VGC Prizes + Tournament Format

[Solace*]

read about it

This update is just what we've been waiting for!

Format Updates:

The Autumn Regional series will allow use of only Pokémon Black Version, or Pokémon White Version DS Cartridges

...will be run using Age Modified Swiss (single game) pairings and a cut to a Top 8 (attendance allowing) single elimination finals. Single elimination finals will be run as best 2 out of 3.

So we've got official confirmation that only Pokemon Black & White Cartridges can be used, so be sure to avoid BW2 moves and such!

We also get to see that there will be a top cut for the top 8. A Best of 3 top cut will definitely be interesting, but probably not feasible for big regionals due to time constraints.

Prizes:

1st Place

A Pokémon VG Regional Championships 1st Place award

A Travel Award (including a parent or legal guardian for players under 18) to the 2013 U.S. National Championships at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, OR the Canada National Championships in Toronto, ON.*

A first-round bye at the U.S. National Championships**

120 Championship Points

2nd Place

A Pokémon VG Regional Championships 2nd Place award

A Travel Stipend of $500 for Junior and Senior Division finalists, collected on site at the National Championships. Valid ID will be required to collect your stipend.

A Travel Stipend of $300 for Masters Division finalists, collected on site at the National Championships. Valid ID will be required to collect your stipend.

A first- round bye at the U.S. National Championships**

110 Championship Points (if division attendance is 4 or greater)

3rd & 4th Place

A Travel Stipend of $500 for Junior and Senior Division semi-finalists, collected on site at the National Championships. Valid ID will be required to collect your stipend.

A Pokémon TCG Regional Championships 3rd or 4th Place award

90 Championship Points (if division attendance is 8 or greater)

Prizes were cut quite a bit from last year. 3rd & 4th place Masters getting no travel stipend, and Juniors & Seniors are losing out on $100 on each (along with Masters under 18 losing out on $300 if they get 2nd). This is pretty frustrating since the prizes barely covered the trip to Indy in the first place, and especially not now. Any other thoughts?

We’re also rolling out a new Championship Points system for video game competitors.

This is also pretty interesting. Is there going to have a CP requirement for Nationals? I really hope there isn't, but we'll see how that turns out.

Feel free to discuss anything in this article!

[N8thePWNr]

>CP requirement
Almost lost it.

Anyways, I hope nationals runs like it did last July. That way, it broadens the opportunity of nationals to people who didn't necessarily win the regional championships.

[Sprocket]

We’re also rolling out a new Championship Points system for video game competitors.

/facepalm

As if getting people to attend the VGC tournaments wasn't hard enough, considering the limited number of tournaments (which hopefully changes). It works for TCG because there are LOTS of tournaments.

Unless for some reason the Wi-Fi tournaments start to reward championship points too.

Also, it's interesting to see that Swiss and Top Cut are returning.

[voodoo pimp]

I imagine it's something to do with this?

[Superpokemon67]

The bit about Regionals having Bo3 top cut made my day. I can't wait for Philly. I prizes downgrade really stinks though, especially masters not having a travel allowance for 3rd and 4th place. I'm holding on to the hope that it just means better prizes at nats, but it's unlikely :/.