Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

NATS @ INDIANAPOLIS: Your Thoughts.

Rogue Archetype

Rogue Archetype

Moderator <br> Contest Host
I can't imagine anyone having complaints about Indianapolis as a location.

So, I'm so curious to read your perspectives, that I started the "the only bad thing about Indianapolis" thread.

Personally, I'm overjoyed with Indianapolis as a location for U.S. and I hope there could be a consensus to keep it here.

1. There was SO MUCH to do w/ my family that we have to attend again just to venture 3 blocks in the other direction!
2. It was a fairly central location (geographically).
3. The google map doesn't do justice to Hotel Availability. Dude, the entire planet could sleep here for a night and the rooms wouldn't be too crowded.. :/
4. The venue is just HUGE. I truly appreciated the fact that there was FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY tables and chairs available for non-playing family members to sit (nobody really seems to appreciate how HUGE a gesture this is; the model should be an archetype for large events in the future)
5. There was room for an "Open Play" area?!?!?!?! Yes, if you were not there, PUI actually booked a large-enough-to-host-a-States room for chillin' and testplaying.
6. The quality of the hotels were off-the-chain. I didn't hear a single hotel complaint from anyone (yet).

Indianapolis = 10/10 modified
Indianapolis = 5/10 Unlimited (because I had issues w/ the mutant draft :nonono: )

What are your thoughts about the possibility of Indianapolis being a location for NATS for consecutive years in the future?
 
Rogue Archetype said:
I can't imagine anyone having complaints about Indianapolis as a location.

So, I'm so curious to read your perspectives, that I started the "the only bad thing about Indianapolis" thread.

Personally, I'm overjoyed with Indianapolis as a location for U.S. and I hope there could be a consensus to keep it here.

1. There was SO MUCH to do w/ my family that we have to attend again just to venture 3 blocks in the other direction!
2. It was a fairly central location (geographically).
3. The google map doesn't do justice to Hotel Availability. Dude, the entire planet could sleep here for a night and the rooms wouldn't be too crowded.. :/
4. The venue is just HUGE. I truly appreciated the fact that there was FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY tables and chairs available for non-playing family members to sit (nobody really seems to appreciate how HUGE a gesture this is; the model should be an archetype for large events in the future)
5. There was room for an "Open Play" area?!?!?!?! Yes, if you were not there, PUI actually booked a large-enough-to-host-a-States room for chillin' and testplaying.
6. The quality of the hotels were off-the-chain. I didn't hear a single hotel complaint from anyone (yet).

Indianapolis = 10/10 modified
Indianapolis = 5/10 Unlimited (because I had issues w/ the mutant draft :nonono: )

What are your thoughts about the possibility of Indianapolis being a location for NATS for consecutive years in the future?
Click to expand...

I actually like it as a Worlds location, too. I wasn't there for Nats, but I think it's a fantastic choice for any big tournament. As Worlds, there are a TON of exhibitors and things to do in August at Gen Con, so I think that would be a blast.
 
I wasn't there, but in future years, the fact that the convention center is so close to the Amtrak/Greyhound station is a big selling point for me, since that's how I would likely get there from Evanston.

(In addition to the fact that I won't be in advisor limbo next summer).
 
I always wondered why Worlds isn't in such a place.
The players don't need sun/sea/heat/long trips/Disney/expensive food/trip.
Players need a large place to play Pokemon, which Indianapolis has.
 
The venue and surrounding area is absolutly amazing!!!

I really think Pokemon hit a home run with this one....

No reason not to keep it there!!!

Jimmy
 
Rainbowgym said:
I always wondered why Worlds isn't in such a place.
The players don't need sun/sea/heat/long trips/Disney/expensive food/trip.
Players need a large place to play Pokemon, which Indianapolis has.
Click to expand...

I want sun / sea / heat :<
And trips are long anyway, through I could live without disney :lol:

And most pkmn players should see the sun more often anyway xD
 
It was grand.

This was my first nationals ever, but just the great hotel service, the food was nice, nothing took too long of a wait, it was a great trip, and I'll go again in a flash if it's in Indianapolis.

Besides, it was closer than other locations for me, and my family had plenty to explore around in Indy while I was going at it. Loved it.

If they hold it in Indianapolis next year, I'll give my best to go.
 
My only complaint was how expensive it is to book any onsite hotels, as they always lean towards being the mega-expensive kinds like Mariott and Westin; now granted, I understand many people probably book a hotel first thing when the location is announced because they plan it as their vacation, and. But say for VGC players like myself (whose Regionals this year were held a month or less before the competition), prices by then soar up, which makes it a bit of a burden to then decide whether to go and then the financial burden with it; I ended up staying offsite by about 8 miles or so, which made it a bit annoying to pay taxis and/or buses to get around if you fly in. But then again, this is pretty much true of any big city, so I guess in a way it's to be expected.

That aside, no complaints. The location was HUGE, everything was laid out nicely and orderly, staff were helpful...really just great. Troll and Toad was a great vendor, but the other one was a tad expensive besides the very reasonable booster prices.

Also adding it couldn't hurt to try out a Worlds somewhere mid-US like Indianapolis, makes it a bit less harrowing on the European players to get to instead of going way out to somewhere like Hawaii.

So yeah...overall, would definitely not mind staying in Indy again...just gotta book that hotel earlier >.>
 
Rainbowgym said:
I always wondered why Worlds isn't in such a place.
The players don't need sun/sea/heat/long trips/Disney/expensive food/trip.
Players need a large place to play Pokemon, which Indianapolis has.
Click to expand...

The trouble is, it isn't just players who go to Worlds. Juniors and Seniors will come with parents who probably don't want to spend their holiday in a place with no beach etc, just a massive hall of people playing Pokemon.
 
Indianapolis was a fabulous choice from my experience, especially relative to STL.

OP would not do wrong to hold it there again. That said, I think it'd be cool to rotate Nats a little (not necessarily out of the heartland, just to different big cities in the general vicinity) to increase the appeal for non-player chaperones.

Then again, Indy did have beerfest.
 
Rogue Archetype said:
I can't imagine anyone having complaints about Indianapolis as a location.
,Indianapolis = 10/10 modified
Indianapolis = 5/10 Unlimited (because I had issues w/ the mutant SEALED :nonono: )
Click to expand...

Fixed :) yeah Indianapolis was great. On Saturday after our Swiss rounds all we had to do was walk a block or two to noodles and company. (which is amazing btw) then just down the street was a mall with plenty to do like an arcade.

I'm on the same boat as RA. The mutant sealed was not very fun and was poorly ran. I just got to the point after round 2 and just left.
 
Loved it. There was only one thing I didn't like was the way the 8 man tourneys were run. It seemed like they really didn't plan for all the people that wanted to play
 
Yea the mutant was kinda stupid. =/

The 8 mans were kinda odd. Ran 1 and there just didnt seem to be enough staff to keep up with all the people.
 
I didn't get to go to nats this year (It was either nats, or I get a car for turning 16 lol). But from what i heard, it may have been the best Nats location yet!

Great job Pokemon! You have to schedule it there again next year it sounds like!
 
Loved it in Indy

Family thought Indy was about a million times better than STL. Skybridges from the hotels and to the mall, so no having to wonder around in the heat. Plenty of hotel space, but the parking cost was a tad extreme. Did anyone find a better breakfast place than the Einstein's Bagel place?

The venue setup was so much better. No yelling at us to clear the aisles. Getting in and out of the area was much easier. I agree with the earlier comment about the 8 man tourneys being crazy. I had a 15 year old judge who was a little rusty on the rules. Also didn't do a good job informing us that it was a 20 minute round, so my slow play and slower deck killed me.

Modified tournament on Saturday used the 30 minute 3 turn format. I didn't care for that time length. I think they need to look at what they can do to turn the rounds quicker like first 2 rounds being preset.

-Regilee
 
Indy was great. It has that Columbus, Ohio feel with some new twists. A friendly city with lots to do. I would highly recommend that Pokemon Nationals be held there again (or Columbus).
 
I thought it was great. It was the first nats I had gone to, so I had no clue what to expect. I dropped after really bad draws, and just went on to play in side events. I made well over $100 in merch Saturday. I had to drop after round 1 of the mutant draft though due to it being so late. Other than that, I thought it couldnt have been better.
 
Definitely an extraordinary choice of location and venue indeed . Some of the hotels even had a "sky walk " bridge connecting directly to the center , so it was literally a 5 min walk from room to tables . Then the food choices where endless ( Palominos was my family's ' favorite and at a great lunch price for kids ) and the overall area very nice and clean , Indy locals in general very friendly .. airport just a 20 min cab ride away.

My wife loves the league play and the side tournaments , T-shirts for everyone ... and all RA said just not to repeat.

I think Pokemon really scored a big winning goal with this one ... huge support vote to keep it here in the future.
 
Great National this year. Food and lodging close by. Large venue space. Would love to see it here next year or at a similar location. Good times.
 
Indy is amazing. The only thing that anyone in my group had problems with was the mutant draft, but it's easy to just not do it next year. The location was awesome, the city was NICE! Especially compared to St. Louis, it was refreshing not to get accosted by people scalping baseball tickets every two steps on saturday. The variety of restaurants was spectacular and everything was very walkable. I definitely hope nats stays in indy.
 
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