Anyone have any reviews/suggestions for LGS's in the Portland area?
I used to play long ago at Planet X in NW and Eternal Elysium in SE. Just curious if people have any summaries of what various stores have going on now in terms of stuff during the week, well-supported FNMs, monthly specials, pre-order prices, etc....
I know Portland used to have a thriving local play scene and competitive scene, so thanks in advance for any info!
There are actually quite a large number of game shops in the area. I'm not a local, but I visit often and usually try to pop in to check game shops out (I'm a board gamer too).
http://locator.wizards.com is always a great place to start looking. At least then you'll know who's running semi-regular events and then can go directly to the shop site for more info.
Yeah, I've stopped by a couple shops randomly. Was hoping someone might be able to give some insight before I go around and have to do all the legwork personally.
I'm a big Guardian Games fan myself, although I also go to Time Vault because hey, drafting on Sunday before I head off to the beer and pretzels games we play at 4:30 is pretty sweet.
Being as how I never made a point to check out the competition back when I ran/owned the magic singles collection at Nexus Games (before we closed). What are good places to get singles (good selection/competitive prices) these days? I have a lot of former customers looking for a good place to go to get singles now that Im gone, and Im honestly at a bit of a loss as to what to suggest. (Good selection = actively trying to keep everything in stock, Good Prices = as close to ebay as possible). Gresham or Portland Eastside preferable :).
I hate guardian personally (wont get into it here) as a player their prices are too high.
Red castle in SE (foster &64th-ish) rocks. Best prices, good tourney turnout and payout. varied level of players (new->spikes) with few people being hardcore spikes (the plays to win type)
in fact the only issue with red castle is their price being so low makes it harder to acquire some things (they sell as soon as they come in)
If you have to have it now and red castle doesnt have it, guardian has a good selection (but only because they gouge their players)
If youre looking for a place to have fun playing games, Red Castle all the way
So for the upcoming DGM release, it looks like Red Castle and Guardian both offer pre-orders for $85 a box. Does Time Vault do about the same? How are pre-releases handled? Anyone have good/bad experiences with various stores?
Being as how I never made a point to check out the competition back when I ran/owned the magic singles collection at Nexus Games (before we closed). What are good places to get singles (good selection/competitive prices) these days? I have a lot of former customers looking for a good place to go to get singles now that Im gone, and Im honestly at a bit of a loss as to what to suggest. (Good selection = actively trying to keep everything in stock, Good Prices = as close to ebay as possible). Gresham or Portland Eastside preferable :).
I've had good experiences buying and selling at Time Vault. I would recommend NOT Guardian.
Anyone have any reviews/suggestions for LGS's in the Portland area?
I used to play long ago at Planet X in NW and Eternal Elysium in SE. Just curious if people have any summaries of what various stores have going on now in terms of stuff during the week, well-supported FNMs, monthly specials, pre-order prices, etc....
I know Portland used to have a thriving local play scene and competitive scene, so thanks in advance for any info!
Guardian- Big, has an attached pub, poor singles selection at times but prices are reasonable. I tend to go to this shop by default, and have played a ton of EDH there on thursday nights. It is friendly and prices run decently, in my experience.
Red Castle: Medium sized, recently renovated, my son prefers this shop to any of the others in the area. It is a longer drive for me, though, so I only go there when I am playing with him and his friends, or getting singles I can't find elsewhere.
Loki's- Uber Small, but can find occasional good deals too.
Ancient Wonders- Best selection of singles I have ever seen. You want it, they got it. You may pay a small premium on singles, but it can be worth it when you can get a whole deck at once. Main problem is it is in Tualatin- so it is really only an option if you have wheels.
There is a shop in Hillsdale too, it is smallish, but pretty friendly.
For completeness sake, there's a couple other shops. Rainy Day Games is out in Aloha, Alternate Universe Games in Tigard, Epic Gaming in Milwaukie, and Other World Games in Hillsdale. I haven't been to Alternate Universe or Other World Games, though I've been intending to. There's also the Bat Cave if you cross the river in Vancouver - though I haven't been there since I moved back to the area (last I was there was... somewhere around 2003).
Also, Cascade Games still operates in the area (no physical storefront, just a TO), though they don't get the prereleases or PTQ's any longer since those were handed over to the stores. He does still get events like the upcoming Grand Prix: Portland (next month) and the State Champs events.
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I used to play long ago at Planet X in NW and Eternal Elysium in SE. Just curious if people have any summaries of what various stores have going on now in terms of stuff during the week, well-supported FNMs, monthly specials, pre-order prices, etc....
I know Portland used to have a thriving local play scene and competitive scene, so thanks in advance for any info!
http://locator.wizards.com is always a great place to start looking. At least then you'll know who's running semi-regular events and then can go directly to the shop site for more info.
www.mtgfinder.com pulled up a ton of info for zip code 97086.
I personally prefer Time Vault and Ancient Wonders, but Guardian has bigger events.
Red castle in SE (foster &64th-ish) rocks. Best prices, good tourney turnout and payout. varied level of players (new->spikes) with few people being hardcore spikes (the plays to win type)
in fact the only issue with red castle is their price being so low makes it harder to acquire some things (they sell as soon as they come in)
If you have to have it now and red castle doesnt have it, guardian has a good selection (but only because they gouge their players)
If youre looking for a place to have fun playing games, Red Castle all the way
Grammar is the difference between knowing your ****, and knowing you're ****.
I've had good experiences buying and selling at Time Vault. I would recommend NOT Guardian.
Guardian- Big, has an attached pub, poor singles selection at times but prices are reasonable. I tend to go to this shop by default, and have played a ton of EDH there on thursday nights. It is friendly and prices run decently, in my experience.
Red Castle: Medium sized, recently renovated, my son prefers this shop to any of the others in the area. It is a longer drive for me, though, so I only go there when I am playing with him and his friends, or getting singles I can't find elsewhere.
Loki's- Uber Small, but can find occasional good deals too.
Ancient Wonders- Best selection of singles I have ever seen. You want it, they got it. You may pay a small premium on singles, but it can be worth it when you can get a whole deck at once. Main problem is it is in Tualatin- so it is really only an option if you have wheels.
There is a shop in Hillsdale too, it is smallish, but pretty friendly.
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Also, Cascade Games still operates in the area (no physical storefront, just a TO), though they don't get the prereleases or PTQ's any longer since those were handed over to the stores. He does still get events like the upcoming Grand Prix: Portland (next month) and the State Champs events.