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[Firestorm]

Update: PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO PLAY.

http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/indy-here-we-come/

The US National Championships are just around the corner. Here’s what you need to know.

Gear up for the 2014 Pokémon TCG and Video Game US National Championships, starting July 4, 2014! The three-day event is the largest Play! Pokémon tournament of the year and features some of the most fun and intense battles on the planet. Take a look at some of the news regarding the upcoming competition in Indianapolis.

Preregistration Begins
For the first time, Pokémon players will have the opportunity to register for the National Championships prior to arriving at the Indiana Convention Center. Skip the long lines and secure your seat in the competition starting now. You’ll need your Player ID handy. Preregistration is open to both Pokémon TCG and video game competitors in all age divisions. Pokémon TCG Masters Division players, you’ll be able to pay your tournament registration entry fee at the same time.

Preregister for the Pokémon TCG National Championships.
Preregister for the Pokémon Video Game National Championships.

Travel Awards Issued
Hundreds of top players from around the country who have been battling throughout the year have qualified for Travel Awards and Stipends. In fact, more than $300,000 worth of Travel Awards and Stipends have been issued to nearly 500 players! Travel Awards ensure that the top players from the entire season are recognized for their excellent play and that the National Championships include some of the best players in the country. For more information on Travel Awards, check out this recent Pokemon.com article.

Live Streaming on Twitch!
Once again, Play! Pokémon is using the Twitch platform to provide hours of competitive action live from the tournament floor! Live streaming will cover both Pokémon video game and Pokémon TCG matches, including Swiss rounds, top-cut matches, and of course every finals match. Tune in to the action at twitch.tv/pokemon or on Pokemon.com’s official Nationals page during the event.

National Championships live streaming schedule (times subject to change):

Saturday, July 5
Noon to 5 p.m.: Pokémon Video Game
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Pokémon TCG

Sunday, July 6
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Pokémon TCG
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Pokémon Video Game

A Cool Pokémon Distribution Event
At the 2013 Pokémon World Championships, Arash Ommati led an epic team to victory to become World Champion. Now you can add a Mamoswine to your game based on one of the stars from his winning party! This Lv. 50 Shiny Mamoswine is built to do massive damage with four devastating attacks—Icicle Spear, Earthquake, Icicle Crash, and Rock Slide. It is also holding a Choice Scarf to help make up for Mamoswine’s relatively slow speed.

Everyone who attends the Pokémon National Championships can get Mamoswine—not just the competitors. Be sure to bring your system from the Nintendo 3DS family and your copy of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y. Look for signs at the Indiana Convention Center hall for more details on how to get Arash’s Mamoswine!

Whether you’re competing, cheering on your friends, or just stopping by to join the fun, we look forward to seeing you on the Fourth of July weekend at the Indiana Convention Center for the Pokémon National Championships.
Good luck, Trainers!

 

[Astral/H3X]

Hey I live in Indiana. I think Ill check this out.

 

[TheFurizzlyBear]

I'd go if I was local. World Champs are in DC this year and you can bet your bottom dollar I will be there. Wish it was X and Y though...

 

[Firestorm]

I'd go if I was local. World Champs are in DC this year and you can bet your bottom dollar I will be there. Wish it was X and Y though...

It is X & Y.

See guys there =) I'll be in Indianapolis and DC.

 

[PreyingShark]

...Shiny Mamoswine?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Will be watching stream of course

 

[TheFurizzlyBear]

It is X & Y.

See guys there =) I'll be in Indianapolis and DC.

*Heavy Breathing* that gets me hyped.

Man I coulda swore I read when they announced it that it was still Black and White 2 since the regionals started when X and Y were brand new.

 

[Firestorm]

First round of Regionals in October used BW2 but starting with the events in January we've been on XY. Just remember to make sure your team is legal for play as they have some special rules in place this year (must be in one of the three Kalos Pokedexes and bred or captured in X or Y).

The Last Chance Qualifier on Friday is open to all to play in and Worlds has exclusive merchandise, autograph signings by Masuda, and is overall just a fun experience!

 

[Wanace]

I live right outside Indy, I'm going!

Just preregistered too, even though I don't have a decent X/Y team at all. But I've got a month to prepare so I'll give it a go.

 

[Macka]

How does this work? Did you need to place in the VGC Regionals to be qualify for Nationals?

 

[Wanace]

How does this work? Did you need to place in the VGC Regionals to be qualify for Nationals?

Apparently not. I've never been to a competition before and I was able to preregister online.

I think the main thing that matters for the tournaments is your points. Obviously if you've attended other events you'll have more tournament points which gives you a better chance to go to the Worlds.

 

[Firestorm]

Apparently not. I've never been to a competition before and I was able to preregister online.

I think the main thing that matters for the tournaments is your points. Obviously if you've attended other events you'll have more tournament points which gives you a better chance to go to the Worlds.

Correct! If this is your first tournament, you'll need to finish in the Top 4 to get the invite to Worlds. However, there are others who have done so well this year they'll have the invite regardless of how they do and a whole bunch who need to aim for Top 32, 16, or 8 for the invite.

It's a fun experience regardless! I don't expect to be able to make Worlds off this (I need Top 8 and am definitely not a great players!) but will be competing =)

Edit: Just noticed Macka is in Sydney? Australia Nationals is in Melbourne on July 13th. Anyone can enter and the top 2 players or so will receive an invitation and trip to Worlds in DC.

 

[Firestorm]

Just wanted to update that Pre-Registration is REQUIRED for entry. Please pre-register if you are attending.

Also, the commentators for the stream have been announced! http://nuggetbridge.com/news/commentators-announced-2014-pokemon-world-us-national-championships/

 

[PreyingShark]

A list of those who made it to Day 2 and thus have a chance of being on stream tomorrow is listed here. Check the OP for stream time.

Yes, Firestorm went 8-1 and is on the list as a result. Congratulations!

 

[weaKwillO]

Stream starting: http://www.twitch.tv/pokemon

 

[PBalfredo]

Cool. I'll be watching this. I hope we see some good variety to the teams so it's not just the Rotom, Aegislash and Garchomp show.

edit: oof, is there always this much downtime between matches?

 

[PreyingShark]

I liked that last match there because it shows the dangers of double protecting to avoid Fake Out.

 

[PBalfredo]

Just saw the Junior champion match. Good show. That Ferrothorn and Mega Manectric combo worked well on Kangaskhan and Talonflame. Just having the Manectric out put the pressure on Talonflame to use Brave Bird instead of Flare Blitz on Ferrothorn least Manectric outspeeds it and hits it with a Volt Switch.

 

[The Last One]

Anyone watched the seniors finals? Pretty good showing there. First female national winner too.

 

[PBalfredo]

The senior finale was really good. Came down to a great nailbiter finish. Masters wasn't as exciting, since they were all round one Kangs vs Kangs.