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Hidden Trials – Limit Break

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23-118H – Ardyn LB

The Chief Minister has grand plans.

Ardyn has found a way to bring himself back from the dead.

Simply put, when Ardyn enters the Break Zone, you can bring an Ardyn from your Limit Break deck onto the field.
The real question is, can you fill up your Limit Break deck with cards that aren’t LB? I doubt it, I’ll have to check out the rules to make sure.

This card is a turn 1 play.

As long as you have a Playset of Ardyns in your Limit Break deck, you’ll be good to go.

23-119R – Vincent LB

Well, Vincent looks like he’s ready to take on the Tsivets.

This is the Limit Break that Vincent starts the game off with, and that suggests that we will be getting the other 3 later on down the line.

Let’s take a look and see what Galian Beast does.

Vincent comes in with First Strike, and when he enters the field, you can throw a Fire Backup into the Break Zone, and deal one of your opponent’s Forwards 9000 damage. You’ll have a good chance at breaking it.

If my calculations are correct, we’ll soon have a Vincent deck equipped with all of his Limit Breaks. Might take a couple of years before we can get it, but it might be fun.

23-120R – Kuja LB

Kuja is a 5 cost Forward with 8000 power and the ability to get out of some of your opponent’s abilities, and maybe some of their Summons.

How?

It’s simple, you can just dull Kuja to Dull the Forward using that ability.

Dull/Freeze that Forward and your opponent will think twice before targeting Kuja.

 

23-121L – Cait Sith LB

Sometimes the first time you look at a card, you think it’s great.

then you look at it again and think, Huh? How is this a Legend.

It’s a decent card, don’t get me wrong, but Freezing all of your opponent’s Backups, and having them discard a card is not what I’d call Legend material.

On a side note, Cait Sith needs you to control 5 Backups in order for his ability to go off.

I’ll take a hard pass on this one.

23-122R – Cid Highwind LB

Roll of the dice. Or is it a flip of the cards?

Cid Highwind comes in on the Highwind, and gives you an airdrop right before he enters the field.

Flip three cards and if you find a Backup add it to your hand. If not well just put all the cards at the bottom of your deck. You might want to use Cid, when you only have 3 cards left. And, you better win before you run out of cards.

Is it worth playing?

Probably. You can just add it to your Limit Break deck, just so you have enough cards in it.

23-123 – Deathgaze LB

That’s a lot to pay to Break a Forward. And, that Forward also needs to be a certain cost in order for this to be effective.

There are 270 Forwards that cost 5CP. Yes, that’s a pretty big amount, but how many of those Forwards actually see play?
And there are only 2 Forwards that cost 10CP.

Unless Bhunivelze, and Garuda start seeing some play, i’d say it’s best to leave this card at home.

Odin (1-124R) costs 7CP and let’s you break any Forward you want.

23-124L – Eiko LB

Have you ever thought that you wish you had a certain Summon at a certain point of the game?

I’m sure you have, we’ve all had.

Well, Eiko here, is here to help you search for that Summon, and once you find it you can remove it from the game.

Not much help there, but once that Summon is removed from the game, you can cast it without paying the cost.

That’s a little bit better.

23-125R – Noctis LB

Even though Noctis costs 6CP, this is probably one of the better Limit Breaks.

Noctis allows you to grab a Forward from your Break Zone. Yes, there are plenty of cards that allow you to do this. The difference is that, you don’t need to rely on luck to draw the card that will grab a Forward from the Break Zone. Noctis is ready to go whenever you’d like, as long as you have the CP to pay for him.

Other than that, he’ll be a 7K body, lingering on the field.

.

23-126L – Edge

Are you Serious? Yes, serious with a capital S.

This card is amazing.

Mono-Lightning and Ninja themed decks are going to dominate in 2024 and beyond.

Might be why I’ve been selling plenty of Ninjas lately.

Edge gives you an advantage for one turn. Every Lightning Forward and Ninja deals 7000 damage to one of your opponent’s Forwards. That might be good enough to wipe the board. It might be good enough to get you the game.

Either way, you’re going to do some damage. Just need to find a way to give Edge Haste.

23-127R – Nyx LB

If you’re playing Mono-Lightning, or Kingsglaive, just throw Nyx into your Limit Break deck.

You’re bound to have a Lightning Character or a Kingsglaive Character hit the Break Zone, and when you do, you might as well play Nyx, for the whopping cost of 1CP. 0CP if you have Regis already on the field.

And, that’s all Nyx does. a glorified Meat Shield, ready to take on your opponent’s Forwards with his 9K body.

10k if you already have Lulu (1-150R) on the field.

You can’t go wrong here.

23-128R – Beatrix LB

Here’s another Knight for the Queen’s Guard.

God save the Queen, and the Forward that will be sent to the Break Zone whenever Beatrix attacks.

As long as you have 3 Knights on the field, Beatrix will be good to go, breaking a Forward once per turn.

It’s as simple as that.

Play Knights, Play Beatrix.

23-129H – Lunafreya LB

Look at the top 5 cards of your deck, and find the one with an EX Burst. Once you add it to your hand the EX Burst will go off.
This can be a great play where you grab a card with a great EX Burst that you can play right away, giving you double the EX, double the Burst. Double the damage. Double Trouble.

Or, you might get a card that you don’t need or want at that point in the game.

Now, I don’t know if these Limit Break cards are bounceable, but if they are, imagine what you can do if you keep bouncing Lunafreya.

23-130H – Luso LB

5CP to play Luso, who also searches for a Standard Unit, of a certain Element. That Element is chosen by you when Luso enters the field.

After that, whenever you play a Standard Unit onto the field, Luso gains +4000 power, giving him a 9k body until the end of the turn.

And, if you’re using Frimelda, you can play a Standard Unit each turn, giving Luso a constant 9K.

And, that’s all I got. I can’t focus anymore.

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Hidden Trials – By Light & Dark

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23-115L – Venat

Ok, this is the third time I’m trying to write about Venat.

And I don’t see anything that Special with this card.

4CP/9K

Strong enough Forward to play, you have your Crystal abilities. One which allows you to remove a Forward from the game when Venat is sent to the Break Zone.

The only thing I like about this card, is that you can search for a card whenever you’d like as long as you have the Crystals to pay for it.

23-116H – Illua

Did you ever think we’d get another Illua as good as Opus V?

I don’t know about you, but this one is up there.

Illua already comes in with Haste, which is always a plus, and depending on how many Backups you have on the field determines her ability.

If you have up to 3 Backups on the field, every time Illua attacks, you choose one of your opponent’s Forward and they lose 5000 power.

If you have at least 4 Backups, Illua becomes unblockable.

Either way you need to get Illua on the field as soon as possible.

23-117L – Chaos

I read this card wrong the first time, I was thinking to myself who would have that many Chaoses in their deck. Then I read Job Chaos, and it makes much more sense now.

Once Chaos comes into the field, remove a mixture of 5 Monsters and Chaos (the Job not the Legend) and your opponent will put one of their Forwards into the Break Zone, they will also discard 2 cards from their hand.

Talk about thinning out a hand.

Flare.

If you got 10 cards left in your deck, and you need 1 point to win the game, you have already one if you got an extra Chaos in your hand. Maybe Amaterasu can stop Chaos and Flare, but other than that 99.99% chance you’re going to win when you cast Flare at that point.

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Hidden Hope – Take It To the Limit

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22-112R – Zach LB

Zach out first Limit Break card, and I can’t say it’s anything special.

Zach comes in and deals a Forward 3000 damage.

Not much of a Limit Break per se.

Zach will stick around on the field as a body, So, 3CP isn’t terrible, but I’m sure there are better things to do.

 

22-133L – Mont Leonis LB

Now, this is more like it.

Even though I never liked Mont as a character, this is a card I would play.

Now, this will only work if you have 5 Fire Backups on the field when you bring Mont in.

For 8CP, you can grab a 3cost Forward and a 5 cost Forward from your Break Zone and play them straight to the field. They will both come in with Haste as well.

It still is a lot to pay, but you do get a lot in value from it.

8CP, 3LB points, and a Backup that you control.

As a last ditch effort, I will say that it can work. I mean that’s what Limit Breaks are supposed to be. Huge attacks, when you’re on your last legs.

22-114H – Viktora LB

Not bad.

I guess I’ll need to actually play a game with these Limit Break cards. Finding time is the problem.

Viktora needs, a discard deck around her, and you don’t need me to tell you that.

Luckily, Ice has the tools you’ll need to make Viktora a great play. Just like a Dragoon getting ready to Jump.

If your opponent has 2 cards or less in there hand, when Viktora enters the field, you get to choose a Forward and deal it 7000 damage.

And, if your opponent has no cards, Viktora gains +3000 power.

Much better than Zack.

22-115R – Serjes LB

Serjes, the lancer.

Now this was a decent Character in War of the Visions.

And, that is what this card is as well. Decent. Not great, not bad.

When Serjes enters the field, you can either Dull or Freeze a Forward.

And, then he’ll stick around as an extra body on your front line.

 

22-116L – Ace LB

Ace is looking like he will be a powerful card. Once Ace enters the field, Ace deals 1000 damage to all of your opponents Forwards. Just think for a second of what Ace can do if you’re playing Chocobos.

And, that’s not all cause when Ace attacks, you can reveal the top card of your deck, and if it’s a Wind card, which it will be if you’re playing Chocobos, you’ll add it to your hand.

Sure, Ace costs 8CP, but you’ll probably get that CP back, with the extra cards you’ll be drawing.

22-117R – Yuri LB

Yuri comes right in, and searches for Chelinka and Yuri brings Chelinka straight to the field. That way we’re bringing Yuri’s cost down a little bit. Sure, there are only 2 Chelinkas that you can choose, because her cost needs to be 2CP or less.

You’ll most likely be playing Chelinka (22-046R), and if you have another Crystal Chronicles Character on the field, Chelinka will give Yuri Haste, and you’ll be able to attack with Yuri right away.

Las, but not least, if you have 5 Backups on the field, Yuri also gains +4000 power, making him an 8K body.

22-118H – Shantotto LB

Shantotto, going back to her roots.

Shantotto comes in and breaks all the Forwards and all the Monsters. Every last one of them except for Shantotto herself.

If you’re in a pickle, go ahead and cast this Mage. 4CP + 7LB. That’s all of the rest of the cards in your Limit Break deck. Last ditch effort to save yourself.

If you’re just looking to get rid of all of the Forwards, just play Opus I Shantotto instead.

Or you can have both in your deck and use whichever one works better for you.

22-119R – Maat LB

Maat comes right in and gives all of your Forwards +1000 power and Brave.

That might be enough to finish the game for you, and if you end up striking out, at least you’ll still have Forwards that will be able to block.

Maat comes in with Brave himself.

This is a Limit Break card that I would gladly add to my deck.

 

22-120H – Cloud LB

Of course, we have cloud in the first set of Limit Break cards, what’s next Lightning?

Cloud comes in and Breaks a Forward, 3CP or less. After that Cloud will stick around with an 8K body, wheeling and dealing damage to your opponent.

And if you’re feeling a little CP rich, you can use Limit Burst.

For 4 Lightning CP and a Cloud card, you can Break one of your opponent’s Forwards and also deal your opponent 1 point of damage as well.

Do that 7 times and you won the game.

It’s possible.

22-121R – Lightning LB

Well, I was right. Lightning was next.

And when she enters the field, she will look for a Lightning summon.

And that is about it.

You’d think they’d have Lightning do something better.

 

 

22-122L – Tidus LB

I’m trying to think if this is worth it.

If you don’t pay 3CP does that mean you can’t choose any of these effects?

8CP, to Send a Forward to the bottom of it’s owner’s deck, a Backup to the top of it’s owner’s deck and draw 2 cards.

I can’t think of a reason to play this card, but I know I’ve already sold a few of them, so someone thinks that it’s a good play.

 

22-123R – Leo LB

Would you like to draw a card?

Well there’s better ways to get yourself to draw a card than Leo.

Only difference is that you can play Leo at any moment, because you already know that you can just grab him from the Limit Break deck.

Still, Leo will probably just be used to pay for other Limit Breaks.

Like Maat.

22-124H – Little Leela LB

This is a better Limit Break card.

Better than most of the cards we’ve seen in this set.

Little Leela comes in at 5CP with an 8k body.

You’ll say so what, nothing special about that.

And, I’ll say yes, but whenever Little Leela attacks, you will choose one of your opponent’s Forward and it will lose 7000 power until the end of the turn.

Now that makes it better. Better than Leo, better than Zack, better than Yuri, and I hate to say it but, better than Lightning.

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Hidden Hope – Light/Dark

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22-109H – Eden

Oh wow.

Eden can be a free play.

And, will be if you play your cards right.

You’ll just need to grab all of the Final Fantasy VIII Characters and put them in a deck, which shouldn’t be too hard, considering, all the FFVIII Characters are starting to play well together. And, once you have 8 Category VIII Characters on the field, Eden will become a free play.

Eden is a Summon that 99.99% of the time will break 2 Forwards. Dividing 30,000 damage between to Forwards should be quite easy.

If you’re playing a FFVIII themed deck, you are playing Eden.

22-110L – Citra

Let’s see.

Are you looking to get the most of your Summons?

Citra is here to help, for whenever you cast a Summon, you get to choose one of your opponent’s Forwards and it will lose 2000 power until the end of the turn.

And, that’s not all, cause it never is. Not for Legends.

When Citra comes into the field, you will remove 5 cards from your Break Zone, and when those cards are all of the same element, you can search for a 3 cost Summon, remove it from the game and cast it right away. Getting the Summon to go off, plus Citra’s ability because that Summon was cast.

If you’re playing a Summon heavy deck, you can’t go wrong with Citra.

22-111L – Raegen

Raegen plays like Citra, but different.

Raegen comes in and, you will remove 4 cards from your Break Zone. If there are 4 elements removed from the game, you can search for a Forward of 4CP or less and play it onto the field. Once that Forward hits the field, Raegen’s first ability comes into play. You may choose 1 Forward your opponents controls, and dull it.

That ability is triggered every time a Forward enters your field. 6CP is a decent price for a card that will keep on giving.

I’d say throw Raegen into a Warriors of Light deck, and you’ll be set to go. Maybe even Warriors of Darkness.

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Hidden Trials

We have just received word of a new set coming out.

Opus XXIII, Opus 23 or Hidden Trials. Call it whatever you’d like.
And we are excited!

Lightning graces the Booster Box with original artwork. And it sure is looking good. We can already guess on which card will have the Golden Signat … wait, … I don’t believe there is a Golden Signature. It just mentions a Special Card with an original illustration. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

We do get to see some of the cards, and I can tell you Lightning and Queen just look amazing.

We’re getting a new Tyro as well. This time Tyro is representing Wind, we’ll see how well he does in his new element. It also mentions that Final Fantasy Record Keeper will be a “Featured Title” so, I’m expecting at the very least a bunch of Record Keeper Standard Units, and Maybe just maybe, we’ll get the pixel art cards I’ve been wanting for a long, long time. You heard it here first. January, 11th 2024.

Legacy cards are back. Lightning (15-041L), Rydia (15-083L) and Refia (19-102L). I don’t get why they are just grabbing cards from newer sets, I believe that since they are named Legacy cards they should have come from older sets. At least 10 sets.

But, what do I know.

And with that I’ll just leave the press release here.

Hidden Trials will elevate the ‘Limit Break’ mechanic to new heights thanks to custom-themed cards that can turn the tide of battle, revolutionising the deck-building experience for players.

For the collectors, this Opus will include a very rare, Special Card [23-037R] showcasing an original illustration of FINAL FANTASY XIII Lightning by Miki Yamashita. Additionally, three beloved Legacy cards, Lightning [15-041L], Rydia [15-083L], and Refia [19-102L], are included.

As per tradition, renowned artists have contributed stunning new art pieces to bring the characters to life:

New Art

Rubi Asami, FINAL FANTASY VI / FINAL FANTASY XIII-2

Mihoko Ishii, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

Yuya Ishihata, FINAL FANTASY IX

Ryoma Ito, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift

Yukihiro Kajimoto, FINAL FANTASY

Gen Kobayashi, DIRGE OF CERBERUS –FINAL FANTASY VII–

Sara Shimokobe, FINAL FANTASY IV

Toshitaka Matsuda, FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0

Fumio Minagawa, FINAL FANTASY XI

Miki Yamashita, FINAL FANTASY XIII

Oreki Genya, FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0