Rockford's Spring Battle Road
Saturday June 11, 2011
at Top Cut Comics
5600 N. 2nd St
Rockford IL 61111
(Click here to View a Map with directions to our store)
Registration from 10 - 10:45 am
(Decklists turned in after 10:45 will mean you will have a Round 1 Loss and will start in Round 2)
I let you sleep in this time, so don't be late! ~_^
Either Top 2 or Top 4 Finals after Main Event with
Prizes for 1st - 4th in each of the 3 age groups
Plus Door Prizes, Side Events and more! Don't miss your chance to shine!
This Premier tournament is FREE to enter, so why not come join us in Rockford and test your skills!
So tell me, what do I need to know about this special tournament?
The tournament is run using the Modified Constructed Format (Majestic Dawn through Black & White sets, with Black & White Rules) and Age Modified Swiss pairings. Be sure to check the new Black & White Rulebook and the updated Rule Changes as of the release date of the Black & White set, as well as any TCG Errata, as found on the Main Pokemon website in the Rules & Resources section. The number of Swiss rounds run will depend on total attendance at the event, most likely 3 - 6 rounds, in the new format, '30 minutes + 3 turns', and you'll play different players for each of the Rounds. Some newer players often mistakenly think that if they lose their first match, they're out, but that's not the case, only in the Finals.. After the main event, we'll post the Standings, and up to the Top 4 ranked players will play Single Elimination until we have a winner in each of the 3 age groups.
Decklists will be required... I'll have them there for you to fill out there at the event, or you can print it out ahead of time.
(click here for pdf file)
OR better yet... Here's a link to a wonderful Decklist maker that really makes it easy to do your decklist ahead of time... just click on the drop down menu to make your selections, then print it out and bring it in! This software was created to help make it much easier to correctly fill out tournament deck lists, helping avoid errors and costly penalties. Just fill in the blanks from the drop down menu, then when you're done, print it out! Very easy! Either way is fine. Just be sure to be there early enough to get them filled out and turned in before 10:45am, because you must have a decklist to be entered in the tourney! And remember, it's you're responsibility to make sure that your deck is legal and matches your decklist completely, so take care in writing it out! We'll have people who can help you fill it out or check over your deck when you get there, so just let me or one of my Judges know if you need some help.
So, what time do you suggest we be there??
I suggest you come closer to 10, unless you already have your decklist all made out. Due to the large number of players we will likely have, the cut-off for entrance into Round 1 will be 10:45. Decklists will be required, so allow time to fill them out. If you haven't turned in your decklist by 10:45am you can still be entered into the tournament, but you'll start in Round 2, you'll miss the first Round.. We will not delay the tourney for latecomers as it's just not fair to those who get there on time. Bring your DS and your Games to play while you wait! Once your decklist is turned in, you can participate in DS battles, Art contests, or any other activities we might have while you wait.
Better too early than too late! 
Who may enter in the Tournament? Anyone who knows how to play the game may enter, you do not need to be a resident of the City of Rockford ... All are welcome, of all ages, from far away, or right in Rockford! If you're new to the game and want to learn more about it, check out the Pokemon Organized Play website for instructions on how to play so you'll already know how when you get there, because for this particular event, you should at least already know the basics of how to play.
What do I need to bring with me?You'll need to bring your own 60 card legal deck, bring your own damage counters or dice, you may want to bring a sack lunch or money to buy lunch, snacks, products for sale, or to enter in some of our Side Events after the Main Event, but no money is required for entry to this event. You should also know your POP ID number. Many of you are already in my computer from playing in past events of mine, but still, if you're in a League or have an ID number, write it down and bring it with you, and if you're new and don't have a POP ID number yet, no worries... I can get you set up with one right there.
Format: Modified Constructed - Bring your own best MD-on Modified decks to play in this tournament.
The sets legal in the New Modified Format have been updated as
of September 1, 2010. The New Modified format is Majestic Dawn -on. Players may not use cards from Pokémon sets
prior to Majestic Dawn, with the
exception of basic Energy cards and cards that were reprinted
in Modified legal sets. Please make sure you're ready with a legal deck and review the legal
sets for the Modified
Format here.
Remember, this is a Battle Road Event... so keep in mind the following rules and restrictions:
Cards from the World's Championship Decks with the silver borders are NOT allowed in Tournaments.
Sleeves must be single color with no artwork or holographic design, exceptions being the Japanese Pokeball or Pikachu Sleeves, or any of the US Pokemon Sleeves from Prereleases.
Cards must be in uniform condition if unsleeved so as not to appear to be marked in any way.
Cheating will be dealt with severly, so don't do it! Always play honorably and fair!
Of course if you have any questions at all as to if your deck is Tourney ready or not, please feel free to stop in a little early and have us check over your deck for you.
If you arrive and find that your deck is not legal to play in this tourney, don't worry, you will still be able to play. There are plenty of interesting starter decks available to purchase right there at Top Cut Comics, including the three newest Black & White decks, and we also have a limited number of loaner Preconstructed Theme decks.
This event will most likely will be Age Separated Swiss (everyone will play within their own age group in all the rounds, the number of rounds being determined by number of players in each age group) The Battle Road series will have a K-Value of 4.
Age groups:
. Junior Division (born in 2000 or later)
. Senior Division (born in 1996, 1997, 1998, or 1999)
. Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier)
Also after the Swiss Rounds, in each of the 3 age groups we will have a Top Cut,
with a Maximum of a cut to Top 4.
This means that after the main tournament, the top ranked players in each of the 3 age groups will continue on to play additional rounds (the number of additional rounds will depend on how many players were in each age group), the winner being determined by winning 2 out of 3 matches within an hour's time, and continuing on to another elimination round until one Battle Road winner in each age group remains..
Are there Prizes?
YES! Of course there are!
Top 4 finishers in each of the three age categories receive the following prizes:
1st Place
4 Pokémon Black & White booster packs
A Typhlosion Trophy Card
2nd Place
4 Pokémon Black & White booster packs
3rd & 4th Place
2 Pokémon Black & White booster packs
Are there Door Prizes? Sure! We'll have an assortment of various items for door prizes! All sorts of different items, including Booster Packs, posters, Deck boxes, Pokemon Beachballs, Pokemon stickers, as well as a Pokemon Hat made by yours truly (I'll post a pic soon!)...these and other various Pokemon items will be randomly given out at various times to random players.
Will there be side events?
Yes! If we have time, we'll have Side Events depending on interest - this may include a Free Modified for small prizes (2 packs for 1st, 1 pack for 2nd), and/or an always fun MUTANT DRAFT - $15 for 4 random packs from any of the legal sets (MD - BW) to build a deck for the tourney(energies provided). In a normal Booster Draft tourney, each player opens one booster pack without revealing its contents to the other players. Each player then selects one card from his or her booster pack and lays it face down in front of him or her. Once a card has been placed in a player’s stack, it is considered selected and cannot be returned to the pack in exchange for another card. Players then pass the remaining cards, face down, to the person on that player’s left. The cards selected by each player should remain private knowledge during the drafting process. Each player continues to select one card from among the cards handed to him or her until all of the cards have been selected.
This process repeats for each remaining booster pack, with the passing pattern alternating from left to right as each new pack is opened. After all of the booster packs have been opened and all of the cards have been selected, each player constructs a 40-card deck, using only the cards he or she selected and any basic Energy cards provided by me. Players have 30 minutes to construct their decks.
Now the cool part about a MUTANT draft is that your evolutions don't have to follow the normal chains... as long as it's within the same type, it's cool to evolve into a different Pokemon line... for example:
if you'd like to, you can go Charmander > Monferno>Typhlosion
Oh the possibilities! You can see why this special type of tournament is a LOT of fun! We'll run 3 round elimination pods with 8 players, and the winner of each round will get a pack.
Remember, it's YOUR Battle Road, I want you to have fun with whatever Side Events you'd like to have. We'll have sign up sheets posted after you get there.
Will there be an Art Contest? Oh sure! I know how you all love to express yourselves with your Pokemon themed artwork! Feel free to bring in your creation or work on it in our Art Area in between rounds. If table space is limited to set up an art area before the event starts, we'll do it in the Junior area after they've finished their main rounds.
'Support the Store' Raffle - As a thank you to Top Cut for hosting our event, I'd like to encourage our players to purchase items from their store. Show me your receipt for items that you purchase there (including Side Events) and I'll give you a Raffle ticket. Spend $5 or more and I'll give you an extra raffle ticket for each extra $5 you spend! The more you spend in the store, the more chances you get! After all the main rounds are finished, I'll draw a lucky number to win 6 booster packs.
Food- I understand that players get cranky and don't function well when they're hungry... no one wants cranky players. So, we will be having a set lunch break to keep you all happy and in a good mood ^_^ There are several fast food places within a mile, including McDonalds, Subway, & Arbys, and also a hugely stocked vending machine full of all kinds of awesome snack foods and drinks.
Tentative Time Schedule
Registration…10am to 10:45 am (if your decklist is turned in after 10:45am, you'll have a Round 1 loss but be in Round 2. I really encourage you to either have your decklist already made out when you arrive, or be sure to arrive by 10am to fill it out there. You don't want to miss out on Round 1!)
10:45 Announcements
11am Post Roster/post Pairings
Round 1 11:15 - 12:00
Round 2 12:00 - 12:45
lunch break until 1:30
Round 3 1:30 -2:15
Post list of Door Prize winners
Jr Deck Checks 2:15 - 2:30 Top 2 JR 2:30 - 3:30 (Announce JR winner)
Round 4 2:15 - 3:00
Round 5 3:00 - 3:45
Round 6 3:45 - 4:30 (if more than 32 Masters)
Sr Deck Checks 3:50 - 4:00 Top 4 Sr 4:00 - 5:00
MA Deck Checks - 4:30- 4:45
SR Top 2 5:10 - 6:10 (Announce SR winner)
MA Top 4 4:45 - 5:45
MA Top 2 5:50 - 6:50 (Announce MA winner)
After the Main rounds, we'll post the standings and, depending on the number of players in the age group, the top 2 or 4 ranked players will turn in their Decks to be checked before continuing on to the Top Cuts. Those players will play best 2 of 3 matches in one hour. The winners of that round will advance to the Top 2 Finals to determine the winners, and those who didn't make it will receive 2 booster packs each for 3rd and 4th place..
Again, this is a tentative timetable. We'll try to stick to it as best we can, but of course times may vary due to the actual number of players attending and unforseen events that may delay things.
Top Cut Comic's TRADING CARDS policy -
While trading is fine, please note that buying/selling cards with anyone except for our authorized dealer(s), or soliciting to do so elsewhere, is strictly forbidden at this event. Failure to obey this rule may result in both the buyer and the seller being removed from the event, and banned from attending future events.
Top Cut Comics also reserves the right to limit the amount of space being occupied by any one individual while trading, and does not allow the use of suitcases, handcarts, luggage carts, etc. to be used for the purpose of transporting excessive amounts of trade stock. We need to be considerate of all those around us and I ask that you respect that.
Also Keep in Mind
Top Cut has lots of great accessories to enhance your gaming experience, including dice, sleeves, deckboxes, binders and playmats, so be sure to browse the store before the tourney or between rounds! And as always, we ask that our Pokemon players refrain from parking in the store's prime parking spots, so that there's parking for their other patrons. Thank you!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me... either email me (pokemama@ gmail.com)or give me a call, my cell number is 608-322-0549 and be sure to mention in your message if it's about Rockford or Janesville as one is on Sat and the other on Sun.
Hope to see you there!
You KNOW you ALWAYS have a blast in Rockford, so Don't miss it!!
