GP Trial cannot use Legacy format (even for a Legacy GP!)

[Xantid Swarm]

A local game store just announced a GP Trial for Indiannapolis, using Standard format. At first, I think it was a mistake, as GP Indiannapolis is Legacy and GPT normally use the same format as the GP. But after some search, I find this:

•The format for each Grand Prix Trial chosen by the individual store running the event. Possible formats include Sealed Deck, Standard, Extended, Modern, or Innistrad Block Constructed. Contact the store or check the event locator for the format of each individual Grand Prix Trial.

Source: http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/events.aspx?x=mtg/event/grandprix/indianapolis12/trials

As you can notice, Legacy is clearly exclude as a format so a game store running a GPT cannot choose Legacy even for a Legacy GP like Indiannapolis. On the Indiannapolis GP page there seem to be no last chance trial scedulled on friday either.

This seem to be a new politic regarding GPT because last year for Providence every GPT was Legacy.

I believe this is very stupid and also very sad. Indy is far away from home but I was planning on playing in few GPT here and if I won one, I would try to do the trip. Now, there is no question i will even try if I'm obliged to buy a Standard deck just for that. I would like to see some explanation of this new politic from Wizard. Anybody know something about it?

[Skeggi]

Looks like Wizards is really pushing Modern. Or they 'forgot' to mention Legacy, but it looks like the former I'm afraid.

[Koby]

I think that the list is not comprehensive; some stores are choosing Legacy while others are doing Sealed (admittedly, no one who plays Legacy ends up going to these stores anyway as they don't have a clue...</aside>).

It is more of a suggestion that is likely copy/pasted for all GP Trials. Legacy GP's happen so rarely that they don't include them in the stock document.

[Xantid Swarm]

I think that the list is not comprehensive; some stores are choosing Legacy while others are doing Sealed (admittedly, no one who plays Legacy ends up going to these stores anyway as they don't have a clue...</aside>).

It is more of a suggestion that is likely copy/pasted for all GP Trials. Legacy GP's happen so rarely that they don't include them in the stock document.

I would like this to be true. But I search the net for some GPT Indiannapolis and find one Standard, one Modern and one Sealed. No one use Legacy format. Also, take a look at this: http://bellbcomic.com/2011/12/15/gpt-indy/
At the end of the announcement, it's very clear:
** Please note: GP Indy is a Legacy Event. However, under current GPT Policy Legacy is currently unavailable as a format.

I seriously fail to understand the logic behind this policy...

[Koby]

I'm under the impression that the store is left with the choice of format to run the event. Some stores may be taking the GP Indianapolis info page guidelines as literal. I think it's another case of WotC cut/paste job that omitted Legacy and no one has bothered to fact check it from the WotC side.

I'll ask around with some TO's in my area and check if that's indeed the case.

[trivial_matters]

That would suck if it turns out to be completely true and not some error or something.

[Jonathan Alexander]

I know of a GPT for Madrid in Germany that has been announced as Legacy, while GP Madrid will not be Legacy this year. Just sayin'.

[Xantid Swarm]

I know of a GPT for Madrid in Germany that has been announced as Legacy, while GP Madrid will not be Legacy this year. Just sayin'.

Could you post a link for this GP Trial? I would like to show it to local TO if needed.

[CorpT]

I've played in Legacy GPTs before. This would have to be a new change.

What's interesting is that it was for Providence and it is listed as Legacy as the format for GPTs:
http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/events.aspx?x=mtg/event/grandprix/providence11/trials

The sheet lists Legacy as the format, but gives rounds for both sealed and constructed:
Attendance Swiss rounds
8 3, Single-Elimination
9-16 4, Sealed – Top 8, Constructed – Top 4

[Richard Cheese]

Our LGS is trying to set up a GPT for Indy as a Legacy event, will update when I hear the official word from them.

[Mark Sun]

I asked Aaron Forsythe on Twitter; hopefully we'll have clarification soon.

[Koby]

According to the Southwest coordinator, the GPT should be run in the formats explicitly listed (aka "as advertised"). It's counter-intuitive to what most of us understand to be a good system. I have found a few stores offering Legacy format GPT for Indy, so just talk with the store organizers and request them to use a specific format - it doesn't look like TO are being forced to pick out of those formats.

[LowBeyonder]

I asked and got a reply on Twitter; it's an oversight and should be fixed next week on the fact sheet.

[Skeggi]

Thank god.

[Richard Cheese]

I asked and got a reply on Twitter; it's an oversight and should be fixed next week on the fact sheet.

Nice. On a related note, how long does day 2 of a GP usually last? My instinct is to just book a flight back Sunday night, assuming that bad players like myself generally do not make it to the later rounds. Would be nice to have an idea of when I might be done if I happen to do well.

[Koby]

Nice. On a related note, how long does day 2 of a GP usually last? My instinct is to just book a flight back Sunday night, assuming that bad players like myself generally do not make it to the later rounds. Would be nice to have an idea of when I might be done if I happen to do well.

As long as they need to in order to determine a winner. Typically, it's cut to Top 64 for medium sized GP, so that only leaves a 6 round tournament with timed top 8.

[Trentemoller]

Usually 6-7 rounds on day 2 and then cut to top 8 :) starting early (in Amsterdam it was 8am)

[sillyandrew]

quick lesson in the english language:

"Possible formats include Sealed Deck, Standard, Extended, Modern, or Innistrad Block Constructed."

the word "include" in this sentence means that of X formats, these are "possible," not limited to. reading this alone, (from the GP indianaplis wotc page) one should have no reason to worry, because it in no way insinuates that legacy is excluded.

[ESG]

quick lesson in the english language:

"Possible formats include Sealed Deck, Standard, Extended, Modern, or Innistrad Block Constructed."

the word "include" in this sentence means that of X formats, these are "possible," not limited to. reading this alone, (from the GP indianaplis wotc page) one should have no reason to worry, because it in no way insinuates that legacy is excluded.

True, but let's not overlook the fact that "include" is often misused to mean "are." I would not assume WOTC follows Strunk and White with rigor when drafting such announcements.

[thefringthing]

A judge in my area confirms that Legacy is not an option in Wizards Event Reporter for a GPT.

[LowBeyonder]

Yeah. Here's what Scott Larabee (@ScottLarabee) said on Twitter:

Will be fixed next week. for now, your store can schedule a different format/contact WPN to change to Legacy

[Xantid Swarm]

Awesome. Very hapy to see it was only a mistake and not a stupid new policy.

[thefringthing]

"@comboranger GPTs can be Legacy for a Legacy GP; it's a mistake for the Indy GPTs and it'll be corrected next week" - @HeleneBergeot

[Patrunkenphat7]

Wow this is shocking and really stupid. I hope the trials that are currently listed as Standard change to Legacy...