Marril2k Challenges the Gym Challenge: Boston
By: Marril2kHey everyone. The Gym Challenge: Boston was a great event, and like all my other write-ups for these events, its back to the beginning of the story I guess.
Planning greatly for this event, I found my self, Saturday night packing quickly so I could at least get some sleep. Realizing that my copy of the Master Ruling Document was outdated (incase a 'judge guy' wanted to see it), I figured I should print out a new copy. Doh! I was out of paper to print, and didn't feel like getting more from the basement, so I figured that they would have the document there. Next I sleeved my Zeo Edition deck for the Zeo Edition battle I challenged flea to. We both had to build a deck under the following conditions:
- Zeo Edition Format (zot beta):
- Players must have a 60-card deck (no more, no less), made up of only cards from the Zeo Edition (a card stamped with a gold and silver 'Z').
- Players may use Basic, Darkness, Metal, Miracle, and Colorless energy cards printed by wizards of the coast in deck construction.
- Players may use proxy cards.
I decided to use a water deck made up of a crazy combo with Azumarill and Suicune. I took a few minutes searching for some Double Colorless energy (note: the rules only state colorless, not an exact version of the colorless cards :P). Being unsuccessful and only finding two DCE, I decided just to pop 2 Reverse Holographic Rainbow Energy cards left over from the league into the remaining space where the DCE would have gone. I searched around for some water energy, then all that I needed where deck sleeves. Originally I wanted to use blue Ultra Pro keeping my theme of all my decks either being in Ultra Pro blue or the Pokémon Center NY sleeves… but I couldn't find any, doh! Well luckily I had extra clear deck sleeves [shudders] and with no choice I ended up using them. Half way through sleeving the deck I realized that the deck was looking kind of larger then 60 cards. After spending about 10 minutes to find a solution why, I realized the card stock I used for the card made it a bit thicker then I thought it would… so now it looks like a 70 or 80 card deck, and was a bit hard to hold. When I was done, I printed out a special Zeo Online Tournaments 2 deck form to use when filling out the deck, to give to flea after. When I was done filling out my deck sheet, I figured it would be a good idea to get a jump onto tomorrow and fill out a DCI deck check form. Good thing down in New Jersey I asked if I could have some deck sheets (I ended up with a stack of about 40 forms), that way I wouldn't have to get paper or use up some of my black ink. Sadly without ever getting around to it, I never actually made another modified deck then what I played in the Stadium Challenge: East, so it was the same Feraligatr deck, oh well. But the deck did have a few minor changes. First the deck was re-sleeved into Pokémon Center New York copper sleeves. Then I had it packaged up in my official Zeo Deck Skin, it looked all good. From here on, I packed the usual stuff, Camera (equipped with a new memory card for double the photo fun :D), Promo and the Promo Box (Steve's Elekid was the event's promo), some additional league badges left over from year two of the league to pass around, an older copy of the Master Ruling Document, Vs. translation guide incase anyone wanted to play a Vs. game, my damage counter sack, some special promo packs for people, a few pens and paper, and lastly food. At each event I always bring one or two different snack foods, and offer some to some people. This event's selected food was Pizza flavored gold fish and 'fun size' Snickers, don't let hunger happen to you. And I admit that the one and only snack food I had that went quick was the Snickers, don't let hunger happen to you. I figured I was just about all packed, decided to get a jump on tomorrow and put my money and other things such as my watch in one spot so there wouldn't be a risk of forgetting anything that is really needed. With that done, I changed my alarm clock to go off at 5:30 and it was finally time for sleep… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….
Beeeeep-beep! Beep! Beep!
I roll over to realize I slept through my alarm clock going off for about 10 minutes… I quickly get out of bed, and take a shower. I was ready to go at about 6am est, but instead waited till 6:30am est before I was ready to leave. So I spent some of the extra time double checking my packing and decided to check out the Zeo site and forums.
6:30 finally rolled around and it was time to hit the road, but first a fun pit stop. I decided it would be good to stop at Dunkin' Donuts, mmm…Donuts. Well after getting something to eat, it was back on the road for another enjoyable… [looks at watch] hour and half. Nothing really much exciting about the way down… well I did see a few cars and a lot of pavement…. There is no real funny tail this time about getting lost, we have been this way already once and well… its not that hard to get lost, especially when map quest is 95% correct for once. Once I got to Milford I started looking around for places to possibly have dinner after the event on my way to TJ's Collectables. So far nothing really good to eat, except I did pass 2 different Dunkin' Donuts on the same road… interesting.
I finally arrived at the store (well the parking lot in the back of the store), and got out to find the 'original 7' (part of the group that was there early for the wcsts2, I am one :D). 'Yo-yo guy', flea, and the rest where all there, just as last time. It turns out that they would not let any of us into the store till later… I guess they had some "Cleaning up" to do. So we all stood around in the parking lot, talked for a bit. I offered everyone who needed one a DCI deck check form (I crammed a few in my backpack incase anyone needed one), and everyone who was playing took the offer. Then 'yo-yo guy' showed me two funny movies and one funny audio on his laptop. The audio clip was something I think called the whole season of Pokémon in 1:18, and then a movie with stick figures fighting and then something to do with pong (but I don't remember). Well after that we all stood around and talked for a bit then store owner guy came out of the store… yet locked the door and then took off in his car… doh!
So we all stood around and talked more… the finally store owner guy came back, this time with donuts! (but they ended up for the event staff). He let us into the event basement, I was possibly the only one who rushed to get in (I was or I think the first one to enter the store). I quickly noticed the first change, a pepsi [shudders] machine right next to the store's back exit. I walked down the same steep stairs, as last time to find a, whole new basement. Where to even start… Well first off before the basement used to for a "L" shape, but now it was all opened up. Also they added more spectator seating, which where couches :D. Along with that they also added 10 arcade games and another pepsi [shudder] vending machine. They also moved the location of the registration area into the newer area. Also they added an extra stair way which was right by the registration area to get up stairs, so it made traffic flow down their a lot better. One of my favorite improvements down the 'tournament hall/basement' would have to be the snack vending machine. Although they didn't have any Snickers, don't let hunger happen to you, they had 4 little code shelves filled with deck sleeves, and then 4 little rack numbers with magic cards. It had to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
I wandered over to the New registration area handed them my deck list, DCI card, and the $5 entry fee… just with that I was in. From here, I walked around, talked with people, and learned that one of today's head judges would be BJJ763. I also walked around catching a bunch of photos (which is part two of this three part Gym Challenge: Boston coverage). I then decided to head on up stairs and see if there was anything I wanted to purchase. First up did they have e-cards? Nope… how about Japanese base set cards… nope, no Japanese cards at all… But I did find this cool glass Ultra pro box which can hold up to 4 decks with a little extra space. I found it would be more easier to bring stuff to events and the league so I purchased one, along with another Lucite Card Holder for my 1st edition Genesis Togetic signed by the Pokémon Company to put it up on my shelf.
After my purchases, I headed down stairs and found charwolf to see if he was up for battle. He used a Lt. Surge deck and I used my Zeo Edition deck. After the first battle I lost because of lack of basic, and that repeated in the second battle. But still it was great trying out a deck in which I have never played before. Plus my opponent needed to read every card I played, I found some entertainment in that. I went over and sat at one of the round tables, when someone else I knew well I put away my decks in the new Ultra pro card box.
It was now just about 11am EST, and it was time for the event to start. 'Judge Guy" for the 11-14 (not BJJ763, he watched the 10 and under) put up the parings and we all sat across from our opponents awaiting the announcements. With the fans running and no pa system for use, it was really hard to hear. But the penalty they where enforcing seemed to be a you add a prize, and loose your hand to a deck (just even for the minor things it seemed)… later on I found out that the judge guy in 11-14 didn't even play Pokémon… the 10 and under where lucky they had BJJ763. Well eventually they said go, and well here is round one:
Well it started off like just any battle. My Feraligatr deck was actually doing good agenced this person who seemed like a new player in a DCI tournament. About midpoint into the battle I played a Misty's wrath and was looking through the seven cards I get from wrath when he holds up the top card of his deck at a slight angle, kind of like his is board… waiting for me to finish up (well I got an elm, and can say my turn would not be over yet). I had a feeling he knew his next card he was going to draw, which would give him early strategizing time. I explained to him why he shouldn't do that and well, I told him he should just put it randomly back into his deck (or I would call over a judge to settle it), I was simply trying to be nice to this new player so he wouldn't get disqualified. Well to cut the details that's what happened, it was just randomly replaced into the deck, and well. After beating him at the end of the match, and the result slip gets handed in, its between matches and I am cleaning up. He gets a judge to come over. We cant get anything replaced because everything is signed so he asked about the deck deal with him looking at it. The magic judge guy says he would have seen nothing too wrong with that when it happened, but since it was too late there was nothing he could do. If he was called over earlier I could have been disqualified… but instead I just had a warning assigned to me :/ well I guess its mostly my fault for trying to be nice and not going strictly by their rules and getting a judge over… oh great, I thought, my first DCI penalty…. Well it kept me on high paying attention alert for the rest of the day….
Well nothing big happened between matches I recounted my damage counters and considered buying lunch… then the pairings where up! Round two was nothing much, it was a quick match mainly because I couldn't draw what was needed… I ended up losing because of lack of basic in playing field, doh!
Before round 3 started, I did the same thing, considered lunch, but then figured I would not have time to eat so I waited I and said I would eat after this round if it ended quick enough. Pairings went up,. And I took a seat, then I heard someone say the wrong pairings where up. And 'magic-judge-guy' came over with a list and let us look. I pointed out the top said "Round 2 Pairings" so he went back over then finally came back with the correct pairings. The store was nice enough and gave us all a free holographic cards. I got a Neo Revelation Raikou. Then my round three opponent came and sat across from me, it turned out I would be playing flea for round 3. Once we could start we quickly started playing… of coarse after getting a mulligan 4 times in a row -_-. Once I finally had a basic. Well after getting the mulligan four times, and about 29 minutes later… time was up. I had beaten flea by prizes. I have drawn 3 and flea still had 6 down.
And finally I figured, time ran up, I would wait for lunch… I was starting to get hungry but waited because 'magic-judge-guy' just posted the round 4 pairings. After a great battle, I ended up losing this one in the end. I just could not manage to get a Totodile. My opponent Knocked out one but after the match I checked it out and the other 3 where still in my, or the remains of my 20 or so card deck… I just couldn't manage to get one out of the deck in time, oh well….
A quick loss, time for the lunch of players. The store seemed to have pizza getting delivered from a place in town, it was not to bad, just a bit cold. After eating the pizza, I got a Mountain Dew, then wandered the store for a minute. Then it was back into the action. I was just in time to stand around for a few more minutes then it was time for the final round for the 11-14, Round 5. Round five was played challenging another person of the 'original 7'. I don't remember his name, but he did play a Dark Charizard deck. For once, my deck worked perfectly. I actually was happen how everything ran so smoothly, and took out one or maybe two of his Dark Charizards, only taking some minor damage. Over all I won the game because of his lack of basic. I ended up with 8 points that day as a total. It was great.
Shortly after round five, the prizes for the top 16 where handed out. I ended up scoring 4 neo destiny packs for my place as player 15 in the over all standings. This was my first time in the Challenge Series 2002 I won some free prize. I am glad with the turn out. Once I was done with that, the final 8 started. During the single elimination round, I walked around a bit, and got some player oppions. Finally I asked flea if he wanted to play a modified vs. Zeo Edition deck battle. He accepted and I took out the deck, but flea did find a good combo with Neo Genesis Murkrow's Feint attack, and my Dodge ball Gym, can you find the combo? Over all I beat flea in possibly one of the most fun battles I had that day. After the match, it was time for flea and the other 'original 7' to get going. I said bye, and went over to the judging station.
Over at the judges station I asked if I could get a print out of the standings for both age groups. Judy who was running DCI reporter said why not, and printed me out a copy for each of the official trip winning age brackets. Then I noticed the extra Challenge Series 2002 staff shirts sitting by the printer. I asked if I could have one, and she checked with 'store owner guy'. For a small fee around the cost of $10 I was able to buy one. I used some of the money I had for deck skins on it. Well that completed one of my challenge series 2002 goals….
Next up was to collect some data now that 10 and under and 11-14 finals just finished. Well taking the golden ticket trip for the ten and under, we will bee seeing Daniel Mermelstein at the Pokémon Worlds championships. For the 11-14 age bracket, Jared Hawkins took the top prize with is gatr deck. We will also look forward to seeing you at Pokémon Worlds this August. Afterwards, I asked 'head judge guy' BJJ763 some questions regarding being a Pokémon professor and a head judge at today's event. My first question was 'what did you think was the weirdest ruling today'. His response would had to be on the card Blaine's Quiz #1. The next, and actually last question I asked would be 'what where the most played decks out of each age group?' Well since he only watched the 10 and under, he response was that the 10 and under had a very well mix of decks. Since BJJ763 was not sure about the other age groups I did some adventuring my self. According to the 11-14 winner (and his friend), the most played/seen deck in the 11-14 bracket would have to be Crobat with Feraligatr closely following behind (yet gatr one the 11-14). Next up was to find the results for the 15 plus most used deck. I asked a friend of mine in that age group, Scott Kukshtel. He said he figured that the 15 plus age group was also very well mixed up, no exact one dominating deck. Could gatr's reign of terror finally coming to the end? I can't wait to see what's in store with the New Modified :D.
Now that I had all the pictures I wanted, and information collected there really was not much left to do. I took a seat near the finals for the 15 plus to see the final match. I watched about 15 minutes of it until I decided it was time to go. I was getting tired, and the match was still tied at six prizes a piece. I said good bye to BJJ763 and wanted to slip out of the store quietly when, lumaga found me. I told him I was leaving and said good bye. Then it was off for dinner, a stop at the local McDonalds. Yet sadly they didn't have any Japanese promos in the meals :P
So that's basically it. That is how the event went, I found the event to be very well ran, with an exception on that screw up in pairings before round 3, but what are you going to do? Over all it was a good time, and I look forward to the next Boston event. All for now,
-marril2k
Marril2k Challenge Series 2002:
Gym Challenge: Boston CoverageHey i collected alot more information then whats just listed above, check out some of my other coverage i collected!
Marril2k Challenges the Gym Challenge: Boston
Gym Challenge: Boston 2002 Photos
Gym Challenge: Boston 2002 Results
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