Sabett
Active Member
Oh I see, I just didn't know there was such a thing as a evolved basic. Pokemon has some awkward terminology sometimes.
Annual Pokegym Mutant Booster Draft (SWISS) @Nationals Sat. 6/26
- Thread starter spookees
- Start date
HypnosProjectHQ
New Member
It sounds like fun, but it is late. Depends on what the prizes are.
Rogue Archetype
Moderator <br> Contest Host
I really wish this could be MD-On so everyone could walk away with usable cards.
That's my only big gripe w/ this. MD-on would make this an incredible experience.
That's my only big gripe w/ this. MD-on would make this an incredible experience.
Last edited:
Mama_Luigi
New Member
Hopefully LA/GE will be added to that list. I want to actually make a playable gyradoes deck.
BlueZangoose
New Member
How long will this last, exactly? I can't stay too incredibly late.
Yea....I had to drop after round 1 because of time issues....I even had a Jungle Mime....
4-1 at 3am
My 7 yr old and I stayed to the end, went 4-1 and ended the tournament at 3am. We were starving so went to Steak and Shake for sliders and fries. Lots of fun. I know one ten year old, Jessie W. went 5-0. I don't know if anyone else went 5-0. Its funny, but the kids got more energy as the night wore on and the parents were like...uhhh.... is it my turn......?
My 7 yr old and I stayed to the end, went 4-1 and ended the tournament at 3am. We were starving so went to Steak and Shake for sliders and fries. Lots of fun. I know one ten year old, Jessie W. went 5-0. I don't know if anyone else went 5-0. Its funny, but the kids got more energy as the night wore on and the parents were like...uhhh.... is it my turn......?
Ok, so this was probably the worst tournament I have ever participated in. There were obviously issues with the staff as it started almost two hours late and it just dragged on with no end ever in sight. Personally, I felt attacked by those in charge as they often yelled for everyone to be quiet and threatened to kick people out. The woman in charge did not provide a friendly enviroment for the Poke-community. The judges made incorrect rulings and clearly had no idea about limited and unlimited formats. Lack of prize support was no made clear throughout the night and the majority of entrants dropped before the 5 rounds were over and rightly so. Also, as a clarification, draft is quite different from sealed. Let's get it right for future reference.
I almost soiled myself when they started yelling at the people who were chanting, "We want pakcs"......I was standing right next to the guy who started it. His reaction to it was hilarious though. Im definitely thinking about doing it again next year if it were to be at a better time.
HypnosProjectHQ
New Member
It was absolutely horrible, and unless another organizer runs it next year, there is no way this will be run again. And all we got was a die for sticking around. I feel as though I wasted $40 ($20 for me and for my girlfriend), wasted 6ish hours of my time (mind you, there were only 5 rounds and only 20 minute rounds), and I wasted my breathe. The staff was ridiculously rude and unorganized. They kept telling us there were issues with the program, but the organizer still refused to give out prizes before nearly 150 people poured out because the tournament flat out stunk. After the tournament, one staff member even made an extremely insulting comment about my name that I happened to overhear. And overall, I don't want anyone to take this personally, because I'm sure spookees is a decent person, but she was an absolute horrible organizer with a horrid staff, and me and my friends who played will definitely be protesting this event and organizer.
DIZZtheWHIZZ
New Member
Pretty much covers everything I wanted to mention. This was not only the worst Pokemon event I've ever been to, but also one of the worst experiences Ive had in a while.
I'd like to point out a few things before the "worst event ever" comments and "sealed not draft" things continue.
Everyone at the event had something to learn. Whether it was player(s) or staff, there were many lessons taught and a lot clarified and to be clarified.
First the "Draft"
Yes, it was by traditional card definitions a Sealed tournament, but running a Draft with the idea of using any packs in Pokemon is nearly impossible. You'd have to give everyone the same packs (at least series) in the same order. Also, a lot of the younger kids don't know how to and won't really understand a traditional draft. By definition:
12. a selection or drawing of persons, by lot or otherwise, from the general body of the people for military service; levy; conscription.
13. the persons so selected.
14. Sports . a selecting or drawing of new players from a choice group of amateur players by professional teams, esp. a system of selecting new players so that each team in a professional league receives some of the most promising players.
Technically in any sealed tournament you Draft the cards to use in your deck.
How the tournament was run-
There was a lot learned by the staff in my opinion. From what I heard, Nationals last year (2009) was also a lesson learned, but the same applies to the Mutant Draft 2010. Things I heard mentioned include POSSIBLY:
-Having flights instead of one large tournament
-Multiple computers to run TOM
-A more defined cap on the number of players, though player caps are never fun
I don't think ANYONE expected the number of people that turned out at the event. I talked to some of the staff and they said they expected at most ~100 while a lot of the players expected ~50 players. What some didn't realize is that at a certain point, players were turned away either because there weren't enough seats at the time or they were just too late.
I feel the late start was as much a technical issue as it was a player issue. Even at after 10pm players were still coming in, extending the line and making registration virtually never ending. The staff made the right call to eventually cut off registration and turn people away, much to their dismay. The technical issues were a major factor, and I'm sure next year's will run much smoother. For those that stuck around, didn't rounds 3, 4, & 5 go much smoother and quicker?
The staff there was appropriate for the number of expected players. However, with the actual number of players, there wasn't much that could be done at the time, so I applaud their efforts. With the lack of a PA system, the crowd HAD to be told to quiet down or else announcements could not be heard.
As for the irritated/rude staff/judges. The TO needed to focus on getting match slips entered and ensure that everything software-wise went smoothly after the initial problems, so often she deferred people to another of the staff in the area to answer questions, which may have seemed rude, but it was to not further delay the event. The rest of the staff had to deal with the same questions from many different people
"What are the prizes" "Is that box a prize" "are those deck boxes prizes" "will my record affect my prizes" "if I go X/X will I get anything" etc etc etc
Multiple people asking the same questions over and over again, especially if they were answered in announcements where people were probably talking and not listening makes things drag on for the staff and keep them from doing what they need to do.
In all, from what I understand, the Mutant Draft is just meant to be something fun and random that is a PARTICIPATION event. It is not intended to be a competition of skill or who can be the best, but rather just something to have fun playing. Yes, there was issues, and some of the staff did get irritated, but what can you do in regards to the situation? I think the integrity of the event was upheld as everything was held as intended to the end. Unfortunately it did run very late, but again, lessons have been learned, and next year's event can only get better.
Before I end, I'd like to remind everyone that these are my thoughts and opinions and they do not reflect the thoughts of the staff of the event as a whole. I was there, and I wound up being a sort of last-minute volunteer for the event. I thought it was amazing that the staff stayed for the whole event when a lot of them needed to be up early to play in or help run the Professor cup or other main events the following morning!
Anyway, again, take this year's event as a lesson learned. For those that want to play next year, please register as early as possible! I'm sure next year's will be great!
Everyone at the event had something to learn. Whether it was player(s) or staff, there were many lessons taught and a lot clarified and to be clarified.
First the "Draft"
Yes, it was by traditional card definitions a Sealed tournament, but running a Draft with the idea of using any packs in Pokemon is nearly impossible. You'd have to give everyone the same packs (at least series) in the same order. Also, a lot of the younger kids don't know how to and won't really understand a traditional draft. By definition:
12. a selection or drawing of persons, by lot or otherwise, from the general body of the people for military service; levy; conscription.
13. the persons so selected.
14. Sports . a selecting or drawing of new players from a choice group of amateur players by professional teams, esp. a system of selecting new players so that each team in a professional league receives some of the most promising players.
Technically in any sealed tournament you Draft the cards to use in your deck.
How the tournament was run-
There was a lot learned by the staff in my opinion. From what I heard, Nationals last year (2009) was also a lesson learned, but the same applies to the Mutant Draft 2010. Things I heard mentioned include POSSIBLY:
-Having flights instead of one large tournament
-Multiple computers to run TOM
-A more defined cap on the number of players, though player caps are never fun
I don't think ANYONE expected the number of people that turned out at the event. I talked to some of the staff and they said they expected at most ~100 while a lot of the players expected ~50 players. What some didn't realize is that at a certain point, players were turned away either because there weren't enough seats at the time or they were just too late.
I feel the late start was as much a technical issue as it was a player issue. Even at after 10pm players were still coming in, extending the line and making registration virtually never ending. The staff made the right call to eventually cut off registration and turn people away, much to their dismay. The technical issues were a major factor, and I'm sure next year's will run much smoother. For those that stuck around, didn't rounds 3, 4, & 5 go much smoother and quicker?
The staff there was appropriate for the number of expected players. However, with the actual number of players, there wasn't much that could be done at the time, so I applaud their efforts. With the lack of a PA system, the crowd HAD to be told to quiet down or else announcements could not be heard.
As for the irritated/rude staff/judges. The TO needed to focus on getting match slips entered and ensure that everything software-wise went smoothly after the initial problems, so often she deferred people to another of the staff in the area to answer questions, which may have seemed rude, but it was to not further delay the event. The rest of the staff had to deal with the same questions from many different people
"What are the prizes" "Is that box a prize" "are those deck boxes prizes" "will my record affect my prizes" "if I go X/X will I get anything" etc etc etc
Multiple people asking the same questions over and over again, especially if they were answered in announcements where people were probably talking and not listening makes things drag on for the staff and keep them from doing what they need to do.
In all, from what I understand, the Mutant Draft is just meant to be something fun and random that is a PARTICIPATION event. It is not intended to be a competition of skill or who can be the best, but rather just something to have fun playing. Yes, there was issues, and some of the staff did get irritated, but what can you do in regards to the situation? I think the integrity of the event was upheld as everything was held as intended to the end. Unfortunately it did run very late, but again, lessons have been learned, and next year's event can only get better.
Before I end, I'd like to remind everyone that these are my thoughts and opinions and they do not reflect the thoughts of the staff of the event as a whole. I was there, and I wound up being a sort of last-minute volunteer for the event. I thought it was amazing that the staff stayed for the whole event when a lot of them needed to be up early to play in or help run the Professor cup or other main events the following morning!
Anyway, again, take this year's event as a lesson learned. For those that want to play next year, please register as early as possible! I'm sure next year's will be great!
And unfortunately for those of us that registered on time it made for a LONG nigt. We actually were in the room at 730 or 800pm to register. Again, things like computer software glitches, printer problems, etc., we expect those things to happen. They happen to us now and then, and seem to happen at the most inopportune times.
Where my issues came from were something like this.
1)People were still being let into the event at 1030pm or later. Cutoff was 10pm. Why? Because they showed up late? Not sure. If the registration was going to run longer, it would have been possible for my family and I to go out and enjoy some time and not just sat in the gameroom waiting. With the 330am finish, we spent 7 hours there.
2) prizes were dispicable. I understand that they are donated, or that someone has to pay for them, but there needs to be some kind of improvement here. With the 250+players in the event, someone made out pretty good. Even if half the players brought in 6 packs insted of cash, this left over $2000 to pay for the product handed out and for prizes. And from what I saw those things that were handed out were very few and cheap. I ended up being the only 1 from our 20+ group that got a prize. A leftover t shirt. And from what I hear, I should be greatful I got that and not one of the stickers or pencils that some of the less than 30 folks that did get somethings received.
3) An announcement abou the dice may have convinced some to stay. This is something I do treasure from the Pokegym staff. I do have most if mot all the dice that the Pokegym staff have had made over the years, and am greatful that they do this. Only problem is more from our crew would have shared in the happiness of receiveing these if the announcement would have been made that they were being given out; or an announcement we could hear. They may have felt better about the money they spent if they had known hanging around a little longer to get dice was going to happen. I guess they will have to be envious of ours.
Other things kind of bugged me about the event, and many of them were mentioned by others. Believe me I have all the respect for those that put the event on and know how much wor goes into trying to put these things on. Perhaps my frustration is more towards how things went down then it was to what was being attempted. No available food or drink that late at night, kids out WAY past their bedtime, me being out way past mine, disappointment in prizes, and having to get up a few hours later to play in the Professor cup may have fuel my anger fire. Thats the way it goes I guess.
Where my issues came from were something like this.
1)People were still being let into the event at 1030pm or later. Cutoff was 10pm. Why? Because they showed up late? Not sure. If the registration was going to run longer, it would have been possible for my family and I to go out and enjoy some time and not just sat in the gameroom waiting. With the 330am finish, we spent 7 hours there.
2) prizes were dispicable. I understand that they are donated, or that someone has to pay for them, but there needs to be some kind of improvement here. With the 250+players in the event, someone made out pretty good. Even if half the players brought in 6 packs insted of cash, this left over $2000 to pay for the product handed out and for prizes. And from what I saw those things that were handed out were very few and cheap. I ended up being the only 1 from our 20+ group that got a prize. A leftover t shirt. And from what I hear, I should be greatful I got that and not one of the stickers or pencils that some of the less than 30 folks that did get somethings received.
3) An announcement abou the dice may have convinced some to stay. This is something I do treasure from the Pokegym staff. I do have most if mot all the dice that the Pokegym staff have had made over the years, and am greatful that they do this. Only problem is more from our crew would have shared in the happiness of receiveing these if the announcement would have been made that they were being given out; or an announcement we could hear. They may have felt better about the money they spent if they had known hanging around a little longer to get dice was going to happen. I guess they will have to be envious of ours.
Other things kind of bugged me about the event, and many of them were mentioned by others. Believe me I have all the respect for those that put the event on and know how much wor goes into trying to put these things on. Perhaps my frustration is more towards how things went down then it was to what was being attempted. No available food or drink that late at night, kids out WAY past their bedtime, me being out way past mine, disappointment in prizes, and having to get up a few hours later to play in the Professor cup may have fuel my anger fire. Thats the way it goes I guess.
bullados
<a href="http://pokegym.net/forums/showthread.php?
Maybe changing the format slightly would make this a better event for next year. I know I'd love to play in something like this at some point, and I'm pretty certain that others would enjoy it as well. Here's my thoughts...
The setup involves nothing more than the 8-man side event sheets and enough Judges to help out with the Drafting process. You sign up players either on a single sheet or on several rotating sheets until you have 8 players on a single sheet. Then, you call over a Judge who takes the players to a single table, sets them up for a PASS DRAFT (something I LOVE playing in), and helps them through the 5 to 10 minute process of pass drafting 10 packs. Give them a bracket after they've built their decks, and let them go at it. Players can re-register as many times as they like as long as they're not currently in an elimination bracket.
Given that booster packs flow like water at Nationals (I won something like 8 packs in just an hour or so of playing in 8-mans), it wouldn't be too difficult or expensive for players to get their boosters into the draft. It's also self-regulating, as the players have the most control over their situation, though there's still staff available to assist when necessary. Plus, there are plenty of players who also have Judging experience and would be able to both participate in and run a single bracket as long as it's already been set up.
Also, you could have a definite ending time. Like, the last Draft pod could start at Midnight or something like that, and you can enter them at-will. And it would eliminate the need for a computer and computer glitches disappear.
I know that at least one PTO runs his Prerelease side events like this, and they tend to work out very well for everybody involved.
Also, as far as a pass draft is concerned, especially with the Mutant format, it really doesn't matter if the packs are all the same or are all different. You could pretty much pull out 6 random boosters and draft with them, as there's no need for strict evolution lines. I know that the most fun draft I ever participated in used a player's choice of four different sets (Platinum, Arceus, HS, and Unleashed), had 8 players exactly, and we passed around virtually everything. Everybody got some kind of useful evolution line or Trainer setup, and everybody left quite happy with the event. And this was for a NORMAL booster draft. For a MUTANT, it would be even MORE enjoyable, cuz you'll have players drafting these insane type lines and doing well with them! Actually, I think it makes the draft more interesting utilizing the Mutant format with many different types of packs, as players will throw together combos that shouldn't work, but do (Ponyta T1 Ascension to Flareon ex? Melikes!)
Just a suggestion to smooth out the rough edges for next year.
The setup involves nothing more than the 8-man side event sheets and enough Judges to help out with the Drafting process. You sign up players either on a single sheet or on several rotating sheets until you have 8 players on a single sheet. Then, you call over a Judge who takes the players to a single table, sets them up for a PASS DRAFT (something I LOVE playing in), and helps them through the 5 to 10 minute process of pass drafting 10 packs. Give them a bracket after they've built their decks, and let them go at it. Players can re-register as many times as they like as long as they're not currently in an elimination bracket.
Given that booster packs flow like water at Nationals (I won something like 8 packs in just an hour or so of playing in 8-mans), it wouldn't be too difficult or expensive for players to get their boosters into the draft. It's also self-regulating, as the players have the most control over their situation, though there's still staff available to assist when necessary. Plus, there are plenty of players who also have Judging experience and would be able to both participate in and run a single bracket as long as it's already been set up.
Also, you could have a definite ending time. Like, the last Draft pod could start at Midnight or something like that, and you can enter them at-will. And it would eliminate the need for a computer and computer glitches disappear.
I know that at least one PTO runs his Prerelease side events like this, and they tend to work out very well for everybody involved.
Also, as far as a pass draft is concerned, especially with the Mutant format, it really doesn't matter if the packs are all the same or are all different. You could pretty much pull out 6 random boosters and draft with them, as there's no need for strict evolution lines. I know that the most fun draft I ever participated in used a player's choice of four different sets (Platinum, Arceus, HS, and Unleashed), had 8 players exactly, and we passed around virtually everything. Everybody got some kind of useful evolution line or Trainer setup, and everybody left quite happy with the event. And this was for a NORMAL booster draft. For a MUTANT, it would be even MORE enjoyable, cuz you'll have players drafting these insane type lines and doing well with them! Actually, I think it makes the draft more interesting utilizing the Mutant format with many different types of packs, as players will throw together combos that shouldn't work, but do (Ponyta T1 Ascension to Flareon ex? Melikes!)
Just a suggestion to smooth out the rough edges for next year.