All,

First things first, I hope that you have all had a good summer. My
summer went by in a blur. A couple of holidays and in between an M-
Fest trade stand have kept me nice and busy. Eventide events seem like
a long time ago and the set appears to have been a huge hit. Our
attention turns to the new block starting with the Shards of Alara Pre-
Release weekend at the end of the month.

By the way, in case you don’t usually read to the end of the e-mail
you may want to scan the 2008 and 2009 future event dates as these
have been updated.

Changes to Pre-Releases.

You may or may not have heard about changes to the way Pre-Releases as
a whole are run from this point on so I’ll run down the changes as
they will affect events that I run.

Firstly, the Wizards Play Network has been introduced. This is a
global look at organised play and as the Wizards web-site says “Within
the network, organizers will be grouped by level, with increasing
level denoting increased responsibility for event reporting, increased
prize support, and increased freedom to run more prestigious content.”
Currently there are three levels available: Gateway, Core and
Advanced. My application has been processed and I have been awarded
‘Advanced’ level status for Magic the Gathering.

Advanced level organisers can run Pre-Release events on both days of
the Pre-Release weekend. For me, that means that I’ll be running as
usual with an event at Birmingham on Saturday and an event at Stafford
on Sunday. I won’t be running flights; I’ll just be running one main
event as usual. No changes there.

Now for the bit that does change. Booster drafts using the pre-release
product aren’t allowed on the Pre-Release weekend anymore. This is a
change that will affect some of you as in the past I have run two or
three drafts per day after the main event has finished for those
players that want to take part. This isn’t any longer an option so it
means that the Pre-Release weekend is all about the main events. I am
able to run booster drafts, but with older product so I’ll be able to
run a Shadowmoor block draft for example if people wanted me to.

Finally for new players there is a new option available. Any new
player [one that registers for a DCI number and has not played in
organised events before] who doesn’t feel that they want to take part
in the main sealed event will be able to purchase an Intro Pack [the
new replacement for Theme Decks] and be able to play friendly duels
with other new players or duels with players from the main event who
have either finished their round or have the bye. The idea of this is
that the new player doesn’t have to muddle through deck construction
in the main event but can just come along, get an Intro Pack and get
some tips from the more experienced players or judging staff playing
friendly duels. If you already come along to my events and have played
sanctioned events before, you aren’t really the target audience for
this additional way to play so don’t worry about it.

Please note that the Intro Packs themselves are not on general sale
until the Release Events the following weekend.

That is it folks. Hopefully I have explained the changes as best I can
with the information that I have, please e-mail me if you have heard
anything different from the above just in case I have the wrong end of
the stick.

If you have any strong feelings on the changes, please mention them to
me at the events so that I can get a good idea of the player reaction
to the changes. It is always useful to hear about what you do or don’t
like for feedback to Colin and Tom at Hasbro.

On to the Pre-Release Weekend details:

SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE WEEKEND 27th and 28th OF SEPTEMBER 2008

Event notes:

[1] As I have had so many enquiries about the forthcoming Shards of
AlaraTM Pre-Release tournaments, this e-mail includes all relevant
information for both the Stafford and the Birmingham tournaments. Pick
and choose the information that you need.

[2] We will be continuing to use deck pool registration at all pre-
release events.

[3] Price for admission is £16.00 for two reasons. Firstly, it falls
in line with Wizards of the Coast pricing guidelines and secondly
because the product given to each player to use on the day is one
Shards of AlaraTM tournament pack and three Shards of AlaraTM
boosters.

[4] To encourage players to attend both events, I will be continuing
with the £2.00 deduction in the cost of entry to any player enrolling
in the Stafford Pre-Release who played in the Birmingham Pre-Release
the previous day. This makes it a nice even £30 to play in both
events. I realise that this isn't an enormous saving, but I received
positive feedback for this at previous Pre-Release weekends so I’m
happy to continue to offer this discount.

[5] As usual I'll be filling the traditional Grab Bag with the
contents of some Shards of AlaraTM boosters as additional prizes.

[6] Again as usual, I have had winner’s trophies engraved. The
trophies are a popular part of the Pre-Release events and everybody
wants to win one!

I look forward to seeing you at the events.

Steve


Here are the usual event details:


BIRMINGHAM SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE SATURDAY 27th OF SEPTEMBER 2008


VENUE: Quality Hotel Birmingham, 166 Hagley Road, Birmingham, West
Midlands, England B16 9NZ

The venue is probably only about 15 minutes from the city centre
easily accessible from New Street Station. Road links are very good
from the M6 and the M5 as you will see on the map.

If you are travelling by car, there is parking for over a hundred cars
but most of the spaces are at the back of the hotel. Drive towards the
red barrier at the right hand side of the venue and it will
automatically open. All you need to do when leaving is pick up a
parking token from the hotel reception. Parking is free if you have
used the hotel facilities, so there will be no parking charge for
players attending the event.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: According to locals, as far as trains are concerned,
it's quicker to go to Five Ways station if possible, walk to the Five
Ways shopping centre and then just walk down Hagley Road. From New
Street Station the 128 and the 129 buses from Corporation Street (1
min walk from New Street) go down the Hagley Road (and I'm sure there
must be others too). If you are travelling by train and you are
running late I'd suggest just getting a taxi to the venue. I suspect
that it is less than a 10 minute drive from New Street Station.

Website: http://www.quality-hotels-birmingham.com/

Directions: These are available from the Hotel's website:

http://www.quality-hotels-birmingham.com/details/GB605%20large%20map.jpg

START TIME: Enrolment from 9:30am till 10:30am. Deck construction will
start at about 11:00am.

FORMAT: The format for each Pre-release tournament is DCITM-sanctioned
Shards of AlaraTM Sealed Deck.

Rules Enforcement Level: 1

ENTRY FEE: £16.00 for main event

Cost of entry includes one (1) Shards of AlaraTM tournament pack and
three (3) Shards of AlaraTM boosters.

PRIZES: As per Wizards of the Coast premier event prize structure.

Special commemorative Shards of AlaraTM card for each tournament
participant, while supplies last.


SIDE EVENTS: Booster Draft side events [non Shards of AlaraTM]
available all day long.

ENTRY FEE:  £8.00 for Booster Drafts (12 Boosters as prizes split
5/3/2/2)



STAFFORD SHARDS OF ALARA PRE-RELEASE SUNDAY 28th OF SEPTEMBER 2008


VENUE: Oddfellows Hall, Greengate Street, Stafford, ST16 2HP.

Please contact me for more directions if you haven’t been to this
venue before.

START TIME: Enrolment from 9:30am till 10:30am. Deck construction will
start at about 11:00am.

FORMAT: The format for each Pre-release tournament is DCITM-sanctioned
Shards of AlaraTM Sealed Deck.

Rules Enforcement Level: 1

ENTRY FEE: £16.00 for main event

Cost of entry includes one (1) Shards of AlaraTM tournament pack and
three (3) Shards of AlaraTM boosters.

PRIZES: As per Wizards of the Coast premier event prize structure.

Special commemorative Shards of AlaraTM card for each tournament
participant, while supplies last.


SIDE EVENTS: Booster Draft side events [non Shards of AlaraTM]
available all day long.

ENTRY FEE:  £8.00 for Booster Drafts (12 Boosters as prizes split
5/3/2/2)


TO PRE-REGISTER FOR AN EVENT:

Send an e-mail to this address: stephen DOT avann AT ntlworld DOT com
with your FULL NAME and DCI NUMBER (If you have one) BEFORE 5:30PM on
the FRIDAY NIGHT before the events, as this is the last time that I
will check my e-mail before the tournament. Alternatively I can be
contacted on my mobile from 6:30pm until 10pm on the following number:
07989201808. Please don't try to phone me before 6:30pm as I will be
busy.

Hope to see you at the events over the weekend,

Steve


FUTURE EVENTS 2008

October – Sunday 5th – Stafford – Shards of Alara Release

As usual the Release event will take place on Sunday at Stafford. This
is the first chance to buy Shards of Alara singles, boosters, boxes,
intro packs and fat packs.

October – Saturday 11th – Birmingham – TBC

November – Saturday 8th – Birmingham – TBC

The format of both Birmingham events is to be confirmed pending PTQ
applications.

November – Sunday 16th – Stafford – Big Bag Draft

The Big Bag Draft is the usual way to end the year. This year in
response to player demand I have moved this iconic event into November
so that players can manage to fit it in around the demands of the
festive season. This year the places will be limited to probably about
40 players so when registration opens for the event make sure you get
your name down as soon as possible.

NOTE: I have a set of From the Vault: Dragons to give away as part of
the prize fund for this event!

December – No events are currently booked for December.

FUTURE EVENTS 2009

January – Saturday 31st – Birmingham – Conflux Pre Release
February – Sunday 1st – Stafford – Conflux Pre Release

The first events of 2009 are the Pre-Releases for the second set in
the Shards block, Conflux. It may seem a long way away but try to get
these events in your diaries now! More details as they appear.

February – Sunday 8th – Stafford – Conflux Release

As usual the Release event will take place on Sunday at Stafford. This
is the first chance to buy Conflux singles, boosters, boxes, intro
packs and fat packs.