SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE WEEKEND 27th and 28th OF SEPTEMBER 2008
All,
First things first, I hope that you have all had a good summer. My summer went by in a blur. A couple of holidays and in between an M-Fest trade stand have kept me nice and busy. Eventide events seem like a long time ago and the set appears to have been a huge hit. Our attention turns to the new block starting with the Shards of Alara Pre-Release weekend at the end of the month.
By the way, in case you don’t usually read to the end of the e-mail you may want to scan the 2008 and 2009 future event dates as these have been updated.
Changes to Pre-Releases.
You may or may not have heard about changes to the way Pre-Releases as a whole are run from this point on so I’ll run down the changes as they will affect events that I run.
Firstly, the Wizards Play Network has been introduced. This is a global look at organised play and as the Wizards web-site says “Within the network, organizers will be grouped by level, with increasing level denoting increased responsibility for event reporting, increased prize support, and increased freedom to run more prestigious content.” Currently there are three levels available: Gateway, Core and Advanced. My application has been processed and I have been awarded ‘Advanced’ level status for Magic the Gathering.
Advanced level organisers can run Pre-Release events on both days of the Pre-Release weekend. For me, that means that I’ll be running as usual with an event at Birmingham on Saturday and an event at Stafford on Sunday. I won’t be running flights; I’ll just be running one main event as usual. No changes there.
Now for the bit that does change. Booster drafts using the pre-release product aren’t allowed on the Pre-Release weekend anymore. This is a change that will affect some of you as in the past I have run two or three drafts per day after the main event has finished for those players that want to take part. This isn’t any longer an option so it means that the Pre-Release weekend is all about the main events. I am able to run booster drafts, but with older product so I’ll be able to run a Shadowmoor block draft for example if people wanted me to.
Finally for new players there is a new option available. Any new player [one that registers for a DCI number and has not played in organised events before] who doesn’t feel that they want to take part in the main sealed event will be able to purchase an Intro Pack [the new replacement for Theme Decks] and be able to play friendly duels with other new players or duels with players from the main event who have either finished their round or have the bye. The idea of this is that the new player doesn’t have to muddle through deck construction in the main event but can just come along, get an Intro Pack and get some tips from the more experienced players or judging staff playing friendly duels. If you already come along to my events and have played sanctioned events before, you aren’t really the target audience for this additional way to play so don’t worry about it.
Please note that the Intro Packs themselves are not on general sale until the Release Events the following weekend.
That is it folks. Hopefully I have explained the changes as best I can with the information that I have, please e-mail me if you have heard anything different from the above just in case I have the wrong end of the stick.
If you have any strong feelings on the changes, please mention them to me at the events so that I can get a good idea of the player reaction to the changes. It is always useful to hear about what you do or don’t like for feedback to Colin and Tom at Hasbro.
On to the Pre-Release Weekend details:
SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE WEEKEND 27th and 28th OF SEPTEMBER 2008
Event notes:
[1] As I have had so many enquiries about the forthcoming Shards of AlaraTM Pre-Release tournaments, this e-mail includes all relevant information for both the Stafford and the Birmingham tournaments. Pick and choose the information that you need.
[2] We will be continuing to use deck pool registration at all pre-release events.
[3] Price for admission is £16.00 for two reasons. Firstly, it falls in line with Wizards of the Coast pricing guidelines and secondly because the product given to each player to use on the day is one Shards of AlaraTM tournament pack and three Shards of AlaraTM boosters.
[4] To encourage players to attend both events, I will be continuing with the £2.00 deduction in the cost of entry to any player enrolling in the Stafford Pre-Release who played in the Birmingham Pre-Release the previous day. This makes it a nice even £30 to play in both events. I realise that this isn’t an enormous saving, but I received positive feedback for this at previous Pre-Release weekends so I’m happy to continue to offer this discount.
[5] As usual I’ll be filling the traditional Grab Bag with the contents of some Shards of AlaraTM boosters as additional prizes.
[6] Again as usual, I have had winner’s trophies engraved. The trophies are a popular part of the Pre-Release events and everybody wants to win one!
I look forward to seeing you at the events.
Steve
Here are the usual event details:
BIRMINGHAM SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE SATURDAY 27th OF SEPTEMBER 2008
VENUE: Quality Hotel Birmingham, 166 Hagley Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, England B16 9NZ
The venue is probably only about 15 minutes from the city centre easily accessible from New Street Station. Road links are very good from the M6 and the M5 as you will see on the map.
If you are travelling by car, there is parking for over a hundred cars but most of the spaces are at the back of the hotel. Drive towards the red barrier at the right hand side of the venue and it will automatically open. All you need to do when leaving is pick up a parking token from the hotel reception. Parking is free if you have used the hotel facilities, so there will be no parking charge for players attending the event.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: According to locals, as far as trains are concerned, it’s quicker to go to Five Ways station if possible, walk to the Five Ways shopping centre and then just walk down Hagley Road. From New Street Station the 128 and the 129 buses from Corporation Street (1 min walk from New Street) go down the Hagley Road (and I’m sure there must be others too). If you are travelling by train and you are running late I’d suggest just getting a taxi to the venue. I suspect that it is less than a 10 minute drive from New Street Station.
Website: http://www.quality-hotels-birmingham.com/
Directions: These are available from the Hotel’s website:
http://www.quality-hotels-birmingham.com/details/GB605%20large%20map.jpg
START TIME: Enrolment from 9:30am till 10:30am. Deck construction will start at about 11:00am.
FORMAT: The format for each Pre-release tournament is DCITM-sanctioned Shards of AlaraTM Sealed Deck.
Rules Enforcement Level: 1
ENTRY FEE: £16.00 for main event
Cost of entry includes one (1) Shards of AlaraTM tournament pack and three (3) Shards of AlaraTM boosters.
PRIZES: As per Wizards of the Coast premier event prize structure.
Special commemorative Shards of AlaraTM card for each tournament participant, while supplies last.
SIDE EVENTS: Booster Draft side events [non Shards of AlaraTM] available all day long.
ENTRY FEE: £8.00 for Booster Drafts (12 Boosters as prizes split 5/3/2/2)
STAFFORD SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE SUNDAY 28th OF SEPTEMBER 2008
VENUE: Oddfellows Hall, Greengate Street, Stafford, ST16 2HP.
Please contact me for more directions if you haven’t been to this venue before.
START TIME: Enrolment from 9:30am till 10:30am. Deck construction will start at about 11:00am.
FORMAT: The format for each Pre-release tournament is DCITM-sanctioned Shards of AlaraTM Sealed Deck.
Rules Enforcement Level: 1
ENTRY FEE: £16.00 for main event
Cost of entry includes one (1) Shards of AlaraTM tournament pack and three (3) Shards of AlaraTM boosters.
PRIZES: As per Wizards of the Coast premier event prize structure.
Special commemorative Shards of AlaraTM card for each tournament participant, while supplies last.
SIDE EVENTS: Booster Draft side events [non Shards of AlaraTM] available all day long.
ENTRY FEE: £8.00 for Booster Drafts (12 Boosters as prizes split 5/3/2/2)
TO PRE-REGISTER FOR AN EVENT:
Send an e-mail to this address: stephen DOT avann AT ntlworld DOT com with your FULL NAME and DCI NUMBER (If you have one) BEFORE 5:30PM on the FRIDAY NIGHT before the events, as this is the last time that I will check my e-mail before the tournament. Alternatively I can be contacted on my mobile from 6:30pm until 10pm on the following number: 07989201808. Please don’t try to phone me before 6:30pm as I will be busy.
Hope to see you at the events over the weekend,
Steve
FUTURE EVENTS 2008
October – Sunday 5th – Stafford – Shards of Alara Release
As usual the Release event will take place on Sunday at Stafford. This is the first chance to buy Shards of Alara singles, boosters, boxes, intro packs and fat packs.
October – Saturday 11th – Birmingham – TBC
November – Saturday 8th – Birmingham – TBC
The format of both Birmingham events is to be confirmed pending PTQ applications.
November – Sunday 16th – Stafford – Big Bag Draft
The Big Bag Draft is the usual way to end the year. This year in response to player demand I have moved this iconic event into November so that players can manage to fit it in around the demands of the festive season. This year the places will be limited to probably about 40 players so when registration opens for the event make sure you get your name down as soon as possible.
NOTE: I have a set of From the Vault: Dragons to give away as part of the prize fund for this event!
December – No events are currently booked for December.
FUTURE EVENTS 2009
January – Saturday 31st – Birmingham – Conflux Pre Release
February – Sunday 1st – Stafford – Conflux Pre Release
The first events of 2009 are the Pre-Releases for the second set in the Shards block, Conflux. It may seem a long way away but try to get these events in your diaries now! More details as they appear.
February – Sunday 8th – Stafford – Conflux Release
As usual the Release event will take place on Sunday at Stafford. This is the first chance to buy Conflux singles, boosters, boxes, intro packs and fat packs.