Alpha Trion Tournament Series

See Also: https://www.patreon.com/posts/46332578

Alpha Trion Invitational Changes

The first change for the Alpha Trion Season Three is the elimination of the “Alpha Trion Season Invitational” as a separate month long event. There are two major reasons for this. First, the Invitational was created as a way of rewarding players for continued participation in monthly events. Well, I am happy to say this concern is not an actual concern. In fact, the opposite has proven to be true: the pass-down system (which is necessary) has allowed for almost anyone who wants to play in the Invitational to be eligible as the season progresses. 

Therefore, the concept of qualification is an illusion at best, and at worst an excuse to not play in events once a player already has qualified. For the few players who do not qualify, the month they are unable to actually play is a negative experience. Secondly, since the Invitational has simply become and end of season month long event, the only real difference is that is has become a sort of “super Open” with increased prize support. Again, a VERY HIGH percentage of players who participated in multiple events are automatically qualified, so any pressure created by the finality of this event over a season is moot. The idea of the Invitational was to replicate the larger Open events of the past, modified with the EIQ seasons, but the month long nature of online play has made this a difficult, if not impossible, feat to replicate.

This does not mean that the concept of playing with a higher purpose is going away. In fact, I would argue participation in events, one day or month long, is being enhanced. Now, we will use a point system, dependent on standing from each event, and high finishers will receive additional prizes at the end of the four month season. Currently, points will be awarded for ALL Alpha Trion events, monthly and one-day events, with the potential to also earn points in other events that utilize the Alpha Trion Protocols cards and rules sets (bannings, formats, etc.). Prizes for this season-long event will be given out to the top sixteen players throughout the season and will be unique from other prizes given out. Note: these points do not pass down, it is based on final standing. Here is the current plan for how the system will work:

see pic above

At the end of the season (four months), the top sixteen players will receive prizes. What are they going to be you ask? Well, nothing is set in stone and will be quickly decided but preliminary ideas include:

· Metal versions of ATP cards (see pic below)

· Unique playmats to the winner/top 4/8

· Card/Cash Equivalents

In addition to the changes to the Invitational above, it is important we keep you informed of the schedule for season three. Here is the tentative schedule for the March to June time frame:

For all Month Long Opens, prizes are as follows:

5th to 8th Place:  

Metal Character from ATP2 or ATP3 (Large sized, when available), choice of ATP based metal cards (more info coming, hot off the presses!). 

The first character will be a unique per event alternative card but will be mechanically the same as the existing version. Think of it like an alternate alt/foil/Energon Edition version of the existing card. See above for example pic.

Note: We are awaiting information on getting metal versions of the larger character sizes, if we are unable to procure them, we will announce an equivalent replacement in time for the season to begin. 

3rd to 4th Place: 

Metal Character from ATP2 or ATP3 (Large sized, when available), choice of ATP based metal cards (more info coming, hot off the presses!). The first character will be a unique per event alternative card but will be mechanically the same as the existing version. 

Think of it like an alternate alt/foil/Energon Edition version of the existing card. See above for example pic.

Full set of ATP-1 Printed Stratagems (if already owned can have cash acquisition equivalent or other special printings)

2nd Place: 

Metal Character from ATP2 or ATP3 (Large sized, when available), choice of ATP based metal cards (more info coming, hot off the presses!). The first character will be a unique per event alternative card but will be mechanically the same as the existing version. Think of it like an alternate alt/foil/Energon Edition version of the existing card. See above for example pic.

Full set of ATP-1 Printed Stratagems (if already owned can have cash acquisition equivalent or other special printings)

Choice: Mid-Level SRT (or cash acquisition equivalent) OR a set of ATP-2 or ATP-3, stock depending

1st Place: 

Metal Character from ATP2 or ATP3 (Large sized, when available), choice of ATP based metal cards (more info coming, hot off the presses!). The first character will be a unique per event alternative card but will be mechanically the same as the existing version. Think of it like an alternate alt/foil/Energon Edition version of the existing card. See above for example pic.

Full set of ATP-1 Printed Stratagems (if already owned can have cash acquisition equivalent or other special printings)

Choice: High-Level SRT (or cash acquisition equivalent) OR a set of ATP-2 andATP-3, stock depending (or cash acquisition equivalent)

For all One Day Events, prizes will be announced when the event description is launched. Due to the nature of some events being charity related, they are all not equivalent. 

Remember, any player in a Tournament tier is automatically able to play in any monthly Open event. All one-day events carry their own entry fee/prize support. 

As we kickoff Season Three, we are starting a new cadence with the updates to the format Banned lists. At the start of each season, all changes to the banned lists for the upcoming season, regardless of format, will be posted. Except for any emergency additions, this banned list will carry forward to the start of the next season. Therefore we anticipate the next update to the banned list to come early March. 

Also, see above for the new point system base replacement to the Invitational.