Category: Deck Teching

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Emissaries of Light, Thoughts on Starters

16-131S – Jecht

A FFX Starter Set with a card that deals damage to a Forward for each Category X character you have? Who would have thought?

Jecht shines a little more than that. You can put Jecht into the Break Zone and search for a Light or Dark card. You’d think it’s to search for Tidus, which can be true, but Jecht is here to find himself. And bring Sin into your hand, and pretty much break a Forward.

 

 

16-132S – Bahamut

Another Bahamut for a “Free” play. That is if you got 10 Fire cards, or FFX Characters in your Break Zone, and Mootie (11-012C) on the field.

Other than that, you’ll most likely remove a Forward from the game. Be it your opponents or your own.

 

 

16-133S – Braska

A 2 cost Forward with an easily accessible Special ability that deals 7K Damage to a Forward. And you don’t dull Braska when it goes off. So depending on how many Summons you have in your hand, you can start shooting down Forwards left and right. (Correct me if I’m wrong on this)

Braska’s second ability is a little trickier to pull off, due to the Elements needed to activate it. But it is very well worth the cost, as it deals your opponent one point of Damage.

 

16-034S – Yuna

Plenty of Yunas to choose from.

Play a 1CP or 2CP card from the Break Zone onto the field. Activate all the Backups you control. and All the Guardians gain +2000 Power. Now, all three of these abilities will only go off, if Yuna enters the field when you have 5 points of Damage.

 

 

16-135S – Lulu

I don’t know. Something tells me this card would have been better as a Backup. Being a Forward means that Lulu can be easily broken by your opponent.

But, then again Lulu comes with some built in protection. In case you haven’t noticed.

Lulu enters the field. You search for Yuna, or a Summon if Yuna is already on the field. When Lulu attacks and your opponent Blocks her, all you have to do is cast a Summon. Doesn’t matter which one. Because when that Summon is cast you can choose the Attacking Forward and turn his Power 5K. And since Yuna is already on the field, Lulu gains +2K power, thus making her 7K and successfully beating your opponents Forward which now has 5000 power.

16-136S – Auron

Auron has turned into a Meat Shield, as all Summons and abilities must choose him. And, that’s ok. Because other than just blocking your opponents Forwards, or taking a hit from Summons and abilities. Auron will let you draw a card when he enters the Break Zone.

 

 

 

16-137S – Rikku

I like this Rikku.

Because once per turn you’ll be able to get rid of one of your opponent’s Forwards.

And depending on if Yuna is on the field or not, you’ll be drawing a card as well.

 

 

16-138S – Wakka

I don’t know. I still think the Opus I Wakka was the best one. Same can be said about Shantotto.

But, being able to Break a Forward for a couple of Reel counters isn’t too shabby.

 

 

 

16-139S – Tidus

Tidus really puts this whole Starter Set together. You’ll either be playing Tidus for free, or you’ll be playing him early on to start getting all the pieces out, as you’ll be searching for Jecht, Yuna or Wakka.

And that is not all.

+2K to all the Forwards, every time the Tidus attacks.

Oh, and did I mention that this one comes as a Full Art Foil?

16-140S – Sin

Sin does what Sin does.

Destroy everything.

Unless you already have received 6 points of Damage.

I can already hear everyone complain about the unoriginal artwork for Sin.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Pulse of Life

*Spoiler Alert*

It’s what everyone has been trying to do since the end of disc 1. Yes that was just in case you still haven’t played FFVII.

End Spoiler

Aerith – 16-067L
Forward
Ancient
VII
Legend
5000 Power

“The Forwards other than Aerith you control gain +2000 power

When Aerith is put from the field into the Break Zone, you may remove Aerith from the game. When you do so, place 3 Reraise Counters on Aerith.

At the begining of Main Phase 1 during each of your turns, if 1 or more Reraise Counters are placed on Aerith, remove 1 Reraise Counter from Aerith. Then, if there are no Reraise Conters on Aerith, play Aerith onto the field. This effect will trigger only if Aerith is removed from the game.”

Let’s just put aside Final Fantasy VII for now. Although I know most of us will just throw her in a VII deck based off of Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Marlene. Add in some Avalanche and you just added Aerith to the party.

But, we’re going to look at this a little differently.

We’re pairing Aerith with Enna Kross. The plan is to bring in the “Big Guns” and make them even bigger. For simplicity, we’re just going to stay in Earth.

Prishe (1-116L) : Prishe already comes in with 8K power, which is pretty good by itself. Add the 3000 and you get 11000 Power, which is enough to take down Bhunivelze. But, you can always use Auroral Uppercut and double that power, for a total of 22000 Power. You’ll probably never need that much power, but then again why do we always level up our characters to Lvl.99

Gabranth (2-081L) : Although no one really uses Gabranth anymore, it’s a good card to play towards the end of the game. When he costs 1CP and gives everyone Brave.

Y’shtola (12-119L) : Ok, so this one is Wind/Earth, but it still counts. Y’shtola will hardly take any damage. Ever. Period. And frankly she can’t be blocked by a Forward that would be able to Break her.

And, that’s just a few Forwards, that you can play. Any better ideas? I bet you have some. Let us know in the comments.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Crystal Dominion – Thoughts on Light/Dark

15-127H – Ace

You can cast Forwards from your Break Zone. But, only 2 per turn.

That is interesting. I’d like to see this in action.

If you already got your 5 Backups on the field, I can see Ace being played late in the game. Try and get back your heavy hitters for one last dance.

 

 

15-128L – Noctis

Just in time for the holidays. Noctis is the gift that keeps on giving. But only if you join the party. As long as you keep the party going, you’ll be able to choose up to 2 of Noctis’ actions.

Break a Monster. Dull and Freeze. Deal Damage. Draw a card. Gain Haste.

Rinse and Repeat.

And with Lunafreya, Noctis will have added protection.

15-129L – Ardyn

At 5CP Ardyn is sure to put your opponent on Ice.

Depending on how many cards you discard from your hand, your opponent will need to choose your discarded card plus 1, of Ardyns action abilities.

Break Characters, Remove cards from their deck, Deal Damage. You name it Ardyn’s got it.

You can tell by the smug look on his face that he means business.

15-130H – Nox Suzaku

Once Nox Suzaku comes on to the field, you probably will be playing a Forward at the end of each of your turns. Sure it might sound like you’re playing a card for free, but in reality you are paying for it with the 2 cards that end up in your Break Zone.
It’ll be a race to the finish, as you’ll be bleeding cards every turn, but you’ll also have plenty of Forwards coming on to the field at every turn.

An all Forwards deck might be the perfect spot for Nox Suzaku.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Crystal Dominion – Opinion on Water

15-106C – Atomos

Easy way to get rid of a Forward. Doesn’t matter which one, you’ll still get rid of one.

Add a Crystal and only pay 1CP for Atomos.

Not bad, not bad at all.

 

 

15-107H – Umaro

1CP/9K Power

That is one hell of a trade. But, you’ll also pay 1 Crystal. At least you’ll get it back when Umaro is put into the Break Zone.

That is, if he ever makes it to the Break Zone.

 

 

15-108C – Dancer

I would have never thought that they would make a card like this.

All of a sudden that 1 Forward loses all it’s abilities and Categories and wait … does Job count as a Category? What about Element? I’ll have to check on that. … But even if it’s only Category it will still put a dent in some decks.

Now, Imagine if they had a card that would do this to the whole board.

 

 

15-109R – Ultros

The card with the best art this set. I don’t care what anyone says. This is the Chase Card.

Ultros being Ultros.

As of this moment you can have up to 12 Ultros in your deck. That means you’ll most likely hit an Ultros if you reveal the top 5 cards of your deck.

Each Ultros has the ability to find you another Ultros if it gets chosen or broken.

This will be the card I am making a deck out of this set.

Thank you, I’ll take 3.

Shiny Holo Full Art.

15-110C – Gau EX

“Gau’s a Wild Child,
come and love him,
He wants yoooouuuuuuu, ooooo”

I wonder if Gau is a WASP fan. He and Blackie Lawless can form a band and gain a Chris “tal” Holmes when he enters the field. Get it? XD No?

At least I didn’t quit my day job. Yet.

Any who, for 2CP you’ll gain a Crystal and at 3 points of Damage, Gau gains 3K power.

15-111C – Keiss

See, Gau and Blackie Lawless would have been perfect for this card.

Keiss is just a Free card that can generate double the CP for you. If you got a party going that is.

Simple as that.

 

 

15-112R – Shinryu Celestia

Expensive card, if you want to se her on entry ability. It’s almost like paying 6CP for it.

But, if you’re playing Cadets, it might be worth it. For, every time one is sent to the Break Zone, one of your opponents Forwards will lose 3000 Power.

 

 

 

15-113C – Strago

Pay a Crystal, get rid of a pesky Forward that’s been bothering you for a bit, and draw a card.

I hope that Forward doesn’t have an on entry ability cause he only went as far as his owner’s hand.

But, you still get a card.

 

 

15-114C – Dracoknight

Self-reviving Forward.

3CP/7K will recycle for you and then you can play Dracoknight again the next turn. Or even the same turn if you have the CP.

 

 

 

15-115H – Penelo

If you’re playing Sky Pirates, you’re playing this Penelo.

You will be paying 0CP for her ability.

Protect a Forward, Weaken a Forward, or Draw a card.

The option is up to you.

 

 

15-116C – Hilda EX

Technically you’re paying 2CP for Hilda, and if you play her late game, it might even be free. because at 5 points of Damage you can play a 3 cost Forward or less from the Break Zone onto the field. And if that card is a Viking, You are drawing 1 more card.

 

 

 

 

15-117R/9-113H – Famfrit

Reprint from opus IX.

Nothing to see here, move along.

Well, Famfrit used to be a Hero, now he’s just a Rare.

Put 2 Forwards or Monsters in the Break Zone.

 

 

15-118C – Blue Wyrm

Draw a card, and cash out when you need a Forward with 6000 Power.

Do or Die, or Do and Break.

 

 

 

 

15-119L – Porom

Porom here, getting an EXP Counter Every turn. And Every turn you can choose 1 Forward of 5CP or less and it loses all abilities. And at 3 EXP Counters it’s power becomes 1000.

After that you just use Palom (15-011L) and finish that Forward off. Just Like that.

It’s called Twincast.

 

 

15-120H – Mind Flayer

Mind Flayer is Lani’s (12-018H) Water Summon form.

Grab one of the top 2 cards of your opponents deck and cast it without paying the cost. But, only this turn. Lani would allow you to keep the card and cast it whenever you would like. But, you would pay the cost.

I’ll take it.

Let me grab that Sophie of the top of your deck. Opus 1 Shantotto? I think I’m ready for a board wipe.

15-121R – Mayakov

A forward that dances the effects of your opponents abilities away. Mayakov has the 4CP/8K Power we all have come to know, but it’s his ability that makes him stand out. Plus playing a Dancer from your hand onto the field, also lowers his cost to 1CP.

How many Dancers do we have?

 

 

 

15-122L – Mog (VI)

Hmm, this is interesting.

Pay a Crystal, draw some cards, and hopefully Break one of your opponents Forwards, or your own, if that’s what you’d like. Or just return them to their owner’s hand.

Either way Mog, has the ability to draw even more cards, with Water Harmony, only this time you don’t need to discard any cards.

 

 

15-123C – Oracle

I had a plan with Oracle. And then I realized that it wouldn’t work.

So, scratch that.

Oracle will give you a crystal every time she enters the field. You can dull, and put her in the Break Zone to reduce damage to one of your Forwards and grab her back with Robel-Akbel.

Oracle’s use will be determined by the abilities that revolve around Crystal use.

 

15-124H – Relm

Like Relm here. Oracle will give you the Crystals for Relm to search for Monsters to play onto the field.

And there are plenty of 5 cost Monsters that will do some damage. Some Monsters will even let you grab Characters from the Break Zone.

Build your own Army of Monsters, all you need to do is protect Relm.

 

 

15-125R – Lunafreya

At 1CP/7K Power, Lunafreya is only here to protect a XV Forward.

Which one you chose is up to you. But, you will need Noctis if you plan on attacking with Lunafreya. Or block for that matter.
Other than that, you can just cast Lunafreya and keep her like a Monster. Just standing in her own Zone. Not blocking, not attacking. Just a constant 2K buff to your XV Forward along with a veil of Protection against Summons and abilities.

 

 

15-126R – Lenna

Here’s another use for Oracle.

Lenna will allow you to grab a Forward from the Break Zone and play it onto the field. 2CP or 3CP, depending on how many Crystals you use to pay.

There are plenty of 2 cost and 3 cost Forwards that you can play. They don’t even need to be Water Forwards. Any element will do. Like that sneaky Zidane from Opus III.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Crystal Dominion – Opinion on Lightning

15-085R – Aquila EX

Hmm, I’ve been trying to figure out how much this card will be used.

On one hand you’ll be gaining a Crystal once per turn when you cast a Summon. And at 3 points of Damage you can grab a Lightning Summon from your Break Zone when Aquila enters the field. Which makes him a 2 cost.

Now that I’ve written it out, I can see some use with Aquila. And of course, I just realized he is a Forward. 8K body.

Let’s give it a try.

15-086R – Axis

I seem to be missing the point here. If someone can enlighten me, that would be great.

Probably need to look into other Kingsglaive cards.

The only thing that I can come up with is, put Axis into the Break Zone and grab a Forward. When Axis is put into the Break Zone, Nyx gains Haste, or you can choose 1 Forward and dull it. But, that’s only if Nyx is already on the field.

 

15-087C – Aranea EX

Mono-Lightning/Dragoons

That’s what you will be playing. Grab a card one she enters the field and at 3 points of Damage all the Dragoons gain +2K.

If she had more than 3000 Power, this card would have been at least a Hero. But, that’s just my opinion. Aranea might have been the card, that will make me want to try a Dragoon deck. Nothing crazy, just enough to give your Dragoons that extra bit of Oomph.

15-088H – Vayne

This is interesting.

You finally have another use for backups, with an on entry ability. and no other use after that. Remove 2 of them from the game and play Vayne for free, technically.

And, then one Vayne is on the field all your Forwards gain 2000 power and your opponents lose 2000 power. It’s kind of Like Titan, but better.

 

15-089C – Sky Soldier

This is what you call an ace up your sleeve.

You’re eyeing that one Forward that’s on the field that your opponent controls that has been causing you grief. Well this is what you’ll do. You attack with a Forward that only that one Forward can block and when that one Forward blocks your Forward, you’ll dull Sky Soldier and then that one Forward, that blocked your Forward will break once your Forward deals damage to the other Forward.

Capiche?

15-090H – Odin

Break a 2 cost or a 4 cost Forward.

Cause that’s what Odin does.

Zanetsuken

 

 

15-091C – Thunder Drake

How many 2CP Forwards are being played? Well you can get rid of one with Thunder Drake. And, if that doesn’t work, you can get rid of a 1 cost Forward. For 2CP that is not bad at all.

Now the Do or Die ability, that Thunder Drake has and so many other Monsters in this set. A meat shield that you can throw at your opponent, before it rots away at the end of the turn.

 

15-092C – Sonitus

2Cp for a Backup, that when you would like to Break a Forward, you can just pay 3CP more, and receive 1 point of Damage for your trouble.

Sonitus can work as your bluff card.

Just have him out on the field. He’ll give you 1CP every turn and he just might stop your opponent from doing something just because he is on the field.

 

15-093R – Tredd

For 1CP this card is great. Even if you just throw him in there to give a Forward +1K and Brave, and then use him to block an attack. You’re already ahead of the game. I’d play Tredd every turn if I could. In and Out.

Or, you can just put him in the Break Zone yourself, to give a Forward +3K and First Strike until the end of the turn.

 

15-094L – Nyx

Slowly removing the Kingsglaive from the Break Zone will make Nyx more powerful. You probably won’t have to use it every turn, but just knowing that you can makes it even better.

Or, you can remove 5 Kingsglaive from the Break Zone and search for a XV Forward of 5CP or less and play it on the field. A card like Ardyn (15-129L) would be a perfect candidate. Especially late in the game.

Nyx>Ardyn>Win

15-095C – Ninja

Enter the Ninja, and gain a Crystal.

Other than that, dull and put Ninja into the Break Zone to deal a Forward 1000 Damage.

 

 

 


15-096C – Noel

For a Common, this is a pretty decent card.

You can go all out with Noel, as when he is blocked he’ll deal 6000 damage to the Forward and then his attack will deal another 6K, which will most likely finish off your opponents Forward

 

 

15-097H – Feolthanos

There is something about this card. Only thing for certain is that you’ll be playing Feolthanos during your Main Phase 2. After
you’ve attacked with all your Forwards.

And if you’re playing an all Forwards deck, you won’t even need to worry about losing your Backups, because you won’t have any n the first place.

 

 


15-098C – Pelna

Simple, yet effective Backup. I can see an Earth/Lightning deck with just Noctis and Crew and the Kingsglaive, all going strong.

And, the +2K Power isn’t too shabby.

 

 

15-099C – Magitek Armor

5CP to enter, then dull and discard 2 cards, is a little too pricey to break 1 Forward.

I’ll pass.

 

 

 

 

15-100R – Ragelise EX

Here is Lady Lilith’s Crystal Maker.

There’s a good chance a Forward will enter the Break Zone at least once a turn.

And, at 3 points of damage, you gain a Crystal when she enters.

What shall we do with all these Crystals?

 

15-101R – Ramuh

Lightning Re-Print, but, it’s a decent one.

Pick 2 of the 4 Actions.

Not bad at all.

 

 

15-102H – Lilisette

Dull 1 Dancer to dull a Forward.

Or, Dull 4 Dancers to deal 8K damage to all the Active Forwards.

Kind of like Feolthanos.

Climatic Flourish, grants protection to all Dancers.

 

15-103R – Regis

Regis comes with his personal guard. That will protect him when ever a Summon or ability chooses Regis. Sure, You still have
to play the Kingsglaive from your hand, but you will do so at a lower cost.

Other than that Regis gains +1K at 3 points of Damage.

 

 

15-104L – Lady Lilith

One of the first cards that was revealed. Lady Lilith gives us the ability to gain a Crystal every turn, by removing a card from the game.

How good this card is, will depend on how good the Crystal abilities are. Lady Lilith’s abilities, are OK. For 1 Crystal you can give a Lightning Forward Haste, and for 2 Crystals you can Break a Forward of 5CP or less.

Give me a Forward to remove with good on entry abilities, and I’ll give you a reason to gain a Crystal. Or something like that.

15-105C – Remora

Pay a Crystal to reduce the cost of casting Remora.

Other than that Remora buff up one of your Forwards and reduce the Power of one of your opponents Forwards. What’s the word? Deflate? Gimp?