Game Glossary

A game format for Magic: the Gathering where two teams of two compete against each other

A block refers to a collection of three Magic: The Gathering sets. For example, the “Scars of Mirrodin” block is comprised of the sets Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged, and New Phyrexia. Each block remains Standard legal until two Octobers pass. Blocks rotate every year, on the release date of the new October set. For example, in October 2012, the Scars of Mirrodin block will rotate out of standard, and the Return to Ravnica block will be a new addition for standard. See also: Standard

A special multi-player game format for Magic: the Gathering, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander, or EDH.

In the game of Magic: the Gathering, constructed refers to the number of cards the player must use when building this type of deck. A constructed deck must have at least 60 cards. The player may also use an optional 15-card sideboard, if desired. In the game of HeroClix, a constructed event may have certain build restrictions or special scenario rules. See also: Standard Constructed, Sideboard, or Limited

A draft is a type of tournament where players take turns picking the cards they will use to build their deck. In a draft, players will pay for a certain number of sealed booster packs and draft their deck in a group. In a Magic: The Gathering draft, players will draft in groups of eight with three booster packs. Each player will open a pack, choose a card and pass the pack to their left or right. Drafting continues this way until all cards have been chosen. Players are given a set period of time to build their decks and then the game rounds will begin. The Board Game Barrister will provide basic land cards for players to borrow (please return the land afterward).

See: Commander

D&D Encounters is a weekly campaign organized by Wizards of the Coast. The encounters come in seasons, and there are generally 14-16 weeks in a season. Players will have the option to make their own unique character or use one of the provided pre-generated ones. It’s okay if you can’t make it every week; Encounters are forgiving if your schedule won’t allow you to make it every one and a while. This is a very casual game with a rotating cast of characters. Encounters is a great way for new players to get their feet wet in the D&D world, or for veteran players to just let loose and have a great time.

Event Tickets can be purchased at the store, and they are required for entry into all Board Game Barrister events. Be sure to give your Event Ticket to the person who’s running your game. If you are playing in a draft or sealed tournament, you must hand your event ticket to the tournament organizer in order to receive your booster packs.

In the game of HeroClix, The Golden Age is a format which allows for all HeroClix that are compatible, minus a few of the Promotional Figures. This includes Marvel HeroClix, DC HeroClix, Indy HeroClix, Street Fighter HeroClix, Gears of War HeroClix, and Halo HeroClix (not including Halo ActionClix). Also see: Modern Age or Silver Age.

HeroClix is a collectable super-hero miniature game. Players build teams using their favorite character figurines from comic books, video games, literature, and other sources. The players battle it out on various maps, scoring points every time they knock-out an opposing figure.

League play is designed to occur weekly over a set period of time. When you join one of our leagues you will typically register a specific team or deck that you will use over the course of the league. Joining a league can be a big time commitment, make sure you will be free each week to play. See also: Pokemon League

In the game of Magic: the Gathering, limited refers to the number of cards the player must use when building this type of deck. A limited deck must have at least 40 cards. See also: Constructed, Sealed, or Draft.

Modern is a format consisting of cards that are “not old”. Generally, if the card has been printed or reprinted in the newer-style card frame that appeared in 8th Edition, it is Modern legal. More details on Modern can be found here.

A quick and casual game format for Magic: the Gathering. Each player opens one booster pack, without looking at the cards, and adds basic land to create a 30-card deck. Also known as Pack Wars.

In the game of HeroClix, The Modern Age is a format which allows characters from the most recent sets of Marvel and DC HeroClix. Older sets are retired once a year, usually in spring or summer. Feats, Battle Field Conditions, and Event dials are not usable in Modern Age. Also see: Golden Age or Silver Age.

See: Mini-Master

Pokemon League is a little more relaxed than a typical league setting. Pokemon League is a weekly, casual play event that is suitable for trainers of all ages! The Pokemon League does not require a participant to use the same deck week after week; think up something new and test it out with your friends. When you sign up for Pokemon League you get a Card with your name on it. Then every time you complete a battle you get a space on the card marked off, after you complete a certain amount of battles you get a cool promo card!

A pre-release event is a special type of tournament; players are given the chance to use cards from a new set before they are released! This type of event is the only way to get your hands on a new expansion before it even hits the store’s shelves. We usually have special prizes that will only be available to that event’s participants, so make sure you stop by and get yours! Our pre-release events can have high attendance, so make sure to register early. We have several pre-releases every year for Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering.

Sealed is a game format where players pay for a certain number of booster packs, which they use to build a deck. In a typical sealed event players will each get six booster packs and be given one hour to build a deck. Only the cards opened directly from your new booster packs can be used; players can’t trade or bring additional cards. Basic land or energy cards will be provided for players to borrow (please return them afterward). We run sealed events for Magic, Pokemon and HeroClix. See also: Pre-Release

In the game of Magic: the Gathering, players may opt to use a sideboard of exactly 15 cards, along with their constructed deck. Players may exchange cards out of their sideboard for cards in their deck after the first round of a match. However, the exchanges must be made on a one-for-one basis, so that the sideboard still contains exactly 15 cards. See also: Constructed

In the game of HeroClix, Silver Age is an unofficial format. At the Board Game Barrister, Silver Age allows the following: All HeroClix figures are allowed; No Feats, Event dials, or Battle Field Conditions are allowed; All Alternate Team Abilities (Additional Team Abilities) are allowed; All Maps are allowed, but the entire tournament must be played on the same size map for all players; All special Objects are allowed. Also see: Modern Age or Golden Age.

In the game of Magic: the Gathering, Standard refers to the sets of cards players are allowed to use when building this type of deck. A Standard deck can only have cards that have been printed (or reprinted) in an expansion or core set released since 2 Octobers ago. For example:

Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged, New Phyrexia, and 2012 Core Set – Cards printed or reprinted in these sets are Standard legal until fall 2012 (approximate date: October 5.)

Innistrad, Dark Ascension, Avacyn Restored, and 2013 Core Set – Cards printed or reprinted in these sets are Standard legal until Fall 2013 (date TBA).

How can you tell if you have an old (or new) card and want to know if it is considered Standard legal? Go to http://gatherer.wizards.com/ and enter the card’s name. Run the search and check the “Sets & Legality” tab on the results window. If “Standard” is listed, your card is legal at FNM. See also: Standard Constructed.

Standard Constructed is a format of play for Magic: The Gathering. Our Friday Night Magic events are always Standard Constructed format. See also: Standard or Constructed.