The Fincastle Pokemon Gym has had to shift how it does things, as our business, Dark Moon Cards and Games has become our focus. We are largely a convention business, which means we travel to comic cons and anime cons all over the eastern United States. The conflict with our league, The Gym, is that conventions are held on weekends, as was our league. We are brainstorming ideas about a way to revisit our league regularly, but have not come to a solution as of yet.
That being said, we are very excited to announce that Dark Moon Cards and Games will be hosting our first prerelease since we were all locked down over 2 years ago. We will hold the release event for Pokemon’s newest card set, Lost Origins, this Friday, September 2nd, from 6pm-10pm at the Charles R Hill Community Center in Vinton, VA. (For more info on the newest set, click the link).
There is no cost to come in and check things out. The entry fee to play in the event is $30, which will provide you with a sealed “Build & Battle” kit from the newest set. From those kits, all participants will build a 40 card deck and enter into a 3 round, for-fun tournament. The winner of each game will earn an additional booster pack. Once the event is completed, all participants will play all 3 rounds will receive 2 additional booster packs from Lost Origins. Gym Leaders Marthe and Joel Honts will be available to help those new to the game build their decks and navigate the rounds.
The trading of cards is not allowed until after the event is completed. As was the rule at The Gym, we ask that anyone under the age of 18 have their trades approved by either Marthe or Joel so that no one ends up on the bad end of a trade.
We will also set up a retail display of what we take to conventions. We import direct from Japan, only products licensed by Nintendo, Creatures & Game Freak, the official creators and owners of all Pokemon merchandise. There is no cost to enter the center, just to play in the event. So, drop in and check out our unique variety of Japanese Pokemon figures, plushies, models, games and more. As of Friday, there are only 113 shopping days until Christmas!
Gym Leader Joel, who still stays on top of everything competitive in the Pokemon world, will be available to talk shop with anyone interested in competitive play. Joel has coached multiple TCG and VG players to success on the local, national and international level. He’ll have a deck or two with him and will try to be available for a game or two depending on how busy things get. Logan Honts, who just competed in the Pokemon World Championships in London will hopefully be on hand to play, depending on his schedule at UVA. We will have a few tables open for free play.
Come by, play some cards, hang out and share your love for all things Pokemon with us. See you this Friday!
Be not afraid. Later.
Fincastle Pokemon Gym 