Written by Jim Ziegler

Fifty years ago Gary Gygax and Dave Arneston published the very first edition of Dungeons & Dragons, which was quickly overshadowed by ripoffs such as Tunnels & Trolls, which used the same rule system but had much clearer instructions. Luckily for the budding company, TSR, “Satanic Panic” set in and accused the games of being cult recruitment tools, which only rocketed them for far more success than they had ever anticipated.

Almost twenty years later, Richard Garfield, Ph.D., began work on a simply card game he envisioned being played during breaks in his own D&D sessions. In 1993 he published the game: Magic, The Gathering. Founding Wizards of the Coast to market the new game, the young company was so successful that in 1997 they bought TSR and began publishing Dungeons & Dragons.

Despite owning both properties, with significant overlap in art, mechanics, and even development teams, Wizards of the Coast didn’t get around to doing a crossover between the two franchises until 2016, with the Planeshift: Zendikar supplement. This was soon followed by supplements to play D&D campaigns on the planes of Innistrad, Kaladesh, Ixalan, Dominaria, Amonkhet, Strixhaven, Theros, and the fan-favorite Ravnica. This led to some interesting situations, with races like minotaurs appearing in multiple source books with different stats, abilities, and physical descriptions. It wasn’t until 2021 that D&D crossed into Magic, with the Adventures in the Forgotten Realms set, and later Battle for Baldur’s Gate. 

To celebrate fifty years of D&D, Gam3Escape is hosting a Battle for Baldur’s Gate Commander Draft and Commander BINGO event, where you’ll earn an extra raffle ticket for playing a D&D commander. But with eight Magic sets canonized in D&D, what’s REALLY a D&D commander? Maybey the better question is, do you think you can pass the Persuasion check to convince Drew to give you an extra ticket for your The Ur-Dragon deck?

MINIATURE PAINTING WORKSHOP

Sunday, 1:00 PM

The popular miniature painting workshop is back! Pick and Reaper character miniature in stock and get it ready for play, with brushes and paints provided. Chad will be teaching advanced painting techniques, so come ready to learn! Entry fee: $6.00

GATHER FOR MAGIC

FNM Battle for Baldur’s Gate 50th Anniversary Draft

Friday, 6:00 PM

To celebrate fifty years of Dungeons & Dragons, grab your dice bag and get ready for a Battle for Baldur’s Gate Commander Draft! Take the Initiative and explore the Underdark with the second D&D crossover set. Entry fee: $25

Standard Showdown

Saturday, 3:00 PM

It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats. It's spurs and latigo. It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain and they call the thing Standard Showdown! Bring your best deck, and battle it out for fun and prizes. Stick around afterwards for OTJ Open House and Commander! Entry fee: $7.

Dungeons & Dragons Commander Bingo

Saturday, 6:00

Gam3Escape's Monthly Commander BINGO Event, plus 50th Anniversary of D&D Party. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, receive an extra ticket for playing any Dungeons & Dragons Commander. Entry fee: $10

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 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!

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Twilight Masquerade Prerelease Tournament

Monday, 6:30 PM 

Welcome to the land of Kitakami, where people and Pokémon live harmoniously with nature. Uncover the mystery of the masked Legendary Pokémon Ogerpon, appearing as four fearsome types of Tera Pokémon ex!. Entry fee: $30 ($25 for pre-order.)

League Challenge

Saturday, 6:30 PM

Best of 1 format, 30 minute matches, age divisions honored as much as possible based on participation. Deck lists are required, and must be submitted by 6:00 PM. Late and illegible deck lists may not be accepted. Prizes include packs, promos, and other Pokémon merchandise. Entry fee: $6.00

League Cup

Sunday, 12:00 PM

Best of 2 format, 45 minute matches, age divisions honored as much as possible based on participation. Deck lists are required, and must be submitted by 11:30 AM. Late and illegible deck lists may not be accepted. Prizes include playmats, packs, promos, and other Pokémon merchandise. Entry fee: $15.00

Pokémon League Casual Play

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

The $6 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store.

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $5

Legacy of Darkness Regional Qualifier

Saturday, 10:00 AM

Gam3Escape is excited to host a Yu-Gi-Oh! Regional Qualifier event for Legacy of Destruction! This is a Tier 2 event, so decklists and registration must be completed prior to 9:30 AM. Doors open at 9:00 AM, first round begins at 10:00 AM. All players will receive Legacy of Darkness packs. Side events include Win-a-Mat and Edison format events. Entry fee: $23.00

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Into the Inklands Lorcana League

Monday, 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)

Ursula’s Return Celebration Event

Friday, 6:30 PM

Ursula’s back, and she’s mad! Dive into the adventure in the Lorcana Ursula’s Return celebration event. Learn to play with one of the starter decks, and earn prizes and promos while you do! Entry fee: $10.00

Lorcana Learn To Play & Starter Deck Tournament

Saturday, 5:30 PM

Purchase a bundle which includes an Into the Inklands starter deck of your choice (while supplies last) plus a Disney Lorcana Ursula's Return booster pack and 200 count deck box. These decks mark the beginning of the next season of Lorcana League, so get in early for maximum prizes! Learn to play starts at 5:30 PM, tournament begins at 6:30 PM. Entry fee: $25.00

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

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. 

Jim's latest article in The Gamer:  https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-dragapult-ex-complete-deck-cards-guide/