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Hidden Trial – By Water

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23-096C – Akpallu

Pay 1CP to draw a card.

Not bad, at all. If you don’t have anything going on in your hand, might as well play Akpallu to draw another card.

And after Akpallu is on the field, not doing anything, just sitting there, you can then use Akpallu to pay the cost for Fencer (XIII)’s ability and Break one of your opponent’s Forwards.

There are more cards that need another Monster to pay for the cost to use their ability.

I’d say Akpallu is a decent card.

23-097C – Altennia

A simple add-on to your Knight deck.

When a Knight attacks, Altennia gives a Forward +2000 power. Now what will happen when all of your Knights attack? You’ll be handing out +2000 power like candy on Halloween.

It’s like adding 200 horse power to your Knight engine.

 

 

 

23-098C – Alphinaud

Alphinaud is Alisae’s Backup, who will save her from the Break Zone in order to do whatever Alisaie has to do.

If we take Alisaie from Hidden Trials, it’s a pretty decent combo.

Once you have an Alisaie in your Break Zone, you’ll use Alphianaud’s ability and play Alisaie onto the field. Once Alisaie is on the field you can search for a card that has the same name as one of the cards in your Break Zone, and add it to your hand.

Yeah, that’s pretty much it.

Not bad.

23-099C – Urianger

Urianger is already flipping the cards to see what Scions he can find.

I mean yes, .. maybe . . not really.

Depends on what you’re playing.

You can pull this out if you’re drafting Hidden Trials and you’re trying to run Scions.

Other than that, there are far better Uriangers out there.

 

 

23-100L – Young Excenmille

Coming in with 5000 power, Young Excenmille surely loves his Crystals.

You’ll need a constant supply of Crystals to keep Young Excenmille well fed.

Feed him once and he cannot be chosen by your opponents abilities, and his Power will become 9000 until he is sent to the Break Zone.

Feed him once more along with a Water CP, and you can search for a Water Forward of cost 3 or less, and play them straight to the field.

I like it.

23-101C – Dancer

Last Chance to Dance.

Dancer, just like the rest of the Elemental, Class Action, 5 Backup plan, Backups is better played when Dancer is the 5th Backup that enters your field.

When he does, as the 5th Backup on your field, all of your opponent’s Forwards lose 4000 power.

You might break a couple if you’re lucky.

If not, Dancer just chooses one of your opponent’s Forwards, and they lose 2000 power.

23-102R – Gizamaluke

A Monster, the sort of searches for a Monster.

Gizamaluke, comes in and you reveal the top 3 cards of your deck, and grab a Monster, if you find one there. If you do, you just got a Gizamaluke for Free.

Gizamaluke also turns into a Forward if you have another Monster on the field. Technically you can get a 0CP Forward with an 8K body.

 

 

 

23-103C – Quina

My Bombs will get that much stronger.

Because once per turn, whenever a Monster enters the field, I get to draw a card. Doesn’t matter whose turn it is. If a Monster enters the field you get to draw 1 card.

And let’s not forget about the Frog Drop. (Just don’t catch them all, cause then they can’t reproduce and you won’t be able to get 99 frogs.) Once Frog Drop goes off, 1 Forward will lose 3000 power for each Monster that is on the board.

How many Quina’s can you fit in your deck?

23-104H – Witch of the Fens

Here’s a decent card for your Monster deck.

Witch of the Fens comes in, and if you already have a Monster on the field, you can draw a card.

And, let’s not forget about that ability.

Put a Monster in the Break Zone, and one of your opponent’s Forwards will lose 7000 power until the end of the turn.

How many Monsters do you have in that hand of yours?

23-105C – Defender

What there’s no Water SOLDIER Candidate? All we get is a cheap knockoff? And, I was looking forward to making a 6 elemental SOLDIER Candidate deck. Guess I can’t do that now.

*shrugs

Defender can probably be played on his own. No need for the other SOLDIER Candidates. (But, the other ones could be played in their respective element as well.) As before, if you have at least 2 Standard Units in your Break Zone, SOLDI.. . I mean Defender gains +3000 power.

2CP/8K, the true definition of a cheap Meat Shield. And, we mean that in a good way.

Meat Shield here, also does not receive any damage that is less than it’s power. He’ll take a beating and you still won’t be able to get rid of him.

23-106H – Tataru

Tataru pays for Tataru during your next turn.

As long as you have another 3 Scions of the Seventh Dawn on the field, you’ll be able to dull Tataru for an extra card.

And, that is pretty much it. Don’t like your hand? Dull Tataru and hope for the best.

 

 

 

 

23-107L – Frimelda

Frimelda should just get thrown in your Warrior of Light deck.

It’s as simple as that, and if I needed to tell you that, well … You’re Welcome.

This card is pretty straight “Forward”. (No, that just came out, i didn’t think of that.)

You’ll need at least 4 different elements on the field in order to make use of Frimelda. Water can be the 4th element you play when she comes in, and her ability will go off as soon as you enter your Attack Phase. It will also trigger when your opponent goes into their Attack Phase as well.

Double Trouble.

You can either play a Forward that costs 4CP or less onto the field, or you can have one of your opponent’s Forwards lose 2000 power for each element that is on your board.

Choice is yours, bulk up your defenses, or get rid of theirs.

23-108R – Fourchenault

Who would have thunk that Fourchenault would cost Four CP? And, if you have Alisaie and Alphinaud on the field Fourchenault is a Free Play!

Fourchenault’s Enter the Field abilities are great and decent. One is better than the other, but the other has it’s use as well.

First one, return one of your opponent’s Forwards to their hand. Which is good, getting rid of a Forward, even if temporarily is always good. As long as they don’t have an enter the field ability.

The other is Activate a Scion of the Seventh Dawn.

And, when all is said and done, you’ll have an 8K body on the board.

23-109C – Portia

The more I see new Dancers the more I ponder the idea of making a deck. Yes, let’s add one more to the list of decks that I will never make.

For a Common, Portia is a great card. First of all she pays for herself, as if you already have a couple Dancers on the field, you will draw a card. You’ll have a no cost 5K body on the field ready to go to work.

And if you have 4 Dancers on the field, You’ll be able to send one of your opponent’s Forward to the bottom of their deck.

Let’s make Mayakov proud.

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.

2-111C/15-123C – Oracle

It’s straight from the (Re)printers!

And, a Copy/Paste from Dawn of Heroes.

“Didn’t we say recycling center earlier? Maybe we meant the Printers, reprinting cards and such.

Not that I have anything against reprints, I just would rather have a new card that does something similar instead of having reprints.

Anyways, Oracle gives you a Crystal when she comes in, and reduces the next damage dealt to a Forward by 1000.”

2-112H – Young Rahal

Rahal! Where are those Crystals!? Young Excenmille is hungry for those Crystals.

And, that is his job. Feed Yound Excenmille to bring out more Water Forwards onto the field.

How is Younf Rahal going to feed Young Exenmille? You gain 2 Crystals when he enters the field.

And that’s not all. When Young Rahal enters the field or attacks, all your Water Forwards gain +2000 power.

Combine this with Palom and Porom, and you have a decent front line, for almost half the cost.

23-113R – Leviathan

Finally, there is a way to get the one card you needed that ended up in the Damage Zone.

Not only that, but Leviathan let’s you draw a card as well. Only downside would be that you have to return another card back to the Damage Zone, but you probably have a card you don’t need in your hand.

This is one of the better cards in this set.

Leviathan is your insurance policy.

 

23-114R – Lilisette

“A live wire, barely a beginner
But just watch that lady go
She’s on fire, ’cause dancin’ gets her higher
Than anything else she knows”

David Lee Roth, might have been singing about Lilisette, and I wouldn’t blame him.

Lilisette comes in and searches for a Dancer, cause well, it takes 2 to Tango. And, that also comes off as an EX Burst.

Other than that, you have Rousing Samba. An ability that gives all of your Forwards +2000 power, and all of your opponent’s Forwards lose 2000 power, tilting the dance floor in your favor. At least until the end of the turn.

But, that turn can be a Break or Make moment.

The only thing that I would change with this card is the art.

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Hidden Hope – Breathing Hope?

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22-037R – Alexander

Oh?
I read this card wrong the first time I read it.

Now that I’m looking at it, this is a great card. Alexander comes in and casts reflect on one of your Forwards, sending that damage to one of your opponent’s Forwards instead. The best thing is that you get to choose the Forward, rather than have it randomly chosen when the damage hits.

And, if you only paid with Backups to cast Alexander, you will also draw a Card, making Alexander a 1 cost Summon.

I’ll gladly add this Alexander to a Wind deck. Probably the best Alexander yet.

22-038C – Wol

Wol has 2 abilities, one which is good, and the other is ok.

The first one will allow you to choose a High cost Forward and send it to the Break Zone. The other allows you to look at the top 5 cards of your deck and add a Wind Character to your hand.

You’ll most likely be playing this card to get rid of that High cost Forward.

I don’t got much else for this.

 

22-039C – Epiornis

This is a Common?

I have to say this is a great card, and at 2 CP it is the perfect monster to have on the field, once you get 3 points of damage.

Why is that?

Well, Epiornis becomes a Forward during your turn. And, Epiornis cannot be bloced by a Forward with a cost of 4CP. That in itself is great. But, if you already have received 3 points of damage, Epiornis cannot be blocked by a Forward of 3CP or less. Thus, making Epiornis unstoppable.

The only way that you can stop Epiornis’s attack, is by a Summon or ability that will deal it damage, or by sending it straight to the Break Zone.

Now, imagine if you have 3 of these on the field.

22-040H – Enkidu

A 3 cost Warrior that will activate 3 of your Backups when he enters the field. Thus making Enkidu a free play.

After that he’ll stick around as a 7K power body, attacking and blocking like he normally would.

This card also sticks to the story, allowing Gilgamesh to call on him when he enters the field. Enkidu must be in the Break Zone when Gilgamesh enters the field. Then you’ll pay 2CP and bring Enkidu in, while activating 3 Backups.

Gilgamesh (7-088L) would be a great choice. You’ll end up only paying 1CP for both Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

You don’t even need to play Wind/Lightning, you can just throw in Enkidu since you won’t need to pay by color if Enkidu is in the Break Zone.

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.

22-042C – Ranger

Your Standard 2 cost Backup.

Ranger is straight to the point, just like his arrows fly straight towards their target.

Or something like that.

Ranger has 2 abilities. One deals a 2CP Forward 5000 damage, possibly breaking it, and the other breaks a Monster.

Both of these are useful.

And, there aren’t that many ways to get rid of Monsters and Ranger here provides you with a way.

22-043C – Clavat

Simple, basic and straight to the point.

Clavat comes in for 1CP and allows you to look at the top card of your deck. If you like it you can keep it there. If not send it to the bottom of your deck.

It does have plenty of benefits.

Depending on what you see there, your game plan will change for this turn.

Do you see an EX Burst that will cause plenty of damage to your opponent. Leave it there and take a point of Damage. Do you see the card you need to put your plan into motion, play that card that allows you to draw a card.

Worst case is that you don’t like the card, and you can just recycle it to the bottom.

22-044R – Cid (FFBE)

Cid has an ability that activates during very Attack Phase, which is something that makes Cid even more valuable as the game goes on.

You can either Activate 2 Characters, or you can grant all of your Forwards protection from all Summons that choose them.
4CP isn’t alot to pay to Activate a couple of Characters once per turn. Plus you get an 8k body that will be hard to get rid of. Because, once Cid is put into the Break Zone, you can pay 3CP and return Cid to the field. That’s cheaper than playing Cid from your hand.

I like this one.

22-045C – Sosha

4 cost Dragoon that turns into a 2CP Forward if you have a Dragoon already on the field.

2CP for an 8k body isn’t bad at all.

Sosha can also throw her spear onto a Forward of your choosing, dealing it 4000 damage. Best thing is that you don’t need to send her to the Break Zone in order to do it. Just dull Sosha and you’ll be dealing 4000 damage.

This is a decent card. Simple, effective and straight to the point.

If you’re playing Dragoons, you should try adding Sosha.

22-046R – Chelinka

Chelinka here to give Yuri some support, granting him Haste. You’ll just need another Crystal Chronicles Character on the field when you play Yuri, so you’ll have a total of 3 FFCC Characters on the field.

Other than that, that is it.

2CP, 5000 power.

 

 

22-047L – Dorgann

The Art of Removal.

Dorgann, has three different abilities that activate when he enters the field, and yes, you guessed it, they all are removal abilities.

Remove a Forward, Remove a Monster, Remove 2 cards from the Break Zone.

You’ll get to choose one of those abilities to activate. But, if you already played another 2 cards before you play Dorgann, you’ll get to use 2 of these abilities instead.

Meaning that you will probably end up paying only 2CP for Dorgann to come into play.

22-048H – Nanaa Mihgo

Yes, Yes, Yes.

I’ll take 3. I’d take more if I would be able to add more to my deck.

Nanaa Mihgo is a Robber, and she’s here to rob some of your cards and use those same cards against you.

That 2 cost Forward in their Break Zone? Check.

The 3 cost Summon in their Break Zone? Check as well.

You won’t even need to pay for the cost either, they just come into play as soon as Nanna Mihgo comes into the field.

Actually, no you don’t want this card. I’ll give you a dollar for your Full Arts. No? It was worth a try.

22-049H – Bartz

Well, Bartz if you’re not in a Warrior of Light deck, you shall be useless. The only thing you’ll have going for you would be a 5000 power body on the field just hanging around with nothing to do.

But, if you are playing a Warrior of Light deck, he becomes a little bit better.

Bartz has the ability to not be chosen by your opponents abilities, if you remove 3 Warrior of Light Characters from your Break Zone, and it lasts until the end of the turn.

The other ability, is the S ability, where you can pay the cost of a card, then you can search for it and play it onto the field. Which is pretty good. You’ll be able to play any Warrior of Light card in your deck straight to the field.

22-050C – Geomancer

Here we are, a decent Standard Unit Forward.

I like this one.

Geomancer has auto protection from your opponent’s abilities. Not all of them just the ones that can choose Geomancer.
And, if you already have a couple of Standard Unit Backups on the field, you get to Activate 3 of your Backups. Which in turn will make Geomancer a 1 cost Forward with an 8k body.

Can’t get much better than that.

22-051R – Hope

Hope is hidden in Hidden Hope.

You would have thought that he would have been on the box art.

Hope comes in and you get to reveal the top 4 cards of your deck, and grabbing a FFXIII Forward from there. If you don’t find one, they all go to the bottom of your deck.

At 2CP that isn’t bad at all. You might get a free play, if you do find a FFXIII Forward there.

And, if you ever needed a way to get rid of a high powered Forward, Hope here is your answer. With Aeroga, you can Break a Forward with at least 9000 power. And, we do have a more than enough targets for Aeroga.

22-052H – Helena Leonis

Helena Leonis was turning into a great Character, and then I stopped playing War of the Visions.

As we can see she is a Green Mage as well. Although she doesn’t have any attacking spells or abilities, she does allow you to look at the top 2 cards of your deck. One is put at the bottom of your deck, the other is removed from the game.

Now, why would you want to pay a Crystal to look at the top 2 cards of your deck, remove 1 and place the other at the bottom of your deck?

Well, the card you removed, you can cast it this turn for it’s cost minus 2 CP.

You might get a free play, which is always good in my book.

22-053C – Lilisette EX

“Put on your red shoes and dance the blues,
To the song they’re playing on the radio”

And, while we’re dancing Lilisette will come into the field, and deal one of your opponent’s Forwards 1000 damage for each Character you control. Forwards, Backups, and Monsters. Anything goes, Tonight.

You’ll most likely break something with Lilisette.

And, if you find a way to bounce her. You can do even more damage.

Let’s not forget this also comes off as an EX Burst.

22-054R – Reddas

Are Sky Pirates making a comeback? Yes, I’m basing this off of this one card, because Reddas is pretty good, and he’s not even a Legend, or a Hero.

If you have 5 Sky Pirates already on the field, Reddas is a free 9k Body, that will grant all of your other Sky Pirates some protection from Summons.

Your opponent will sure have some trouble trying to get rid of this one.

And, that’s all I need to say here, If you’re playing Sky Pirates, you better be playing Reddas.

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Beyond Destiny – Twistin’ Turbulence

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21-041C – Evil Weapon

Doesn’t look that evil. Evil Weapon looks like he belongs in the hit movie “Ghoulies”.

If you haven’t watched it, you should. If you like 80’s horror movies that aren’t actually that scary.

Let’s see now. Evil Weapon cost a a whole whopping 1CP. And, for what it does is pretty cheap. I know some people just play certain cards just to gain a Crystal. And Evil Weapon here, will give you a Crystal, and also deal 4000 damage to one of your opponent’s Forwards.

Evil Weapon, is more like a side weapon, a pistol to your shotgun. If your Forward doesn’t Break your opponent’s Forward, just use this Evil Weapon to finish it off.

21-042H – Vaan

If you’re playing Mono-Wind, Vaan could be of some use. As he’ll be a free Forward, if you already have 7 Wind Characters on the field.

If not he costs a whopping 7CP to play a Forward with 9000 power.

Not much to say about this one. I’ll probably just leave it on the side to gather dust.

But, not all is bad.

If you already cast 3 cards, you draw a card. So, you might come up with +2CP.

But, is it really worth it?

21-043C – Viera

Now this is a decent card as well.

Play Viera onto the field and grab one of the top 2 cards of your deck. The other one goes to the bottom of your deck.
And when Viera is active on the field, you can dull Viera and do it once again.

3CP for a Backup with a great ability.

You can’t go wrong with Viera.

 

21-044C – Dancer

Technically, this is a free card.

A 4CP Forward, that gets reduced to 2CP if you already have a Dancer on the field. And if you paid the cost with a couple of Backups, you can choose to activate those Backups, by Dancer’s ability. Which goes off once she enters the field.

That brings us to a total of 0CP.

Not bad for an 8000 power Forward.

 

21-045C – Princess Goblin

This is the kind of Backup that everyone likes. A searcher.

Princess Goblin enters the field and allows you to search for a Warrior of Light, or a Princess Sarah.

She comes in does her job, and hopefully gets your board to where you need it to be.

If not, well, at least she’ll provide a Crystal Point once per turn.

 

21-046C – Cid (II)

Cid is here staring at you to make sure that you’re going to play this card.

And, as long as you have cards that can warp in, there’s a 94.38762% chance that you will. Yes, this conclusion came off of extended research and as of December, 5th 2023, this is accurate. It might not be in the next hour or so, but we’re sticking to our research. And stuff.

Cid (II) comes in and you’re searching for a card that Warps.

You Warp that card right away.

Next turn, you’ll be sending Cid to the Break Zone, in order to speed up the Warp process.

Simple, and effective.

I like it.

21-047C – Summoner

Summoner summons a Summon.

Well, that’s what Summoners are supposed to do.

Once Summoner comes in, you get to grab a Wind Summon from your deck.

And, Every time that you cast a Summon, Summoner gains +2000 power. From how I’m reading it, you can cast a couple of Summons and keep stacking that +2000 power on top of the other. Plus. it’s a Standard Unit so you can have 3 of these on the board at any time.

Combine this with Meia (16-123L) and you have a reduced Summon cost. Add in plenty of low cost Summons and you’ll have 3 Summoners who serve as Meat Shields, or attackers.

Meat Shield just sounds better.

21-048L – Princess Sarah

Look no further. If you needed a way to keep Feolthanos on the board, so he can see EX Bursts, Princess Sarah can help you out.

Once per turn you can choose a Forward and that Forward cannot be chosen by EX Bursts.

After that, just dull and discard a Princess to make the next damage dealt to it 0.

Now, you don’t need to have Feolthanos, but I’d say you play these cards together.

 

21-049R – Sarah (Mobius)

Yes, she gives a +1K buff to all of your Forwards.

Yes, she is a 2 cost Backup.

Yes, she is probably good for draft.

No, I will not be playing this card, actually maybe I will.

I would have said to just go ahead and play Opus I Maria, for 3CP and the same buff to all of your Forwards, but what’s stopping you from playing both at the same time.

I started thinking this card wasn’t that great, it’s decent, but I started changing my mind the more I started writing about it.

I might give it a shot.

21-050H – Sophia (SOPFFO)

For a second there I read that Biker Mage.

You can throw Sophia and Summoner in the same deck. Both grab Summons, and when a Summon is cast they both have abilities that can go off.

Sophia here will deal 5000 damage to a Forward when you cast a Summon. Sure, you can only use this once, as you’ll have to dull Sophia, but that 5k can help out. Especially if the Summon you cast has dealt some damage to a Forward but not enough to Break it.

I wouldn’t call this a Hero, more like a Rare.

21-051R – Tiamat

Chocobos are going to make a comeback, just you watch.

I’m just saying that cause I can’t think of another Mono-Wind deck at the moment.

If you are playing Mono-Wind, you will be playing Tiamat. 4CP/8K body, throw in Opus 1 Maria and a bunch of Chocobos, and you have an unstoppable beast.

Hey, that’s pretty much what Tiamat is.

 

21-052R – Niini

This isn’t bad, especially for the cost.

1CP allows you to look at the top card of your deck. If you like what you see, you can keep it there. If not send that card to the bottom of your deck.

If you cast at least 3 cards this turn, you can grab that card, or grab the next one if you already sent it to the bottom of your deck.

Good thing about this is if you can check to see if you have an EX Burst coming up. If you do you can leave it there and when you take Damage you’ll know that you’ll have a surprise for your opponent.

21-053L – Balthier

Even though I’ll probably never play a Sky Pirates deck. This is a great card.

You can probably just throw it in any Mono-Wind deck, and you’ll do great.

Because every time a Wind Character comes in, you’ll be dealing 3000 damage to one of your opponents Forwards. And 3000 is enough to Break some Forwards, and then I’m sure you’ll have a way or two to finish them off.

Now if you’re playing Sky Pirates, Balthier will be able to Activate all of your Characters once per turn. Right at that moment when you get into your Main Phase 2, you can discard a Sky Pirate and have Balthier’s ability go off, and you’re left with a bunch of active Characters, ready to block, and what not.

21-054H – Pandemonium

And, here I thought this was a Backup.

For 2CP this is great card. Summon comes in and if you played a couple of cards this turn Pandemonium will deal 5000 damage to one of your opponent’s high cost Forwards, and Pandemonium searches for a high cost Forward for you.
If Pandemonium is the first card you played, you can pick one or the other.

Still great for 2CP.

 

21-055H – Penelo

These Sky Pirates just keep getting better and better.

Kind of wants me to make a Sky Pirate deck.

Penelo, a 2CP/5000 power Forward. that activates 2 Characters when she enters the field, as long as you have at least 2 Sky Pirates already on the field.

The best part is that when Penelo is sent to the Break Zone you can grab a 3 cost Sky Pirate from your Break Zone and add it to your hand. I think Balthier would be the perfect card to pick.

21-056R – Galeserpent General Najelith

Here we have the pixelated 3d graphics of FFXI. Even though this was on the PS2, the graphics look like they came from the FFVII era. Enough of the art.

It’s actually not that bad of a card.

Galeserpent General Najelith’s cost can be reduced by 2 if you already have a couple of Wind Characters on the field. Thus making her, a 2 cost Forward with 8000 power.

She cannot be chosen by your opponent’s abilities, giving her protection from that, and you can dull her and deal a Forward 4000 damage. This is where Penelo and Balthier come in.

Dull, 4000 damage, activate, Dull, 4000 damage, activate, dull, 4000 damage.

That’s 12,000 damage right there.

21-057R – Fran

Can’t go wrong with 1CP.

Especially since Fran grants protection to Balthier.

And, if Fran is in the Break Zone, you can play Balthier and grab Fran from the Break Zone and play her onto the field. At the small cost of 1 Wind Crystal Point.

Now I kinda, want to see what Balthier does.

 

21-058C – Machina

Finally a Machina that has synergy with your Type-0 Cadets.

And at only 2CP this is a great card.

If you have at least 2 Cadets on the field, Machina has 8000 power, Haste and Machina cannot be chosen by your opponent’s Summons.

Let’s not forget Armor Break, if you need to you can break a high cost Forward.

I do like it. It’s probably time to dust off that old Cadets deck and see what happens when we add Machina.

21-059C – Dragoon

Play Dragoon early, as your second or third Backup. As, that’s when you’ll get the most value from Dragoon.

Once he comes in you’ll gain a Crystal, and if you have 3 or less Backups on the field you get to draw a card. Which makes Dragoon cost a total of 1CP.

And, that is all. Simple, effective and straight to the point.

Not much else going on here.

 

21-060R – Rikku EX

Most of these Wind cards work well together.

Rikku here is another example of why you should be playing Mono-Wind.

When she enters the field, you’ll reveal the top card of your deck, and since it’s a Wind card, and you’re playing Mono-Wind you’ll just go ahead and add that card to your hand.

This also activates as an EX Burst when you get that point of damage, and Rikku pops her head.

And at 3 points of damage, Rikku gains +2000 power making her a 7000 power Forward.

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From Nightmares – Howling Winds

19-035R – Alexander

Free for a limited time only. The Wind Forward you played this turn has paid for the Summon.

If you think about it you can actually play 3 in a row, if you have them in your hand.

The choice is yours on what Alexander will do. Break a high cost Forward, or Break a Monster and draw 1 card.

Doesn’t a Hope search for Alexander? Can’t remember which one, but there’s your free play right there.

19-036L – Vayne

A what now?

Your warp speed has just gotten faster.

Prepare Ship for Ludicrous Speed!!!

Cause that’s how fast we’ll be traveling with Vayne.

When he enters the field or at the beginning of each of your turns, Vayne will be removing Warp counters from Characters that are Warping.

Have the Characters will get Warp in by the next turn or 2, and before you know it, they’ll be on the board and have all their abilities going off, you won’t know which way anything is heading.

I’ll take 3, thank you very much.

19-037R – Wol

Wol is now acting a Furr …. I mean Cosplayer.

Wearing the Moogle Suit, and depending on how many Elements are in your field. Wol will allow you to search for a Multi-Element Forward.

I don’t really see much going for this card other than the fact that he can pay for the other Wol’s S-ability.

 

 

19-038R – Evrae

I remember playing this card at Pre-Release.

Evrae allows you to activate a Backup you control, and with Zu that will turn into a Forward when one of your Characters Activates, this is a good play. As activating Backups is always a good thing.

 

 

 

19-039R – Emerald Weapon

Emerald Weapon was much easier to beat than Ruby Weapon. If you had Knights of the Round Maxed out with W-Summon, you didn’t even need to have the Underwater Materia.

This 5CP Wind Forward with 9000 power will be a nightmare as your opponent won’t be able to keep him off the field, as he’ll be able to keep coming back for 1CP. Only way to break him is by blocking his attack.

Emerald Big Bang, is a high cost S-ability that can deal up to 10,000 damage to all of your opponents Forwards.
I think I like it. I’ll have to try it out though, see how well it works.

19-040C – Thief

Just your Common Thief, but a pretty good one.

Won’t take damage from your opponents abilities. This 4 cost has an 8K body, which is pretty high for a thief, but we’re not complaining.

The reason you’ll want to play this card is because, if you pay for Thief with at least 3 elements, your opponent will put the top 3 cards of their deck into the Break Zone.

Do that 3 times, and you might be able to make your opponent run out of cards.

19-041H – Cid Highwind

I mean this is very interesting. I haven’t checked yet, but I’m sure it’ll be in plenty of FFVII decks.

Cid Highwind, allows you to return an FFVII Character to your hand, and let’s you choose 2 Characters to Activate.

I’m sure there are plenty of Category FFVII entry abilities that you’d like to use at least once per turn. Like the Ice Sephiroth in this set. If you can send him to your hand once per turn, and you’re at 6 points of damage, you’ll be able to play Sephiroth at no cost, while activating 2 of your Characters.

I mean, it could work. It could work perfectly.

I like it.

19-042C – White Mage

Although the art has been reused, I’m pretty sure some other art has been reused as well in previous Opuses? Opera? Opi?
Well at 3 points of Damage, White Mage is a free play. And once he’s in you can use his ability to bring back a Multi-Element Forward from the Break Zone.

White Mage has one job and he does it well.

Cast Revive on a broken Character.

 

19-043C – Zu

Well, this monster does seem to fit well with Wind.

Considering that Wind usually has a way to reactivate Character’s with Summons and abilities.

Zu is a monster that will most likely become a Forward whenever a Character reactivates. Zu is more of a Backup Forward, than a Monster as he can come out in a pinch and either attack or block. Whichever one is needed at the moment.

Maybe it’ll see play, maybe it won’t.

I’m caught somewhere in the middle here.

19-044R – Sarah (MOBIUS)

Another Sarah, but this one is a Backup and not a Legend.

The Raven Peeress gives all your Category MOBIUS Forward +1000 power.

I always like these cards as they give your whole front line a boost.

 

 

 

19-045H – Sophie

Sophie has no use for Vayne, she is a Freelancer she works independently regardless of Faction. I don’t know where I’m going with this.

But, for 4 CP and 3 other Forwards on the field, Sophie can well become a danger to your opponent. If only for a turn.
Break a Monster, activate all your Backups, and give Sophie +2K power and Haste.

She can also come in with Warp, in which you will only pay 1CP for her, and you will wait for only 1 turn.

Maybe we do need Vayne. She’ll come in during your opponents turn and cause some damage. She will also Activate all your Backups, so you will be able to cast Summons and abilities as well, in order to protect yourself.

Yes, I’ll take it. 3 please and 3 Vaynes just to be on the safe side.

19-046C – Buddy

A searcher for FFX Backups. Why search for Backups? Cause you always need more Backups.

One thing is for sure. If you’re playing a FFX deck you’ll be playing Buddy. If only to search for Brother, to search for Opus XVI Tidus. Cause who isn’t playing that card.

 

 

 

19-047C – Gramps EX

This is the card you’ll want to hold on to the end. Or to your end. And when you do have those 5 points of Damage, you probably aren’t going to have this card on hand. You’ll have 3 copies in your Break Zone.

If you do manage to grab a copy when the time is right, Gramps will Break a Forward of 4CP or more.

 

 

19-048C – Bartz

Don’t know what to play, just play Bartz. That way on your next turn, you can put him at the bottom of your deck, and hopefully draw the cards you really need. If not, play Buddy to search for a FFX Backup that will find Tidus.

 

 

 

 

19-049R – Makki-Chebukki

This is actually very interesting.

Makki-Chebukki will cause your opponent to discard the top card of their deck. Once per turn.

Think about it. If you have Makki-Chebukki on the field from turn 1, every turn that goes by, your opponent will be putting their top card in the Break Zone.

That means they might be losing all the cards that they’ll need in order to make their game plan work. That and they’ll have less cards to play with, and will run out of cards faster.

19-050C – Matoya

If you have the extra CP Matoya might be a good play.

You’ll be able to Break a Forward when she enters the field. It’ll turn a pesky big body into a smaller body, that likely will not be able to block a big body of your own. If that makes any sense.

She might be a good addition to a Dancer deck. Are there enough Dancer’s to make one?

There are 12 Job Dancers and 6 of them are Penelo, 2 are Matoya and another 2 are Lilisette. After that there are 8 generic Dancers which can round up your deck. If any one makes one let me know so I can check it out.

19-051C – Rikku

So, many Rikkus, but only one on the field.

Depending on what you’re playing this one isn’t bad. It’s not great, but for what she does, she does it good.

Rikku can produce any element when paying for a Category X card. Which is always a good thing. This cards biggest problem is that it’s Rikku. You could have named this card Generic NPC from FFX and it would have been 10 times better. Simply for the fact that you can play a Rikku and this card at the same time.

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Resurgence of Power – Mixing Elements

18-107L – Akstar

A is for Akstar, and he learned the 3-step. I was surprised myself but it’s true. Akstar can dance the Waltz. Just look at all those 3s.

First off Akstar comes in and Dull/Freezes all the Forwards, including your own, that don’t cost 3CP.

When he comes in you can also play a 3 cost Ice or Fire Forward onto the field.

And when he attacks or enters the field you deal 1 Forward 3000 damage for all the 3 cost Forwards that you control.
That’s a whole lot of 3s. Even Akstar himself costs 3CP.

Are we getting new deck ideas, where every card in your hand costs 3CP? Can it work? Someone make this happen.

18-108H – Caius

It seems like Caius cards always have a drawback to them.

Sure, you can get a 2 cost 9K body, but you’ll have to discard your hand when he enters the field.

What can we do then?

Just play your whole hand, and then play Caius last.

Let’s look at his abilities. Whenever Caius attacks, you can either have your opponent discard a card, or double the damage Caius deals either to a Forward or your opponent.

He also comes in with Brave. I might have to try this card out and see how it works.

18-109C – Snow

Snow allows you to possibly cast an extra XIII card, when he enters the field and each time he attacks. Though, you’re not drawing the card, you’re actually removing it from the game, and if you don’t cast it this turn, you will lose it.

You basically have a 50/50 chance of casting or removing.

And, at 3 points of damage, Snow gains Haste and +3000 power.

 

 

18-110H – Xande

Ok, so, we’ll be playing Xande towards the end of our turn. Trying to get as many cards in the Break Zone so we can deal 9000 damage to as many Forwards as we possibly can. 4CP will already be 2 Characters. And if you play any other cards before hand, count those Characters as well.

You can also play Xande from the Break Zone, for the cost of 2CP and 5 Backups. Is it worth it? or are you better off just playing Xande from your hand?

Those 5 Backups are 5 Forwards that you can deal damage to.

 

18-111L – Basch

The question is, Is it worth 1 point of damage to search for a Fire or Earth Character?

I’m sure there are plenty of other cards that will search for the card that you’re looking for, without getting a point of damage.

3 points of damage, Basch gains +1000 power and Brave.

5 points of damage, when Basch attacks you deal 8000 damage to 1 Forward.

You do have an incentive to receive that 1 point of damage. Early on it might be a good idea to use it, but later on I would pass.

Or you can just not pay the extra cost, and play Basch as is.

18-112C – Leon

It looks like more and more cards are dealing you a point of damage.

Just how backed up to the wall do you want to be?

Sure, some cards excel when you’re fighting everything off at 6 points of damage, but why would you need to get there in order to hope that you win.

Anyways, Leon here comes in with Brave.

 

18-113H – Cid Haze

Cid comes in and gives you the ammunition to use his ability on the same turn that he comes in. Reducing the cost of casting your next card by 2. It doesn’t say it cannot become 0, so your next card could be free. After that you play 1 more card.

Once you’ve played your third card, and enter your Attack Phase, you choose 2 of your opponents Characters and you dull and Freeze them.

Farewell to the Blockers that your opponent has set up. At least for this turn.

 

18-114C – Maria

I would be trying to get Maria onto the field as soon as possible. And then just trying to find a way to send her to the Break Zone.

Worst thing that could happen is you block a Forward and your opponent discards a card.

Or, you block a Forward and activate all your Characters. Win/Win

 

 

18-115L – Melvien

I would put Melvien in the same category as Opus XVI Tidus. Even if she is put in the Break Zone, your opponent will never really be able to truly get rid of her.

Every time Melvien is put into the Break Zone, you can simply remove her from the game and put 2 Warp Counters on her. 2 turns later she comes back into the field.

And, every time she enters the field, you can Activate 2 of your Backups and Freeze up to 2 of your opponents Backups.
Not much else to say, but I like this card.

 

18-116L – Sephiroth

Kingdom Hearts Sephiroth is back. And, once again with Back Attack.

No, I didn’t plan that.

Sephiroth is coming, and he has entered Attack Mode. One Winged Angel, Demi-God, and whatever else you’d like to add.
When Sephiroth enters the field he Breaks 1 dull Forward.

And every time he attacks, your opponent will either discard 1 card, or you can Break a Forward of cost 2 or less.
Sephiroth will be leaving bodies left and right.

18-117H – Lightning

The Savior is here. For your deck, not your opponents.

Lightning comes in with Haste and starts attacking left and right, dulling, Breaking and dealing damage across the board leaving no Forward unscathed.

Well, that’s what we’re hoping for.

Every time Lightning attacks, you can pay 1CP to dull a Forward, and then pay 2CP to Break a dull Forward. Which in itself is a good reason to play this card.

I shall be trying out this card. At some point.

And if you don’t want to attack, you can use Lightning’s 3rd ability and have your opponent discard a card.

18-118C – Laguna

High cost to play Laguna, but he might be worth it.

When Laguna enters the field or attacks you can a) Deal an active Forward 5000 damage. or b) Dull a Forward.

I’m thinking there are plenty of cards that can chip away at multiple Forwards, chip damage is making a comeback. Or, maybe I’m just beginning to notice it. I can see FFVIII decks becoming stronger. Ever since Opus XVI. And now with Seifer, Fujin and Raijin, there should be plenty to play with.

Let’s not forget Satellite Laser. Well nothing to crazy, but you can deal 9000 damage to a Forward.

18-119C – Chelinka

Need to break some of these new Monsters that came out this set? Look no further than Chelinka. Chelinka Breaks a Monster when she enters the field.

You can throw her in the new Noctis deck and you’re set.

 

 

 

18-120H – Tifa

Tifa comes in a has Protect already cast on her, reducing the damage dealt to her by 2000. And, that’s a good thing. For when Tifa enters the field she goes 1-on-1 with another Forward. You can choose any Forward you would like.

Meteor Strike, is also pretty good in itself. You are able to deal 8000 damage to 3 Forwards. Cost might be a little high, but it can be worth it.

 

 

18-121L – Fran

I think I said earlier that Sky Pirates will be making a comeback. (Not in this post, probably in Wind.) And, Fran here proves it. Whenever Fran attacks, or enters the field, you can play a FF XII Character of cost 4 or less from your hand onto the field. And, Fran only costs 3CP!

Think about it, you’ll be able to build your offense faster than what you would have. A free card once per turn.

And if Balthier is on the field, Fran gains +1000 power and Brave.

Yes, I shall try out a Sky Pirate deck, all thanks to Fran.

Thank you, Fran.

18-122H – Vanille

2 cost Forward that can cancel an auto-ability. We can never have to many cards like this. Vanille is more of an insurance card. I don’t think you’d be attacking with Vanille unless you knew the attack will go through. But, you’re better off just keeping her active, in order to dull her, when an auto-ability goes off.

Sure, it won’t out right cancel it, your opponent will need to pay an extra 2CP for it to go through.

And when you’re done with Vanille, you can just chuck her to the Break Zone to grab a Backup.

18-123L – Sonon EX

Getting rid of your own Backups is always a plus. Especially when they come in do their on entry ability and then do nothing, but sit around.

Sonon comes in and allows you to remove 2 Backups instead of paying the cost. After that you can replay 2 new Backups and hopefully get another on entry ability.

He can also come in with Back Attack, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody actually use Back Attack, but you can. You can even remove the 2 Backups during your opponents turn.

Sonon also comes in with an EX Burst, hopefully helping your Forward that is blocking or attacking overcome the other Forward.

I can see some use with Sonon.

18-124C – Billy Bob

Billy Bob comes in and let’s you grab a Forward from the Break Zone. Any Forward. Doesn’t have to be a certain Job, Element, or Category. A little different than Search your deck, but will still see plenty of use.

Best part is that Billy Bob is a Common.

After that Billy Bob just hangs out on the field with an 8K body.

 

 

18-125H – Onion Knight

Onion Knight has a lot going on for him.

First off he enters the field and either Breaks a damaged Forward, or return’s a Forward to your opponents hand. Either way your getting rid of one of your opponent’s Forwards.

The best thing though, when Onion Knight is put into the Break Zone, you can pay 1CP and search for another Onion Knight and play it onto the field.

Very Ultros if you ask me.

 

18-126L – Lightning

Another card that doesn’t want to go away.

After Lightning is sent to the Break Zone, you can pay the 2CP, remove a Lightning and an Odin from the Break Zone and then you can play Lightning onto the field.

Sure, it’s the same cost as paying Lightning on to the field, but what if you don’t have a Lightning in your hand. This way you can just simply play her, straight from the Break Zone.

She also comes in with Haste, dulls a Forward when she enters and you draw 1 card.

What’s not to like?

18-127C – Lilisette

Some of these Commons are actually really good.

Take Lilisette her, she Breaks a low cost Forward when she enters the field.

After that she can dance. And, boy does she dance. Once she’s done with her Sensual Dance, your opponents Forwards will all be week at the knees, and will have lost some of there power. Some will have lost it all.

 

 

18-128H – Arciela

How many of your cards do you want to show your opponent?

Depending on the answer, you can either deal 7000 damage to a Forward, draw a card, or both.

But do you really want to show your opponent your hand just to cast the abilities?

I think I’ll take a pass on this one.

 

18-129C – Jecht

Jecht is just a Common, but we already said we have some good Commons this set. This is another one. Once he enters the field you can pay the extra cost and give Jecht Haste, Brave and First Strike. With the 9000 body he can lay waste to a Forward, or deal your opponent a point of damage.

We also have Jecht Beam, that deals a Forward 8000 damage.

Decent card.

 

18-130L – Firion

Low cost, low power. But, if you have at least 5 Characters on the field Firion, gains Haste and whenever he attacks you draw a card.

I don’t know if you’ll be attacking much with Firion, but you can discard a card and give him +2000 power. Depending on what element the card is you can either give Firion First Strike, or activate him.

Not the greatest Legend, but could see some use.