Written by Jim Ziegler

September is a good month for Cinderace fans: The Max Out season in Pokémon GO finally introduces the Galarian partner Pokémon , giving players a chance to catch Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. Meanwhile, the Stellar Crown Pokémon TCG set introduces Cinderace ex, which players are already testing with the expectation that it will be a major player in high-level tournaments.

 

With the new season of Pokémon GO, you’ll notice an overwhelming amount of Galarian Pokémon in the wild, along with a new feature on the map: Power Spots. Power Spots function similarly to Poké Stops, but players can visit them for Max Particles instead of items. They also only exist for a short time before spawning in another location, so make sure to grab your Max Particles while you can.

 

There’s a daily limit of 800 Max Particles that you can collect, and a 1000 Max Particle limit that you can carry. The only way to use them now is to upgrade a Dynamax Pokemon’s Max Moves, which also costs Stardust and candy. Since Wooloo and Skwovet are the only Dynamax Pokémon currently available, that means you’ll need to keep catching them in order to clear your Max Particle inventory enough to finish the associated Special Research.

 

While Pokémon GO players are discouraged by the cost of upgrading their Dynamax Pokémon, Pokémon TCG players are excited by the new Cinderace ex. This fire Pokémon has two great attacks: Flare Strike, which does 280 damage but can’t be used two turns in a row, and Garnet Volley, which deals 180 damage to any of your opponent’s Pokémon. Both attacks require three energy, but Garnet Volley needs fire, fighting, and darkness energy.

 

One of the best parts of Cinderace ex is that it has no retreat cost, allowing it to pivot after using Flare Strike to allow another Pokémon to attack. If you manage to equip enough energy to two Cinderace exs, that means they can form a relay team to swing for 280 each turn!

 

Cinderace ex and the rest of Stellar Crown won’t be legal at this weekend’s League Challenge or League Cup, but Gam3Escape is hosting a Pokémon GO Scavenger Hunt for the month.

 

Flesh and Blood Rosetta Prerelease

Sunday, 1:00 PM

Celebrate Flesh and Blood’s newest set with the Rosetta prerelease tournament. Build a deck from eight packs and play for even more. Entry: $40

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

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: $10 

 

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet VGC Casual League

Thursday, 6:00 PM

Explore the Paldea region in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Meet new Pokémon, and battle it out with other Trainers at Gam3Escape’s VGC Casual League.

 

Pokémon GO Great League Blind 3 & Trade Night

Monday, 6:00 PM

Do you play Pokémon GO? Interested in meeting up with other players and playing in sanctioned Pokémon events? Gam3Escape hosts Pokémon GO League events. Stop in from 6pm to 9pm for our Great League blind 3 casual play and trade night. Entry: $5.00

 

Pokémon League Challenge

Saturday, 6:30 PM

Deck lists are required. Blank deck lists available in store or at https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-deck-list-85x11-obf.pdf   Deck lists are due 30 minutes before event start time (2:30pm). Tournament will be best of 1. Number of rounds will be determined by number of participants. Age divisions will be separated.  Entry: $7.00

 

Pokémon League Cup

Sunday, 12:00 PM

Deck lists are required. Blank deck lists available in store or at https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-deck-list-85x11-obf.pdf   Deck lists are due 30 minutes before event start time (11:30pm). Tournament will be best of 3. Number of rounds will be determined by number of participants. Age divisions will be separated.  Entry: $15.00

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

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

The $10 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack.

 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

FNM: Eldraine Sealed

Friday, 6:00 PM

Adventure is out there! Build a 40-card deck from three Throne of Eldraine and three Wilds of Eldraine booster packs and play for promos and prizes. Entry: $30

 

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!

 

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, 7:00 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

2024 Grand Prix Series Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, 7:00 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

 

Advanced Constructed Tournament

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: $5

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Shimmering Skies 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)

 

Shimmering Skies Lorcana League

Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Use your league deck for this constructed tournament. Entry fee: $11

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Warhammer 40K Tournament

Saturday, 9:00 AM

Bring your best 2000-point army to the table and battle for supremacy in space. Pre-register armies online at Best Coast Pairings. Entry: $20

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

 

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 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. 

Jim is a write for The Gamer. Here is a recent article of his:  https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-regulation-h-pokemon-explained/