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Palom & Porom, The Twin Mages

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Dauntless twins. Prodigious mages in the making.

Twin mages with vast magic potential, Palom and Porom trained daily to perfect their skills under the guidance of the Elder. The disobedient Palom often skipped out on his training, which frequently led his more diligent sister Porom to berate him. After Cecil arrives in Mysidia, the twins join the Dark Knight’s part to secretly monitor him. Once they realize Cecil’s trustworthiness, they join him in his fight.

You never know what you’re going to get with these two. One minute they’re spies, the next they’re trying to save you.

 -Taken from the Ultimania

2-015H – Palom

I’m looking at this card and I’m wondering why isn’t anyone using this?

Palom comes in for 3CP with 6000 power. Now, if he comes into the field through the Break Zone, or through Search and Play, Palom deals a Forward 7000 damage.

Up to here, this isn’t a great card.

But, let’s take a look at Comet.

Deal your opponent 1 point of damage.

Comet. That is one hell of an S ability, and the cost isn’t much either. 1 Palom card, dull an active Porom and dull Palom. No extra CP or anything else.

This card is worth a shot, especially if you’re playing with the Twin Mages.

“Blizzard! And that, my friends is how it’s done!”

2-016R – Palom

Here we are.

The perfect card for the previous Palom.

For 1CP you get a Forward that will attack and deal 2000 damage to a Forward.

So far so good.

Now, if Palom damages your opponent, or that Forward that was damaged is put in the break Zone, you can put Palom into the Break Zone, search for another Palom and play it onto the field.

And, there are plenty of Paloms to choose from that have decent Enter the Field abilities. Most just deal damage to one of your opponent’s Forwards. If you play Palom 5-018L you’ll also draw a card.

Give it a shot.

2-135H – Porom

Just like Palom 2-015H, you would like to play Porom off of a Search and Play or from the Break Zone. When she comes in you will return a Forward to it’s owner’s hand. This could be one of your cards as well as it doesn’t specifically say your opponent’s Forwards.

And, the S ability, is meh. You’ll much rather play Palom’s Comet, but if you want to use Pyroblast, you’ll deal a Forward 8000 damage.

That’s about it.

“You would expect him to try a little harder to fool us, wouldn’t you?”

2-136R – Porom

I like this one better than the previous Porom as it gives some sort of protection to the Twin Mages.

Whenever they are targeted by your opponent’s Summons or abilities, you can return them to your hand, instead of breaking them.

You can also just send Porom into the Break Zone, and search for another Porom and play it onto the field. I would probably pick Porom 3-140R, as it activates all of your Forwards.

“It was almost like we’d gained an older brother.”

3-016H – Palom

I can see why this one isn’t being used as much.

Whenever a Forward is dealt damage, that damage increases by 1000. Yes, there are ways to offset this, by playing Maria (1-083H) who gives all of your Forwards +1000 power, but you can also just use a different Palom and keep that +1000 power.
But, we’re not talking about Maria.

Palom does have a decent S ability, that deals damage to 3 of your opponent’s Forwards. 1st one gets 6000 damage, 2nd gets 4000 damage and the third one gets 2000 damage. Add in the damage increase of 1000, and that gives you 7K, 5K and 3K.

You might be able to take out a few Forwards with this ability.

It’s worth a shot.

3-140R – Porom

This card is still playable.

For 4CP you can Activate all of your Forwards. It would be a good idea to keep Porom on hand, and when you think you can win the game, you can go all out with your Forwards. If you don’t manage to win it, then just play Porom and activate all of your Forward in Main Phase 2.

That way, at least you’ll have some blockers on the field.

This alone makes Porom worth playing. Plus you get a Meat Shield after it too.

Curaga, will protect one of your Forwards from damage dealt to it this turn.

“That repulsive brat is my twin brother, Palom.”

5-018L – Palom

This is a great card to play off of Palom 2-016R, and only if Porom is already on the field.

If not, I would suggest to play a different Palom.

Palom comes in, and deals a Forward 7000 damage. And if Palom is on the field you will also draw a card from your deck.
The ability isn’t that great, just deals 1000 damage to a Forward.

You’d think this card would be a lot better, considering it is a Legend.

“Your goody-two-shoes attitude is gettin’ old.”

5-135L – Porom

Hmm…

Just like Palom, I don’t see much use for this.

Porom comes in, you look at the top 3 cards of your deck, grab one and put the other 2 at the bottom.

Ok, that just makes Porom a 2 cost Forward, with 5000 power.

Only thing that might be worth it is Porom’s ability to cancel an action ability.

It’s like a Mini-Amaterasu. Just different.

“Right!”

8-041H – Palom

Here’s something different. Palom is ready to put a cog in your opponent’s gears. Especially if he comes in during your opponent’s turn as a response to anything that your opponent tries to do. How can you do this? Palom 2-016R. Yes, we’re throwing that card everywhere.

Palom will come in and you can both discard a card, you freeze on of your opponent’s Forwards, or you can dull all of their Backups. And, if you’re playing something along the lines of Turbo Discard, they won’t have any moves this turn.

Fire/Ice? It should work.

“Geez. Why are adults so pigheaded?”

9-115R – Porom

Here we have a miniature White Mage, whose sole purpose is to grab a Summon from your Break Zone.

This will also come off as an EX Burst.

Simple. Effective.

And you’ll have a tiny meat shield on the field ready to be sent to the Break zone at all times.

“Tellah, look after Cecil for us!”

11-121C – Porom

If you need to shuffle some cards in your hand, you should play Porom.

You’ll discard a card, and whether it is a Final Fantasy IV Character or not, will determine how many cards you will draw.

Maybe 1, maybe 2.

If it’s 2 you’ll discard another card from your hand.

It’s the old Switcharoo.

Porom also protects a Forward with her ability, which reduces the damage dealt to it, by 2000.

“Break!”

13-013C – Palom

“Cheap Backup with an enter the field ability. Needs Porom to be any good, but then there are a few other Palom cards I would rather play than this one.”

I don’t know if I was wrong on this card, but years later the Foil version of this card is going for a pretty penny.

And, when I look at it right now, I would say the same thing I said back then.

Go figure.

“Break!”

15-011L – Palom

Now this look interesting. Palom almost looks like George from Peppa Pig. The way he’s holding that Dinosaur, I mean Dragon. But the card looks interesting as well.

George … I mean Palom here, has an ability that gets stronger after a couple of turns. Palom gains 1EXP Counter at the end of each of your turns. With each EXP Counter Palom gains 1K power.

The longer Palom remains on the field the stronger he gets. I would say that this is a great turn 1 card.

And Palom’s ability. For a total cost of 0CP, Palom can deal either 2K damage or 8K damage to one of your opponents Forwards.

Yes, Please. I’ll take 3.

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.”

Basically, what that says.

More EXP, more breaks. Just like the game.

20-017R – Palom

Kind of looks like this card was drawn with MS Paint. And, I don’t mean that in a bad way.

At 2CP, Palom won’t steal the show this set, but it’s still a decent card if you got the Crystals. That’s why we need the Samurai reprint this set.

Palom will come in and deal a Forward 8000 damage, with the help of a Crystal.

I’m figuring Porom will have a similar enter the field ability, after that they can both be sent to the Break Zone to deal a Forward 10,000 damage.

“Be thankful that the Mysidian genius Palom is going to help you!”

20-113R – Porom

Lots of recycling here, Water should be called the Recycling Center today. Cards for cards.

We’ll give you a card and then you’ll give us a card back.

More like a trade center?

Anyway Palom’s twin sister Porom comes in or leaves the field, and you get to draw and discard 1 card.

If you discard a FFIV Character you can also get a Crystal. Two for the price of one.

21-098R – Palom

I’d say this is a pass.

There are far better Paloms out there.

Sure, this one is Lightning and deals 9000 damage to one of your opponent’s Forwards that cost 3 CP or less.

I’d say the only good thing about this card is that the ability can go off from an EX Burst. And, that’s about it.

Leave this one at home, unless your drafting. Then you might want to use it.

23-018R – Palom

Palom, one half of the twin mages.

Palom is a free play, if Porom is already on the field.

If not he’ll only cost 2CP. Palom comes in with 5000 power and allows you to place 2 EXP Counters on a Forward. That Forward will gain +2000 power.

And, if the twins work together, I think Porom will be something like this as well.

“Grown-ups. They like trouble!”

23-110R – Porom

Porom, the other half of the twin mages.

Same thing here, Porom is a free play if you have Palom already on the field.

And, just like Porom she comes in with 5000 power.

When Porom comes in you can place 2 EXP Counters on a Forward, and that Forward gains a shield of sorts. Damage dealt to that Forward will be reduced by 2000.

You’ll be able to splash one or the other of these twins, as there is no cost to pay, if the other is on the field.

Looking for the Twins?

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Yang Fang Leiden

Level-headed monk with an indomitable will.

A monk and squadron leader from the kingdom of Fabul. He is the strongest monk in his nation and possesses a polite personality, making him quite popular among his people. Yang is attacked by monsters while training on Mt. Hobs and is saved by Ceil’s party. He joins them after learning that his country’s crystal is in danger. After the battle for the Wind Crystal, Yang continues to adventure with Cecil’s party and helps them overcome innumerable hardships. Yang’s personality is both serious and strict, but he is no match for his short-tempered wife.

-Taken from the Ultimania

After much training and trying to dodge his wife’s frying pan, Yang is ready for your decks.

Looking for Yang.?

2-090R – Yang

Yang, an 8000 power Forward that will gain more power with each additional Monk that is on the field. From Backups to Standard Units, you name it. Each Monk gives Yang +1000 power. And, if Yang’s power becomes more than 10,000 Yang will also gain Brave.

Sure, the 5CP you need to play Yang is a bit high, but you’ll be getting a nearly unstoppable Forward that will be wheeling and dealing damage throughout the entire game.

Simply put, just add Monks.

“Uhh…is it time for training already? Let me sleep a little longer.”

2-091C – Yang

The second Yang from Opus II.

This Yang plays like the other Yang, but slightly different.

If there is another Monk, Yang gains 2000 power and Brave. And, that’s it.

Yes, you can only raise Yang’s power once by 2000, but this Yang only costs 2CP compared to the 5CP of the Rare Yang.

Is this better?

Probably not, you’ll much rather spend an extra 3CP to play the other Yang.

“I see. Then I will most humbly accept whatever help you are willing to provide.”

3-095R – Yang

This is more like it.

Yang gains +1K and Brave if you control Ursula. Who’s Ursula? Yang’s daughter, but you’ll only see her in The After Years. Or was she a baby during the events of Final Fantasy IV?

Nope, she is first seen during Final Fantasy IV Interlude. But, we’re not here to talk about that.

When Yang enters the field, you can play Ursula from your hand on to the field. You’ll probably want to grab Ursula (11-064L) which will allow you to grab a 2 cost Monk from your Break Zone and play it onto the field. If you get lucky on turn 1, you can have 3 cards on the field for a whopping 4CP.

Then there’s Kick. Yang’s ability from Final Fantasy IV, where Yang does a Flying Kick to all the enemies, dealing them all damage which equals to half of Yang’s power.

This might be your starting point for a Monk’s deck.

“Ooh, time for training!”

5-095H – Yang

5CP for Hero Yang.

This time if you control 5 or more Earth Characters Yang gains +1ooo power and Brave. This is already not as good as the previous Yangs that we have seen.

The only saving grace to this card is that Yang cannot become dull by your opponent’s Summons of abilities.

Other than that, Yang is just a glorified Meat Shield.

With Brave.

“It has been an honor fighting with you.”

9-075R – Yang

Yang comes on and gives another Forward +2000 power and Brave. If that Forward is a Monk, it will also deal damage to one of your opponent’s Forwards equal to that Monk’s power.

After that Yang once again stays on the front line as a Meat Shield.

At least the artwork is good on this card.

Other than that, you’ll probably want to save that 4CP, and play something else.

“Achoooooooooooooo!”

13-064R – Yang

“If you’re playing Mon…. I already said that. Yang will give your Monks a boost.

High powered Forwards with Brave. Add Enna Kros (1-095R) and they will have an extra 1K.

I saw that Monks already took first place, and Yang was a part of that. ”

That’s what I wrote when Opus XIII came out.

At 1 point of damage Yang comes in, and you play a Monk from your hand. Which could be Ursula as we mentioned before, letting you grab a Monk from the Break Zone and playing it onto the field.

At 3 points of damage, Yang gives all the Monks +1000 power and Brave, making them all unstoppable .. Almost unstoppable.

“Lure the enemies here, then… Smash ’em!”

Where’s Yang?

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Tellah

The sage who sacrifices all to avenge his daughter.

– An old man who lived in the oasis town of Kaipo with his daughter, Anna. When Anna eloped with Prince Edward, he pursued the couple to Damcyan Castle. Anna was killed during an attack by the armies of Baron, and Tellah vowed revenge against Golbez and the Red Wings under his command. Tellah climbs Mount Ordeals to obtain the power to defeat his foe, mastering Meteor, the sealed magic of legend. When Tellah confronts Golbez in the Tower of Zot, he expends his life force to cast Meteor, perishing soon after.

Taken from the Ultimania.

Tellah gives us one of the most iconic quotes in Final Fantasy. “You spoony bard!”

And with that, we’ll look back on all of Tellah’s cards throughout the series.

“She was not your daughter! Her killer will die by my hand!”

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2-012R – Tellah

Tellah stays on the back line, just waiting to cast Meteor.

It doesn’t specifically say Meteor, but Tellah deals 9000 damage to a Forward, and he is put into the Break Zone.

You can actually recreate the scene from Final Fantasy IV, when Tellah casts Meteor on Golbez, which uses up all of Tellah’s energy that he doesn’t survive casting it.

And, that’s about it.

This might have been a good card when Opus II came out, but I don’t see anyone using this anymore.

“I shall avenge Anna with Meteor!”

5-015H – Tellah

For 3CP you get a Backup, that can deal 7000 damage to a Forward if you decide to break Tellah. Almost like the Opus II Tellah, Tellah does follow along the same lines as before, just slightly weaker.

I know, you’re going to say, but this Tellah is a Hero, and the other one is a Rare, how is this one weaker?

First off it costs less than the Opus II Tellah, and this Tellah has Recall.

With Recall, you get to deal at least 4000 damage to a Forward of your choosing. This damage can technically go up all the way to 44,000. It all depends on the top card of your deck. You’ll remove it from the game and deal 4000 x the cost of the card removed from the game.

You might get lucky you might not. But, imagine seeing the look on your opponent’s face if the top card of your deck is 14-075H Mont Leonis, or Chaos 16-129L. Sure, you don’t want to lose Chaos to this ability, but it might be worth it.

“I brought this… on myself… letting hate consume me so… please… avenge… Anna…”

13-026C – Tellah EX

“Use Ark (8-135H) to help pay for Tellah, Grab Ark back from the Break Zone. Next turn Dull Tellah, Discard Ark, put Tellah in the Break Zone.

Yell “You, Spoony Bard!!!”

Deal 30K Damage to one Forward.”

That’s what we wrote when Opus XIII came out, and I must say that, yes I would still write something along the same lines, so I’ll just leave it at that.

Looking for Tellah?

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Kain Highwind

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The prideful Dragoon, unable to show his true feelings.

Commander of Baron’s Dragoons, he is Cecil’s childhood friend and occasional rival. Kain’s secret feelings for his childhood friend Rosa allow Golbez to seize control of his mind and force him to become Cecil’s enemy. Once released from the brainwashing, Kain feels remorse and seeks to atone for his actions by joining the fight against the true mastermind, Zemus.

-Taken from the Ultimania

Commander of the Dragoons, Kain is no stranger to mind tricks, especially when they work against him.

Let’s take a look at all of Kain’s cards.

1-127H – Kain EX

At 6CP, this card is expensive for today’s decks. There are plenty of cards that will do what Kain does, and they will do it better.

But, this is still Kain.

Kain comes in and you choose a Forward and they lose 5000 power. That can be enough to break most Forwards. Especially the low cost ones.

We also have Dragoon’s Pride, which looks more like a Reverse Jump.

Kain will break a Forward, but Kain will not activate during the next Active Phase. Meaning that Kain attacks and then he jumps out of harm’s way.

2-103H – Kain

How did I never really read this card?

This is actually pretty good.

Kain comes in with Haste. You can then use his ability and your opponent will not be able to choose him with their Summons and abilities.

After that, during your next turn, Kain’s power will double. Which turns Kain into a 10K body. 12K if you have Lulu on the field. I’m sure there are also plenty of other ways to increase Kain’s power as well.

2-104R – Kain

How is this Rare, better than the Hero card of the same set?

If Rosa is on the field Kain gains Haste, First Strike and +2000 power. But, that is not the reason you’ll be playing Kain.

As Commander of the Dragoons, all Dragoons gain +2000 power.

You probably don’t even need Rosa to play Kain.

This makes a huge difference in how I see Dragoons.

I might even build a Dragoon deck for myself now.

Just to try it out.

6-090H – Kain

Golbez? There’s no Dark Golbez.

No wait actually there is. But, I doubt your opponent will be playing it. They’ll more than likely be playing Chaos.

For 3CP, you get a 9K body, which is good if your opponent isn’t playing any Dark cards. Cause if they are as soon as that Dark Forward enters the field, Kain gets his brain washed and your opponent takes control of him.

The only way to get him back is to send your opponent’s Dark Forward to the Break Zone.

I like it that it plays into the story, but I’ll pass on this one.

9-084H – Kain

It was something about Kain and Ranperre.

Discard Ranperre before paying the cost to cast Kain to make him 3CP, and then Ranperre plays a Final Fantasy XI Forward from your hand onto the field. Which would turn the tides a bit in your favor.

Other than that, for 3CP you get an 8k body, and when Kain enters the field, one of your opponent’s Forward loses 8000 damage until the end of the turn.

We already know that you will not be paying 8CP to cast Kain. So, is there any other Lightning Backup to toss and get a better effect?

10-134S – Kain

Coming in with Haste, this Kain does not receive damage unless he blocks an attack, or his attack gets blocked.

That means that in order to keep Kain safe, he should not attack or block.

And, we know that’s not going to happen.

Gungnir? Yes, Kain gains +5K power and First Strike until the end of the turn. This gives you another way to keep Kain alive.
Here’s an idea. Fill you deck with 50 Kains. and just keep using Gungnir over and over again.

Hey, it might work.

11-054R – Hooded Man EX

There’s a reason why you can’t play Hooded Man and Kain at the same time. I won’t tell you but, you probably already know.
When Hooded Man comes into play you can grab a Final Fantasy IV Forward from your Break Zone. Which by itself is a great reason to play Hooded Man. Let’s not forget that this comes off as an EX Burst as well.

And, that’s not all. Hooded Man has one more ability that will make him a mainstay in any Final Fantasy IV deck. At the end of every turn, yours and your opponent’s Hooded Man wil activate all of your Final Fantasy IV Forwards.

What’s not to like?

13-073H – Kain

Kain is a great card if you can play him straight from the Break Zone. Cause once he gets broken, he’ll be under your opponents control.

Thancred (12-124L) and Y’shtola (13-134S) can play him straight out of the Break Zone.

15-048L – Kain EX

Attack and choose. Draw a card or Activate all the Characters other than Kain?

All the Characters? Characters?

Every time Kain attacks you can Activate your whole board?

Screw the extra card. Get me some blockers, and Edge, Opus I Maria, and anyone else that can help protect Kain.

Oh. And, some characters that will give me Crystals. Don’t want to lose Kain at the end of my turn.

17-102L – Hooded Man

This time Hooded Man comes in with Haste, and when he enters the field you can remove either a Kain or a Hooded Man from your Break Zone, if you do so, you can activate all of your Backups, and you can draw a card as well. Bringing Hooded Man’s cost down to 2CP.

How is this a Legend?

What am I missing?

You’re just paying to activate your Backups and have a Meat shield on the field.

17-131S – Kain

Haste? Check

Way to reduce the CP cost? Check

Buffs self when attacking? Check

All in all Kain here is a decent card. You might end up only paying 1CP for Kain, and if you do he’s an attacking Forward with 9K power.

 

17-136S – Kain

Kain allows you to grab a FFIV Water Character from the Break Zone.Plenty of Characters that you can choose from.

Other than that he can come in with Haste depending on the field situation.

3CP, 7000 power.

How badly do you need that Water Character in your Break Zone?

 

 

19-073C – Kain

Have we had a Kain as a Backup before?

Either way, this one isn’t half bad. Actually pretty useful with Back Attack.

If you have a Forward that is blocking another Forward, and your opponent buffs it to match the your Forwards power, you can play Kain and give your Forward First Strike. That way your attack will go through first. Breaking your opponents Forward.

Other than that, there really isn’t much use for it.

22-041C – Kain

Haste, and First Strike for a Common?

Activate 2 Characters when Kain Attacks?

+1000 power at 3 points of Damage?

How is this a common?

Whatever Rarity Kain has, this card is great. Actually it’s GRRRRREAT!

And, don’t get me started on the artwork, because we’re not here to talk about the artwork.

Just throw Kain into any Wind deck and you’ll do fine.

23-003C – Kain

Haste, and First Strike?

Kain is ready to strike!

Remember when we were talking about an all Haste deck? Well, Kain here is the perfect fir for it. Cause, every time he attacks, all of the Forwards with Haste or First Strike gain +2000 power.

Your opponent won’t know what to block, when to block, who to block, where to block, and most importantly, how to block.

Double Jump, is just a regular Jump attack, if it was double, Kain would be dealing damage to 2 Forwards.

Looking for Kain?

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Senior Chief Engineer

Cid Pollendina (2-057C)

“(D): Your opponent shows his/her hand.”

Need to take a look at what your opponent has in store?

Cid here will let you take a look, Best part is you can use it once per turn.

You’ll never be in the dark again.

 

 

Cid Pollendina (5-056H)

“When Cid Pollendina enters the field, your opponent reveals his/her hand.

If Cid Pollendina deals damage to a Forward of cost 5 or more, increase the damage by 4000 instead.

If Cid Pollendina is dealt damage by a Forward of cost 5 or more, reduce the damage by 4000 instead.”

Almost like the Opus II Cid, but this Cid let’s you take a look at your opponent’s hand when he enters the field.

Other than that, Cid is great against high cost Forwards. His attacks do more damage and the damage he takes is less.
Add that to the 8000 power he already has. I’d say it’s not a bad card.

Not great either.

Cid Pollendina (13-039C)

“EX BURST When Cid Pollendina enters the field, you may search for 1 Job Engineer Forward and add it to your hand.”

Let’s take a look at what we wrote when Opus XIII came out.

“I didn’t realize how many Cid’s there are. Or Engineers. At first glance, I thought this card would be so-so. There are 17 Engineers including Cid Haze. And, 11 Cids. 12 if you count Cindy.

You can probably put together an Engineer deck. And have Cid Haze attack to Activate all of your cards. It might work. Or a Cid Deck. Who wants to build a Cid deck.”

Well, yes. We’ll keep it like that.

We’ll finally try our hand at an Engineer deck.

Maybe.

Cid Pollendina (17-049C)

“When Cid Pollendina enters the field, you may search for 1 Category IV Forward and add it to your hand.”

This is probably the most Common Cid you’ll see on the field. (See what I did there?)

Mr. Pollendina comes in and searches for a FFIV Forward. And, we all like searching for cards, cause you get to grab what you need.

Grab that Wind Legend Cecil, and call it a day.