how to play, the other can just enjoy the ride.

When: Events Friday, 3:30 pm (kids 9-14) 7:30 pm (Sr.  15 and older) Sat at 10, Sat at 4, Sun at 10 and a two-headed Giant, Sunday at 3 pm.

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.

 

 

 

10am Sun Theros Beyond Death Prerelease

“PREVIOUSLY, ON THEROS . . .

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.”  (from the Wizard’s site…click here for more)

Note: The kids event…Packs available starting at 3:30, play at 4:30, so kids can get here after school. 

Theros Beyond Death Prerelease.  Adding New Times FRIDAY—3:30 pm Jr. Sealed and 7:30 pm Sr. (15+) sealed. Sealed (6 packs) Sat at 10 and 4, and Sun at 4 (competitive or casual). Two Headed Giant at 3 on Sunday. $30 in advance, $35 day of the event.

What: Theros Beyond Death Sealed Sealed Standard event (get 6 packs of the new stuff and build best 40 card deck.)  Play either competitive (at least 4 rounds, with bigger fistfuls of prize packs for the winners, but needing to win at least two rounds to get any prize packs.) or casual (play three rounds, win a round, win a pack). Choose when you sign up. (Friday Events are Casual only, as is the THG)

When: Events Friday, 3:30 pm (kids 9-14) 7:30 pm (Sr.  15 and older) Sat at 10, Sat at 4, Sun at 10 and a two-headed Giant, Sunday at 3 pm.

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.

 

 

 

4pm Sat Theros Beyond Death Prerelease

“PREVIOUSLY, ON THEROS . . .

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.”  (from the Wizard’s site…click here for more)

Note: The kids event…Packs available starting at 3:30, play at 4:30, so kids can get here after school. 

Theros Beyond Death Prerelease.  Adding New Times FRIDAY—3:30 pm Jr. Sealed and 7:30 pm Sr. (15+) sealed. Sealed (6 packs) Sat at 10 and 4, and Sun at 4 (competitive or casual). Two Headed Giant at 3 on Sunday. $30 in advance, $35 day of the event.

What: Theros Beyond Death Sealed Sealed Standard event (get 6 packs of the new stuff and build best 40 card deck.)  Play either competitive (at least 4 rounds, with bigger fistfuls of prize packs for the winners, but needing to win at least two rounds to get any prize packs.) or casual (play three rounds, win a round, win a pack). Choose when you sign up. (Friday Events are Casual only, as is the THG)

When: Events Friday, 3:30 pm (kids 9-14) 7:30 pm (Sr.  15 and older) Sat at 10, Sat at 4, Sun at 10 and a two-headed Giant, Sunday at 3 pm.

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.

 

 

 

10am Sat Theros Beyond Death Prerelease

[Note..ignore $20 price sometimes shown…$35 day of event/$30 in advance]

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.”  (from the Wizard’s site…click here for more)

Note: The kids event…Packs available starting at 3:30, play at 4:30, so kids can get here after school. 

Theros Beyond Death Prerelease.  Adding New Times FRIDAY—3:30 pm Jr. Sealed and 7:30 pm Sr. (15+) sealed. Sealed (6 packs) Sat at 10 and 4, and Sun at 4 (competitive or casual). Two Headed Giant at 3 on Sunday. $30 in advance, $35 day of the event.

What: Theros Beyond Death Sealed Sealed Standard event (get 6 packs of the new stuff and build best 40 card deck.)  Play either competitive (at least 4 rounds, with bigger fistfuls of prize packs for the winners, but needing to win at least two rounds to get any prize packs.) or casual (play three rounds, win a round, win a pack). Choose when you sign up. (Friday Events are Casual only, as is the THG)

When: Events Friday, 3:30 pm (kids 9-14) 7:30 pm (Sr.  15 and older) Sat at 10, Sat at 4, Sun at 10 and a two-headed Giant, Sunday at 3 pm.

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.

 

 

 

Fri Adult Theros Beyond Death Prerelease

 

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.”  (from the Wizard’s site…click here for more)

Note: The kids event…Packs available starting at 3:30, play at 4:30, so kids can get here after school. 

Theros Beyond Death Prerelease.  Adding New Times FRIDAY—3:30 pm Jr. Sealed and 7:30 pm Sr. (15+) sealed. Sealed (6 packs) Sat at 10 and 4, and Sun at 4 (competitive or casual). Two Headed Giant at 3 on Sunday. $30 in advance, $35 day of the event.

What: Theros Beyond Death Sealed Sealed Standard event (get 6 packs of the new stuff and build best 40 card deck.)  Play either competitive (at least 4 rounds, with bigger fistfuls of prize packs for the winners, but needing to win at least two rounds to get any prize packs.) or casual (play three rounds, win a round, win a pack). Choose when you sign up. (Friday Events are Casual only, as is the THG)

When: Events Friday, 3:30 pm (kids 9-14) 7:30 pm (Sr.  15 and older) Sat at 10, Sat at 4, Sun at 10 and a two-headed Giant, Sunday at 3 pm.

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.

 

 

 

Fri Kids Theros Beyond Death Prerelease

“PREVIOUSLY, ON THEROS . . .

To fight the sun god Heliod, the forge god Purphoros created a sword capable of damaging the divine. The two gods battled, disrupting the celestial resting place of an ancient and powerful hydra: Polukranos, World Eater. Enraged, the hydra stormed through the mortal realm of Theros until it was sealed by Heliod and the hunt god Nylea.”  (from the Wizard’s site…click here for more)

Theros Beyond Death Prerelease.  Adding New Times FRIDAY—3:30 pm Jr. Sealed and 7:30 pm Sr. (15+) sealed. Sealed (6 packs) Sat at 10 and 4, and Sun at 4 (competitive or casual). Two Headed Giant at 3 on Sunday. $30 in advance, $35 day of the event.

What: Theros Beyond Death Sealed Sealed Standard event (get 6 packs of the new stuff and build best 40 card deck.)  Play either competitive (at least 4 rounds, with bigger fistfuls of prize packs for the winners, but needing to win at least two rounds to get any prize packs.) or casual (play three rounds, win a round, win a pack). Choose when you sign up. (Friday Events are Casual only, as is the THG)

When: Events Friday, 3:30 pm (kids 9-14) 7:30 pm (Sr.  15 and older) Sat at 10, Sat at 4, Sun at 10 and a two-headed Giant, Sunday at 3 pm.

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.

 

Pokemon Cosmic Eclipse Prerelease

Cosmic Eclipse Prerelease!Prereleases are back at D20 Games.  Extremely limited space (30 spots).  Registration in advance is HIGHLY recommended to avoid heartbroken/sad faces on the day of the event.  This is the third set that used the Tag team mechanic that blends two Pokemon on one card.

Must be present at start time of 11 am at the latest.  Each player gets  pre-release box which contains the following:

  • 4 Sun & Moon -Unbroken Bonds Booster Packs
  • 1 (23 card) Evolution Pack (randomized sets of cards that include two colors and a set of connected evolution to form the base of the deck you will build.)
  • 1 of 4 alt-art promo cards
  • 1 Deck building tip sheet

In addition to that… each player who completes the 3 rounds of Swiss Play will receive 3 more Packs of Cosmic Eclipse!  This is a competition, but for fun.  Prizes are for participation, not for winning or losing.

Visual spoiler for the set.

 

 

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