Written by Jim Ziegler

Pokémon TCG Pocket has been available for about six weeks now, and the second expansion is already imminent. Mythic Island releases on December 17th, but since the game’s calendar is based on Central time we can expect it on Monday night.

 

Only a few cards from Mythic Island have been revealed, but it’s already clear that the popular Water-type decks are getting a big buff. The new Vaporeon has an ability that allows players to move any number of Water Energy from their Benched Pokémon to their Active Pokémon . For experienced players, this means that you can safely retreat a Pokémon with only a few HP left and then immediately move all of its Energy to your next Active Pokémon. This minimizes the downside of retreating a Pokémon that you’ve invested heavily into powering up, since you can immediately transfer all of its energy to the other copy sitting on your Bench once its HP gets low.

 

Another new option for your Pokémon TCG Pocket deck is Mew ex, which has the Genome Hacking attack. For just three colorless Energy, Mew ex can use any of the opposing Pokémon's attacks,which means that your Mew ex can use your opponent's Charizard ex's Crimson Storm for one less Energy than your opponent needs to use the same attack. It’s also a Basic Pokémon, so you can easily squeeze one copy into almost any deck to get access to Genome Hacking in order to trade with your opponent’s Charizard ex.

 

With the release of Mythic Island imminent, it’s probably a good idea to hold off on opening your next pack and spending all of your Pack Stamina on Genetic Apex cards right now. Wait and see if Mythic Island has anything you want before going back to the old reliable.

HOLIDAY HOURS

December 24: 3:00 - 6:00pm

December 25, Closed

December 31, 3:00 - 6:00pm

January 1: Closed

 

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Pokémon Day

Sunday, 1:00 PM

The ever-popular monthly Pokémon Day event is back with all of your favorite activities. See Pokémon Professor Jim to Learn To Play and for help building your new deck at 1:00, then hang around for everyone's favorite activity, Pokémon Bingo. Win packs, promos, and prizes! Remember, all players under 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Entry fee: $10.

 

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $7.

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

Receive a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack. Participants are entered into the end-of-season prize pool. Entry fee: $10

 

Pokémon GO Scavenger Hunt

Grab an achievement sheet in-store and GO out to collect them! Complete the scavenger sheet to earn a booster pack and a promo pack, and to be entered into a drawing for an Elite Trainer Box and other prizes. Entry fee: $10 

 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Holiday Chaos Draft

Friday, 6:00 PM

What packs are you drafting? If you knew, that would spoil the fun! Draft from three random packs from the store’s inventory and duke it out against other Planeswalkers for the top spot! Entry fee: $25

 

End-Of-Year Commander Bingo

Saturday, 6:00 PM

Bring your best Commander deck and play for BINGOs! Earn extra prize tickets if you use a Commonder-ish or Foundations commander for at least one game. Entry fee: $15

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

 

Commonder-ish League

Thursday,  6:00 PM.

Build a commander deck using only commons & uncommons in the 99. Build from in-store bulk, or bring your deck, and compete against others with similar decks. Each week you’ll earn a pack and a pull to add to the deck. Ban list applies, proxies not permitted (but c’mon, they’re commons), and deck list required. Entry fee: $10

 

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, 7:00 PM, Saturday, 2:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn booster packs and OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Azurite Sea Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM, Saturdays, 1:00 PM, Sundays 5:00 PM

Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form. 

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

Friday & Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

CARDFIGHT! VANGUARD!

Divinez Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

Check out Jim's articles at The Gamer: https://www.thegamer.com/author/james-ziegler/ and like, follow, and subscribe to his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Alolan_Professor