After much deliberation and welcome input from a number of people, we will be modifying the tournament scoring system. The intent of the WCA is to monitor this new method throughout the summer tournament season and then reassess whether or not to make this change permanent. As always our intent is to be as fair and equitable as possible in method chosen.

The following are excerpts from the, soon to be released, updated Judge Guide. These new rules are effective immediately.

The winning Player will earn 3 (three) Tournament Points for a Full Win. The losing Player will earn 0 (zero) Tournament Points for a Full Loss.

To determine the winner of a Timed game, both Players will be graded using the following formula; a) any Destiny points currently earned PLUS b) twice the number of consecutive turns that individual has remained unchallenged in the Park (through the end of the final turn). The Player with the highest score will be considered the winner of the Timed game. The winning Player will earn 2 (two) Tournament Points for a Timed Win. The losing Player will earn 1 (one) Tournament point for a Timed Loss.

Example: Tina and Todd complete their final turn after time is called and neither has achieved a win condition. Tina has 8 destiny points. Todd has 5 destiny points when the game ended. Also, he held the Park for 4 consecutive turns through the end step of the final turn. Tina has earned 8 (Destiny) points. Todd has earned 5 (Destiny) + 8 (4 consecutive turns in the Park x 2) = 13 points. Todd is considered the Timed game winner.

If after calculating the Players graded scores, both Players are still tied, then both Players will be awarded 1 (one) Tournament Point.

If any Round results in an unpaired Player due to an odd number of participants, the lowest Ranked Player – who has not already received a Bye – will be issued a Bye. A Bye assigns a Player the full value of a win for scoring purposes, enabling them to be placed higher in the stack for Pairing purposes during the following Round.

A Player will earn 3 (three) Tournament Points for a Bye.

To determine the exact Ranking within an event for Players who have the same number of Tournament Points, the following tiebreaker procedure should be followed.

There you have it. As indicated, look for the full shiny new Judge Guide coming soon on this very web-site. And let us know what you think. Share your opinions and experiences using the new scoring method. We listen and are ready to do what is necessary to assure that Buffy events are as fair and fun as possible.

Aiming to be one of the Buffy CCG’s biggest events in the Year 2004, we‘re proud to present.... The 2^nd Open Buffy CCG German Masters, 19^th-20^th June 2004 in Jena!!!

This Tournament is open to any player in the world.

Saturday 10 am: Sealed Deck Format with Top 4 Multiplayer Final

Participation Fee: 10 Euro

Notes: Top 4 players after the Swiss Rounds will get a Co99 Theme Deck to further enhance their decks for the Multiplayer Final.

Saturday 5pm: Constructed Extended Format with Top 4 Multiplayer Final

Participation Fee: 3 Euro

Notes: All Virtual cards, except the Broken Links set, are legal.

Sunday 10 am: Constructed Standard Format with Multiplayer Final

Legal are all printed cards by score

These three events, and how well you did in them, all lead to your standing in the final event:

Sunday 4pm: Playoff for the title of “German Master”

These finals are played with the Constructed Standard Decks From the Sunday 10am Tournament. The Multiplayer Final of each previous Tournament does not count towards the over all win.

Signed Cards by Julie Benz (Darla), Musetta Vander (Natalie French) and Amber Benson (Tara), along with Booster Packs and Theme Decks!

This grand event will be held at the Dragon Slayer Convention in Jena: www.jendracon.de If you are interested, and need any further information, please contact me at c.Freining@gmx.de

*** A tuxedoed Joss Whedon enters the stage amidst wild applause.

Joss Whedon: Hello everybody! Welcome to this evening’s show. I am Joss Whedon, and I am your host tonight for the big Strategy Hunt Awards Presentation. *pauses for applause to fade down* We have lots of interesting winners in two Categories. Actually, everybody who participated is a winner. *pauses again for laughter and applause*

Joss Whedon: We will have a lot of guest stars presenting the Awards to the winners. In fact, we’ll have one for each an every category! All two of them! *pauses again for laughter* So, without further ado, I would like to introduce our first presenter. You know him as that wacky fruit-punch mouthed master vampire, The Master, and “Neidermeyer” form Animal House. Please welcome Mark Metcalf!

*** Mark Metcalf enters the stage, as Joss exits, amidst applause and orchestral music.

Mark Metcalf: Hello everybody. I’m very happy to be here, and to be presenting the award for the Best “The Old Man” German Deck… *pauses and considers a moment* Wait. *clearly upset* No “The Master with the German Promo” as a competition? Who’s idea was that?

*** As one, the whole crowd points to a terrified looking man in the corner***

Crowd: He did it!

Man in the Corner: Wait! No… but…*Mark pounces upon him and feasts, Master-style* Aaarrrrrggggghhhh!!!

*** The crowd cringes and makes noises of sympathetic pain, all the while glad it wasn’t them.

*** Mark returns to the stage while he licks the blood from his bloody fingernail with great pleasure.

Mark: “A Negative“, very nice….. *he suddenly realizes where he is and why the crowd is eyeing him* Oh… well... OK, let’s get on with the nominees…. Let’s see who we have.

*** Looks on the envelope.

Mark: This must be the wrong envelope… There’s only one name on it.

*** Joss, sitting just off-stage, was scribbling notes regarding Mark’s attack so he could possibly try doing something like it in one of the upcoming Angel movies, but looks up from his notes to off-handedly comment.

Joss: Well, there was only one deck idea posted on the board.

*** Mark looks a bit annoyed

Mark: Well, fine. Then the nominee is Ripper with his “The Old Man ‘mostly fighting Deck‘”. And, big surprise, the winner is Ripper. Congratulations……

*** The orchestra plays a flourish.

*** Joss returns to the stage, amidst applause for Ripper.

Joss: Thank you, Mark, for a most unique presentation.

*** The crowd applauds as Mark leaves the stage. The mutilated figure in the corner twitches.

Joss: Well, look at how quickly the time has passed. We are already at the final 3 prizes. The “Best Decks on the Strategy Board at www.buffyccg.com“. And we have a very special guest to present the prizes. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present Alyson Hannigan.

*** Crowd cheers as Alyson enters the stage in a lovely gown, and goes to the award podium.

Alyson: This is such a great moment in my life.

*** Her eyes begin to get misty with emotion as she holds the cards to her chest, overflowing with gratitude.

Alyson: I want to thank my mother; without her I wouldn‘t….

Joss: Alyson…

*** Alyson avoids eye contact with Joss and seems a bit upset by the interruption.

Alyson: No! I am here now, and I have waited so long to finally be recognized and win this, and now I want to thank some important people! *returns to her misty-eyed reverie* Without those important people, I wouldn’t be here, and….

*** Joss covers the microphone in a panic, but it doesn’t muffle his words a bit.

Joss: Alyson, you’re only supposed to present the prize to the Winner. You didn’t win anything. This is for the card game, remember?

*** Alyson blinks for a second in realization.

Alyson: Oh….. Oh! The thing… And the cards! And I…

*** Alyson looks at the 3 envelopes in her hand, and decides it’s best to just pretend it never happened.

Alyson: OK, then! Here are the super important nominees for the best deck strategy:

*** A montage of cards and players playing each deck is shown.

“Jenny Calendar” by Buffy&Riley

“Tara” by Visionary Liz

***Alyson smiles a bit and whispers a small, “Yay! Tara!”

“Riley Finn” by JAYCEprime2791

“Dark Willow” by I_Osugi

*** For a brief instant, it almost seemed as if Alyson’s hair darkened to black.

“The Old Man” by Ripper

“Maggie Walsh” by nearlygod

“The Zeppo” by The Zippo

“Darla” by Tarafan

Alyson: Now, I have 3 envelopes here….So we’ll go in order, starting with 1^st place….

Joss: Aly, traditionally you go from 3^rd place on up to 1^st…

Alyson: I know, but why be like everyone else?

Joss: OK Alyson, I’ll give you $100 if you start with 3^rd.

Alyson: No. I will still take number 1.

Joss: $200

Alyson: Still number 1.

Joss: OK…. You are a tough nut to crack. How about $1000, or… you can take what’s in the box that the lovely Mercedes McNab is bringing to the stage right now!

*** Mercedes, dressed like a game show girl, brings a small gift wrapped box to the stage. The crowd oohs and ahhs.

Alyson: Wow. On game shows, they sometimes put car keys in those boxes. But, they also sometimes put rocks... I think I’ll stay with number 1.

Joss: $1500!

Alyson: I am steadfast in my resolve. Observe my steadfasty-ness. Still number 1.

Joss: My final offer is $2500.

*** Joss pulls the money from his coat and waves it in front of Alyson.

Alyson: Well, when you put it that way…

*** Alyson snags the money, slips it in her purse and continues on without hesitation.

Alyson: So, the third place winner Is.…

*** Alyson opens the envelope.

Alyson: It is “The Old Man” by The Ripper! Congratulations again, Mr. Ripper!

*** Orchestra plays a flourish and the crowd cheers.

*** The crowd falls silent again

Alyson: And now, for 2^nd place.... The second best Strategy Deck is: “Tara” by Visionary Liz! Congratulations!

*** Orchestra plays a flourish and the crowd cheers.

***After a minute of cheering, Alyson begins speaking and it is immediately quiet again in the hall.

Alyson: And now the top prize… Number one… Numero Uno… The Big Cheese… The Supreme Strategy… The…

*** Joss clears his throat and gives Alyson a look, as if to say, “Get on with it.”

.Alyson: .... The winner in this category is…

***Alyson opens the envelope amidst a drum roll.

Alyson Dark Will.... Huh?!? Riley FINN??? Who voted for RILEY FINN??????

*** The Crowd points to the trembling mutilated figure in the corner.

Crowd: He did it.

*** Alyson’s hair goes jet black for a visible moment, and her eyes become pools of swimming blackness. She gestures viciously with her left hand. For a moment, the trembling man ceases to tremble as his whole form takes an ashen hue. He then proceeds to collapse to a pile of dust.

*** The crowd stares for a moment, and Alyson returns to her normal self.

Alyson: I feel better now…. So, I guess, the winner is the “Riley Finn fighting deck” by JAYCEprime. The Jury based their decision on how the deck was built to keep the strategy, and to handle most of the problems that other decks might throw in its direction. Congratulations, JAYCEprime!

Okay, so normally, at this point, there would be another nifty installment of Slayer Strategies. Well, as most of you know, I’m opening a shop, and trying to make sure everything is100% ready has sapped all my time away. It’s actually the entire reason the newsletter didn’t come out last week, as it was in my hands to edit and format it. Sorry, about that. So, anyway, next month there will be two strategies to make up for this month. Thanks again to all the well wishers, and I hope to see some of you at the Grand Opening! J