Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

New IRL Player

T

t0pram0s

New Member
Hey All,

I've finally decided to pony up the money in building a top tier deck. So, I have never played IRL but I am a big PTCGO player. I even had my own youtube channel for a bit. But basically what I am asking is for any help or tips I can get for a beginner just starting out. I am going to get my feet wet at the local Battle Roads on the 22nd and want to know what I should look out for. Any help would be great, thanks!

BTW for anyone wondering, the deck I've built a Eels/Rayquaza/Raikou/Thundurus/Zekrom deck.
 
I would recommend play testing as much as you can - get comfortable with your deck and different potential match-ups. Networking is pretty big (imo) - it allows you to have more fun so the event isn't so overwhelming. Probably the biggest thing is to keep a good attitude regardless of what happens.
 
Thanks! I always have a good attitude. Ya play testing is important, but I haven't really tested it too much. I have a similar deck on PTCGO that I practice with, but that's it.

Also is Battle Roads single-elimination?
 
t0pram0s said:
Thanks! I always have a good attitude. Ya play testing is important, but I haven't really tested it too much. I have a similar deck on PTCGO that I practice with, but that's it.

Also is Battle Roads single-elimination?
Click to expand...


No it is Swiss meaning round playing and since there is no top cut the winner will be Decided after X Amount of rounds and will depend on Attendance more-likely it will go to the X-0 person thats like 1st place And prizes will be decrease from there

Here is this

http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/tcg-battle-road-autumn/
 
t0pram0s said:
Also is Battle Roads single-elimination?
Click to expand...

Ah, you're coming in completely blind! No worries, here're a few things that I learned (and would've been nice to know beforehand):

  • Since it would appear you already know your decklist, save yourself some time and print it out beforehand by filling it out here
  • People in the US tend to use dice for damage counters and for flipping heads/tails. Clear or translucent dice are required for flipping; damage counters can be anything, but should be different from the flipping-die/dice you use. Odds are tails, evens are heads. You'll still want to have some sort of burn/poison marker(s), too.
  • You are always allowed to look at your opponent's discard. But ask first -- you're not allowed to touch their cards without asking. Similarly, don't be too shy to ask to read cards you're unfamiliar with (which may not be a problem since you have PTCGO experience).
  • After you shuffle your cards (every time!), offer them to your opponent to cut. If they cut them (or simply tap), put them back on your side without disrupting the order any further; if, however, they shuffle your deck, you are allowed to make one final cut before you return it to your side.
  • As mentioned, BRs (and the early rounds of all of the premier events) are done using "Swiss pairings", which means you play every round for a while; if there's a Top Cut (which won't be at BRs in the States this fall), that's when it becomes single-elimination.
  • Most Swiss rounds are run using "30 +3": You play for thirty minutes, and if nobody's won the game by the time they call "time!", you go into extra turns. At the point time is called, the player (let's call her 'A') that is currently acting is "turn zero"; player B then executes "turn one"; then A has "turn two", and B finishes the game with "turn three". If you're still tied on prizes after turn three, you go into sudden death: the game continues, but the first person to take a prize wins.
  • If you have a drink, keep it off the game surface. Keep it by your feet. Stuff happens, and it's much better to have wet sneakers than two or more ruined decks and fuming opponents.
  • Don't check your smartphone during the match; if your opponent objects, you'll get a warning or worse.
  • Possibly most importantly: The judges are there to help run the event. If you suspect something fishy happening, don't hesitate to call 'em over. And don't get upset with your opponent for calling 'em over either -- it's in everyone's best interests that situations get resolved quickly, amicably, and correctly.

Anyone else? I'm sure other people have suggestions for "things I wish someone would have told me".
 
Thanks a bunch! Luckily I watch a lot of top cut so I know the basic format and rules to tournament play, but knowing some of the quirks that go on during a tournament is awesome!

I am always hesitant in joining a league because I feel like I'm an old fart(24). But I probably will join one the weekend I receive all the cards I need.

Thanks again and any other quirks to tournament play is greatly appreciated. If i could +rep you I would, but I don't know how heh:biggrin:
 
24? You're a youngun! Most of the players that I know have graduated college...
 
Also, don't be afraid to call a judge over. Although the person across from you may explain things or think they know what is going on, getting clarification from a judge is always the best to do. I remember calling a judge over after my opponent tried to play a supporter turn 1 (and winning the coin flip). lol Better safe then sorry imo.

Welcome!
 
Thanks for all the advice! I do have a couple questions about some cards, but I'm sure i'll find solutions to them.

I know one question for sure was that if there are multiple energy or pokemon in the discard pile, can you pick just 1 card with Super Rod to shuffle back in your deck?

And with Level ball. I'm pretty sure you can but can I get clarification that I can use Level Ball and pick up no pokemon with it(basically thinning out my deck.)

Again thanks for all the great advice!
 
Those types of questions are best asked (or, better yet, searched for) in the "Ask the Rules Team" forum.

Specifically, for your first one, look here.

And for the second, look here.
 
just adding to Tapin's post about the dice, they have to have rounded edges as well as being translucent. I never got a warning for it, but I was told several times at one tourney that I couldn't use my dice that I had brought because they didn't have rounded edges >.<

good luck at your BR's :)
 
t0pram0s said:
Thanks a bunch! Luckily I watch a lot of top cut so I know the basic format and rules to tournament play, but knowing some of the quirks that go on during a tournament is awesome!

I am always hesitant in joining a league because I feel like I'm an old fart(24). But I probably will join one the weekend I receive all the cards I need.

Thanks again and any other quirks to tournament play is greatly appreciated. If i could +rep you I would, but I don't know how heh:biggrin:
Click to expand...


I'm 45! I find that instead of pretending to know what I'm doing (LOL) I ask questions. take my time, and just generally try to be polite ("Is it my turn?" "How much damage to my pokemon is that?") and ALL the players I've met have been very helpful and, for the most part, friendly. (Some are rather stoic, shall we say.)

I also have to ask to look at cards 'cause these eyes don't read so well anymore. :rolleyes:

Have fun with it, and be sure to watch other players' games; you'll learn a lot! :thumb:
 
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