Posted on Leave a comment

Rosa Joanna Farrell

Shop for these Singles and more at our TCG Player Store!

Peerless beauty, braving dangers for love.

A beautiful White Mage with a talent for the bow. A childhood friend of both Cecil and Kain, Rosa gives her heart to Cecil and assists him on his adventure as a White Mage. She leaves the castle out of concern for Cecil when he vanishes following the mission to Mist Village. Rosa reunites with Cecil, but Golbez takes her prisoner. After Cecil rescues Rosa, the two realize their feelings for one another. They fight side by side until the end.

-Taken from the Ultimania

As we wait for Cecil to find the Sand Ruby for Rosa, we’ll check out all of Rosa’s cards throughout the series.

2-143R – Rosa

Rosa is always ready to protect you.

For 3CP you get a Backup, that whenever one of your Forwards is chosen by one of your opponent’s Summons, you draw a card.

And, maybe that card that you draw will help you cancel your opponent’s Summon.

We also have Protect. You can use this ability and the next time one of your Forwards is dealt damage and that damage is less than their power, that damage becomes 0.

Other than the fact that you can draw a card each time your Forwards are being chosen by your opponent’s Summons, I’d leave this one out.

Opus I Minwu does a better job at protecting your front line.

“I knew you’d come for me.”

2-144C – Rosa

A 1 cost Forward that gives Cecil +1000 power.

And, this time Rosa has Mini-Protect.

By dulling Rosa, you can reduce the damage dealt to one of your Forwards by 1000. It’s not a lot, but sometimes that will be the difference in your Forwards surviving a block. You’ll get to keep your Forward instead of just trading cards with your opponent.

After that, Rosa is a body on the field, until you get the Rosa that you wanted to play from the begining.

“…Uhn … Cecil … Please, Cecil… Be alive!”

5-142H – Rosa EX

This is what happens when you give Rosa the Sand Ruby.

Rosa searches for Cecil and she brings him to your hand. Bringing Rosa’s cost down to 2CP. You can even search for Cecil off of an EX Burst.

You’ll then have a body with 5000 power on the field, which you will be able to reduce the damage dealt to one of your Forwards by 1000, if that Forward is Cecil reduce it by 3000 instead.

Play this with Opus II Cecil, and I think you’ll have something to work with.

“Without me along, who will heal you when you’re hurt?”

9-120L – Rosa

How did I forget about this card?

For 3CP you get a great card. A legend. The White Mage Rosa.

Rosa reduces the damage dealt to all of your Forwards by 1000, Yes, that has been the case with the previous Rosas, but this Rosa is also a great attacker.

If Rosa forms a party and attacks, you will activate Rosa, where she will be able to attack one more time. Which she will form a party and attack. She will activate one more time, but I doubt she’ll be able to attack again. Even though the wording makes it seem like she should be able to.

“I say we Pray!
PRAY.
Pray,
PRAY.
I say we Pray, just to make it today!”

It’s like MC Hammer already knew about this card in the early 90s.

If you’re playing Mono Water, you will be playing this Rosa. Use Pray to activate all of your Forwards. As long as you have an extra Rosa in your hand, you can go all out and attack.

After that you’ll Pray, and activate all of your Forwards, and they’ll be able to block during your opponent’s turn.

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

11-126R – Rosa EX

Rosa stands behind Cecil through the thick and thin. And, if you play her after you play Cecil, Rosa will allow you to draw a card.

And, if you don’t like that card, you can discard it and draw another card.

And, if you don’t like that one, wait till your next turn and discard it, to draw another card one more time.

Teleport. You finally have an answer to board wipes.

If your opponent plays Opus I Shantotto, you can just have Rosa use Teleport, and return all your Characters to your hand.
But, be careful. You might have a very large hand after that.

And, you know what they say about people with large hands.

They wear big gloves.

“No! Not you, too!”

14-057H – Rosa

Great artwork once again. You can tell apart the Amano artwork. I remember seeing a Magic card with his art on it, and recognized it immediately. But, that’s another story.

Just like we said before, activate all the Backups, if you’ve cast 3 cards this turn.

With Fran (14-052C) you’ll also draw 1 card.

All those activations will lead you into a 5th card cast this turn, which you’ll end up playing the top card of your deck. Unless it’s a Summon. Then it just goes back to the tops of your deck.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

16-063R – Rosa

The missing piece of Cecil and Ceodore.

Rosa comes in and keeps feeding Ceodore and Cecil, to power them up just a little bit to help them survive or take down your opponents Forwards.

A simple 2 cost Backup, that will still provide you with 1 CP per turn.

“As long as there is darkness…”

 

17-138S – Rosa

Decent card, better card if Cecil is on the field.

Even though Rosa is a Forward, she plays like a Backup, casting White Magic on your Forwards. Activate and a buff. All for a total of 0CP. You know you’ll be using her ability each turn.

Plus, you have an 8000 powered body. All this for 4CP.

“Cecil! I’ll visit you in your tower later.”

 

20-125R – Rosa

Here is the missing piece for the ultimate FFIV deck.

You can actually splash any element that you’s like, without worrying about how you’re going to pay for the cost. No more relying on Tyro, and how are you going to get Tyro on the field if you’re not playing Earth.

For 1CP you get to play Rosa and draw a card when Cecil enters the field.

All you got to do is find a way to recycle Cecil.

We did say that Water is the Recycling center, right?

Looking for Rosa?

Posted on Leave a comment

Cecil Harvey

Shop for Singles and more at our TCG Player Store!

Compassionate knight troubled by his way of life.

-Captain of Baron’s airship fleet, the Red Wings. Cecil fulfills his duty as a Dark Knight, but eventually leaves his homeland, unable to obey his king’s cruel orders any longer. He begins a battle against Golbez, who appears to be the one pulling the strings behind Baron’s campaign to gather the crystals. On his journey, Cecil faces his demons and is transformed into a holy Paladin. Anguishing over his friend Kain’s betrayal, Cecil is shocked to learn that he and Golbez are actually brothers descended from the Lunerian moon people. Even so, he continues to fight for the future of the Blue Planet and all who live there.

-Taken from the Ultimania

Where do we even start?

Cecil, the main protagonist of Final Fantasy IV. Has 18 different cards. Let’s take a look back down memory lane and check these all out once more.

1-108H – Cecil

Dark Knight of Baron.

3CP, 7000 power.

Not much going on here.

Cecil just waits for you to receive damage. And, and once you do Cecil deals one of your opponent’s Forward 5000 damage.
Isn’t that what Dark Knights do? Receive damage to make their attacks more powerful?

Then why is the damage dealt less than Cecil’s power?

It’s still ok.

Did Dark Knights ever become a thing?

1-162R – Cecil

Cecil had 2 cards in Opus I, and this is the second one.

Coming in at 5CP, with 8000 power, Cecil is the perfect Meat Shield. Literally. Cause, that’s what Paladins are. Glorified Meat Shields.

All of your opponent’s Summons and abilities must choose Cecil. No, ifs, ands, or buts. Period.

This is a card that can go into any Water deck and be useful.

Is it still useful today?

It can be. There might be better cards that will do the same thing for less CP, which I can’t name any off of the top of my head at the moment.

2-129L – Cecil

See this is a much better Paladin. You can see that Opus II Cecil is a major upgrade from Opus I Paladin Cecil.

Still 5CP, but this time Cecil has 9000 power. He is a Legend after all.

Cecil grants all of your Forwards Protection from Summons and abilities that deal damage. Plus he gives all of the Forwards other Forwards on your front line +1000 power.

Only draw back would be that Cecil must block, whenever possible.

But with 9000 power. You should be all right.

5-086L – Cecil EX

We’re only at Opus V, and all of these Cecils keep getting better.

Dark Knight Cecil here is breaking dull Forwards, whenever he enters the field. You can choose any dull Forward as long as it’s cost is equal to or less than the points of damage you have received.

This ability also comes off of an EX Burst.

And Dark, Cecil’s S ability which will break a Forward whose cost is equal to or less than the points of damage you have received. This ability also deals you a point of damage.

You can also just throw 3 of these into your deck, and hope you pull one when you receive damage.

7-135S – Cecil EX

Cecil comes in and activates 2 of your Characters. This also comes off of an EX Burst. Just in case you need to activate a couple of blockers.

If you have received 5 points of damage, Cecil gains +2k power and he can not be chosen by your opponent’s abilities.

Here’s an idea, if you’re playing Earth/Wind, You can play Dark Knight Cecil until you have 5 points of damage, and then find a way to break him, to play this Cecil.

It’ll be like playing Final Fantasy IV. You’ll start off as a Dark Knight, and transform into a Paladin later on in the game.

9-109H – Cecil

You’ll need another couple of Final Fantasy IV Characters on the field if you want to get Cecil’s full power. And, that is Brave and +2000 power for Cecil.

One time per turn you can use Cecil’s ability, we’ll call it Cover. You can choose one of your Forwards, and next time it is dealt damage, you can reduce the damage taken by that Forward by 4000 and deal that damage to Cecil. Allowing your other Forward to survive and live to fight another day. Or turn.

4CP for 10,000 power isn’t bad at all.

 

10-115C – Cecil

I’d say I don’t see anyone playing this Cecil, but then I thought about it and said. I’m 99% right. There will be a couple of people playing this card, just because they aren’t putting it in an FFIV deck.

Cecil is a 2 cost Backup that can be thrown into the Break Zone and reduce the damage dealt to one of your Forwards by 2000.

Yea, …

 

13-060R – Cecil

Not one of the better Cecil’s, but it might be worth the 1 point of Damage to get rid of a forward that’s been causing you trouble. And if that extra point of Damage gives you Brave, and +1K, well you might actually play this card.

 

 

 

 

15-073H – Cecil

The OG Dark Knight. Move over Batman, you ain’t got nothing on Cecil.

If you got a Crystal, you’re good. If not you shall receive 1 point of Damage when Cecil enters the field. Which isn’t too bad, because at 3 points of Damage, when Cecil is broken, you can search for another Cecil and play it onto the field. You’ll need another Crystal for that Cecil as well. Unless you go with another Cecil.

Souleater?

Yes, please. Throw in a whole bunch of Cecil’s into your deck just so you can use this ability over and over. And, when it lands you’ll deal your opponent 2 points of Damage. Watch out for those EX Bursts.

16-051L – Cecil

For 5CP, you can play Cecil, and another card from your hand that’s 4CP or less. And if that card you play is a FFIV Character, you get to activate 2 Backups. Doing the math that means, if you played a IV cost IV Character (get what I did there?) you’ll actually end up +1CP.

Worst case scenario, you only save 1 Crystal Point, but why would you play a 1 cost when you can play anything up to 4CP.
tenebrous blast

luminous blast

And, the icing on the cake, is that Cecil protects all your Characters. forcing your opponent to pay 2CP just to make sure their Summons and abilities go through.

 

17-050C – Cecil EX

6CP to draw a card?

I think I’ll pass.

I don’t see much use for this. There are plenty of cards that will draw you a card for much less.

Some of those even have better abilities as well.

 

 

17-139S – Cecil

There are better Cecils, but every time I say that, someone comes up with a way that makes this one even better than the other ones.

So, I’ll just say that Cecil here can have up to 10K Power with Brave.

That and if you dull your FFIV Characters, you can dull Forwards and deal damage and stuff.

 

 

20-075L – Cecil

Is 3 CP worth a point of damage?

Depends on what you’re playing. If you need that point of damage to buff up all your Forwards because you just received 5 points of damage then go right ahead.

Besides that, Cecil remains true to his story. As he can turn his Dark Knight self, into a Paladin. All you have to do is cross the mirror. Or get sent to the Break Zone. Whichever one is easier. For when you put Cecil into the Break Zone, you can search for a Paladin Cecil, and play him onto the field.

That Emissaries of Light Cecil, is looking good with this right now.

And Tenebrous Blast, just a special ability that deals 8000 damage to a Forward.

20-109H – Cecil

The other Cecil is better in my opinion.

This Cecil is basically a Crystal Generator.

Once per turn, if Cecil or a FFIV Character enters the field you gain 1 Crystal.

And, you can use that Crystal to give one of your FFIV Forward +1000 power and protection from your Forwards abilities.

Are the Golbez and Cecil decks going to shoot up in value soon?

21-132S – Cecil

What’s not to like about this card?

Built in protection. Cecil is a Paladin like no other. Or so they say.

4CP/8000 power. Can’t be chosen by abilities, can’t take damage from abilities. A meat Shield at it’s finest.

Cecil also buffs all of the other Dissidia Forwards with +2000 power.

And, if that’s not enough, Paladin Force breaks those pesky high cost Forwards that like to stick around the field more than they should.

Now if Cecil had some FFIV synergy, this card would have been awesome.

23-028L – Cecil

Move over Batman, Cecil is the real Dark Knight.

As you can see, all of Cecil’s abilities deal damage to you. Is it worth using these abilities, or even playing Cecil? Well that depends. Do you need to inflict damage upon yourself in order for your deck to get that much stronger.

If the answer is yes, then yes you should play Cecil. Just imagine your back is pinned to the wall, and all of a sudden you reach 5 points of damage and you cast Dark Flame. Most likely, wiping out your opponents front line.

All that’s left is for you to come in a get the win.

24-100C – Cecil

Now, this is how it should be done.

Cecil is the Backup that is always ready to cast Null Damage.

Although you won’t be drawing a card when you cast Cecil, Cecil is only 2CP, compared to the 3CP that Siren costs.

Cecil also has another ability that will Break one of your opponent’s Forwards.

Either way, Cecil is going to get something done, Breaking or Saving.

The choice is up to you.

Looking for Cecil?

Posted on Leave a comment

Guardians of the Summoner

You already know we’re going to build a FFX Deck with Yuna & Tidus, and the rest of the gang. So, lets get to it.

Starting off with Wakka (16-138S), because that is the best one to try and build around. If it was any other FFX Character we might have gone with the Opus 18 Wakka. But, today it’s Emissaries of Light Wakka. We can probably just grab the Custom Starter Set and call it a day. But, where’s the fun in that?

Since we’re grabbing Lulu (16-135S) first, it looks like that is what we’re doing. But, I promise you we’re not. Lulu will grab a Yuna from the Break Zone, which brings us to our next card.

Yuna (20-117L), I went on a rant when this card was first shown, and nothing has changed. We’re going to use this Yuna. And, fill up on Summons. We’ll grab those Summons later.

Tidus (16-116L), you can’t go wrong with this Tidus, and if you have 3 of them they’ll usually just come right back in your hand. You’ll always attack, and you know it’ll go through because Tidus can’t be blocked.

Kimahri (7-108H), Sure he might be a 6 cost Forward but you can get that cost down to 2, and possibly even one. Just depends on if you want to play Jecht or not. And, we do just to play a cheap Kimahri.

Jecht (20-011R) just so we can break Jecht in order to play Braska’s Final Aeon (11-015L).

And, if we have Braska’s Final Aeon we need Braska (7-121C) as well. No point in having one and not the other.

We need to add our Backups now. Class Fourth Moogle (10-121C), to give us some Fire CP.

Maria (1-083H) to give all of our Forwards a +1000 buff.

Rikku(2-071R), we would have gone with the Emissaries of Light Starter, but we need Backups.

White Mage (8-117C) so we can Activate all of our Forwards if we need to.

Let’s add Yuna (12-105L), doesn’t matter which Yuna you grab, because she’s just fodder for Holy.

All we need next is to fill up on Summons, to give Holy a bite.

Valefor (1-198S), Leviathan (2-140C), Syldra (3-135H), Amaterasu (12-002H), and Sylph (9-047C). You can also choose whichever Summons you like as well, as they are just used to make Holy more Powerful.

Forwards

3x – Wakka (16-138S)
3x – Tidus (16-116L)
3x – Lulu (16-135S)
3x – Jecht (20-011R)
3x – Yuna (20-117L)
3x – Kimahri (7-108H)
3x – Braska’s Final Aeon (11-015L)

Backups

3x – Rikku (2-071R)
3x – White Mage (8-117C)
3x – Class Fourth Moogle (10-121C)
3x – Braska (7-121C)
3x – Maria (1-083H)

Summons

3x – Leviathan (2-140C)
2x – Sylph (9-047C)
3x – Valefor (1-198S)
3x – Amaterasu (12-002H)
3x – Syldra (3-135H)

What would you change?

Posted on Leave a comment

Retired Blitzball Player

Wakka (1-180R)

3CP/Water
Backup
Blitzballer
Rare

“The Water Forwards you control gain +1000 power.”

I like these cards that buff you elemental Forwards by +1K. 90% of the time, if I’m building a deck, these cards are in there. At least one copy.

But, preferably 3.

Wakka (1-216S)

4CP/Water
Forward
Blitzballer
Starter

“When Wakka attacks, choose 1 Forward you control. Until the end of the turn, it gains +1000 power for each Forward you control.

Status Reels (S)(Wa): Choose 1 Forward. Until the end of the turn, it loses all its abilities and its power becomes 1000.”
Attack and Buff at the same time.

And, this one isn’t just a measly +1000 power, not saying that +1000 isn’t good, it’s +1000 power for each Forward you control. So you can take that Tidus (1-163L) and buff him by as many Forwards times two. And, if you have your back up against the wall, Tidus will do what he’s supposed to with Blitz Ace.

But, wait I thought we were talking about Wakka.

Wakka (7-126C)

2CP/Water
Backup
Guardian
Common

“(D): Choose 1 Category X Forward you control. It gains +1000 power until the end of the turn.”

Compared to the other Wakka’s this one just isn’t cutting it.

I wouldn’t use this one, when you have so many other choices.

Wakka (16-138S)

2CP/Water
Forward
Guardian
Starter

“You can remove 3 Reel Counters from Wakka to use Wakka’s special ability without paying the cost.

When Wakka or a Category X Forward enters your field, place 1 Reel Counter on Wakka.

Aurochs Spirit (S)(Wa): Choose 1 Forward. It loses all abilities until the end of the turn. Break it.”

Let’s see what we wrote when Emissaries of Light came out.

“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.”

The question is, how many FFX Characters can you get on to the field, and how fast can you get them on the field. Remember each one gives Wakka a Reel Counter, and with 3 of those counters, you can break one of your opponents Forwards.

Bring on the Aurochs!!

Wakka (18-102C)

3CP/Water
Backup
Blitzballer
Common

“EX BURST When Wakka enters the field, reveal the top 3 cards of your deck. Add 1 Water or Category X card among them to your hand and return the other cards to the bottom of your deck in any order.”

Resurgence of Power came out less than a year ago, and this is what we had then …

“A backup to play if you’re playing a FFX themed deck, or mostly Water.

Wakka let’s you reveal the top 3 cards of your deck and hopefully you’ll grab a card. There’s a good chance you will if you’re playing this Wakka.

This ability also comes off an EX Burst so there’s that as well.

But, from the 4 other Wakka’s available, 3 of them are better than this one.

Prove me wrong.”

Well, we can’t say we were wrong. I still stand by that.

But Mono-Water/X with the Dawn of Heroes Yuna, and Emissaries of Light Tidus,it might be worth having this Wakka on board.

Wakka (20-126C)

7CP/Water
Forward
Guardian/Blitzballer
Common

“The cost required to cast Wakka is reduced by 1 for each Backup you control.

When Wakka attacks, you may put 1 Backup you control into the Break Zone. When you do so, choose 1 Forward. Deal it 8000 damage.”

Dawn of Heroes, is more like Dusk of Heroes since Beyond Destiny is right around the corner.

“Well, at least we figured out what to do with all those free Backups that we were getting.

You now have a way to use them as fodder for Wakka when he goes into attack mode.

Every time Wakka attacks, he grabs a Backup and throws it like a Blitzball at one of your opponents Forwards for 8000 damage.

Sure 7CP might be a bit much to play Wakka, but it is reduced by 1 for each Backup that you have on the field.
You should be only paying 2CP to get Wakka on the field. Maybe a little bit more.

“Wakka, wakka, wakka”

We’re just going to keep that like that.

“Wakka, wakka, wakka”

Posted on Leave a comment

The Warriors

Since Benjamin is the only Mystic Quest Character, we’ll have to do this deck a little bit different. We can see that Benjamin is a Warrior, so what better time to do a Warrior tribal deck than now?

We’re starting off with Benjamin (16-076C) well because he is the Warrior that will be built around. How easy is it going to be? I guess we’ll find out.

We’re starting off with a card that we haven’t really used, but looks like the perfect candidate for The Warriors. Maria (17-128L) Giving all of your 2 cost Forwards (or less) +2000 power. And, we know for sure there are plenty of Warriors that cost 2CP. Warrior (2-010C), Warrior (5-014C) and Warrior (8-013C). Plus Maria can turn a Backup into a Forward with 8K power, and if it’s a 2 cost Backup it will also gain another 2000 power. We’ll just add Warrior (11-010C) and Warrior (17-069C). We’ll also add Delita (1-113C) because of this and Wol (13-117R).

Since we have Wol, we’ll add Graff (13-057H) which will give all of your Earth Forwards +2000 power along with your Mobius Characters.

Firion (15-081C) because we have a Rebel in Maria, and that gives Firion a buff and Brave.

Ward (6-001C) as he gives all the Job Warriors +2000 Power.

Warrior of Light (14-004C) all your Standard Units +1000 power, and at 3 points of damage, it will become a total 0f +3000 power.

We need to be able to produce Lightning CP to play Wol, so we’ll grab Class Tenth Moogle (9-074C).

Backups we’re grabbing Miner (5-082C) to grab a Backup and a Forward from the Break Zone, if needed.

Ingus (13-055C), will give a Standard Unit +1000 power and Brave, once per turn.

As for Summons we’ll go with Alexander EX (13-053R) and Titan (17-070R). We’re just going with Summons that will give your Forwards a buff.

Forwards

3x – Delita (1-113C)
2x – Warrior (2-010C)
2x – Warrior (5-014C)
2x – Warrior (8-013C)
3x – Wol (13-117R)
3x – Maria (17-128L)
3x – Graff (13-057H)
3x – Firion (15-081C)
3x – Ward (6-001C)
3x – Warrior of Light (14-004C)
3x – Benjamin (16-073C)

Backups

3x – Class Tenth Moogle (9-074C)
3x – Warrior (11-010C)
3x – Ingus (13-055C)
3x – Warrior (17-069C)
3x – Miner (5-082C)

Summons

3x – Alexander EX (13-053R)
2x – Titan (17-070R)

Plan here is to Swarm your opponent with low cost Forwards that receive Buffs left and right and from across the stream.

What would you do differently?