Tag: Final Fantasy

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Union Arena & Lorcana

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I can’t believe that January is almost over. It feels like we just rang in the new year. It has been a busy month considering that it’s usually our slowest month of the year. Which is our goal. Because if January is the bottom, we can only go up from there. Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense, but it does to me.

Let’s get to it.

We’ve added a couple of new games in our TCG Player Store. Union Arena, and Lorcana. These have been flying out the door like hot cakes. Especially Union Arena. I first paid more attention to it after I saw that they were releasing a Full Metal Alchemist set. And, I must say I’m excited about that one.

Lorcana? Well, not so much. It looks fun, it sure takes you down memory lane. Only problem as of now, is that there is no Nightmare Before Christmas cards yet. I’ll tell you, when they finally add those to Lorcana, I’ll be picking up some more. I need a nice Oogie Boogie card. Let’s not forget about Lock, Shock and Barrel.

And, as always we’re restocking FFTCG. The 1,000 count bulk lot has been selling well, and were trying hard to keep those in stock. No duplicates in these lots, which means you’ll be getting at least half of all Common and Uncommons. Perfect way to start you collection. It comes down to about 3 cents a card.

Is there anything else?

Yes, sell us your bulk. We’ll be happy to take it off your hands. kardboardkorner@gmail.com

Hot Singles!

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Rydia of Mist

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An honest maiden, wise to the value of the heart.

A young summoner, able to call Eidolons from the Feymarch. Rydia bears hatred for Cecil, who indirectly killed her mother and set her village ablaze. But over time she is touched by the Dark Knight’s kindness, and opens her heart to him. Rydia is swallowed by Leviathan, king of the Eidolons, and is taken to the Feymarch, where time flows at a different rate. As a result, she matures into an adult in a very short time. Rydia rushes back to aid Cecil’s party when Golbez attacks them, rejoining their quest for the crystals.

-Taken from the Ultimania

You’ll first meet Rydia after you burned down her whole village, and as she is the sole survivor of Mist Village, she will attack you.

And with that, we’ll get into the cards.

“All that matters is what’s inside us. Isn’t that right, Cecil?”

2-094H – Rydia

Looking to add something a little extra to your Mono-Earth Summon Heavy deck? Well, look no further, Rydia here might be just what you’re looking for.

At 3CP, with a 7K body Rydia might not seem like much wight out the bat, but take a closer look at Gaia’s Wrath.

Gaia’s Wrath deals 7000 damage to every Forward on the field except for Earth Forwards. Which is why we said Mono-Earth.
Now, you’re probably wondering about the Summon Heavy part. Well that’s quite simple.

You can pay the (S) cost of Rydia’s ability with an Earth Summon, instead of another Rydia. Meaning, you might be able to cast Gaia’s Wrath once per turn.

You’ll eventually turn the tides in your favor with that.

“Enough! I can’t watch another person go off to die.”

2-095R – Rydia EX

After you’ve used all of your Summons, Rydia will go into the Feymarch (your Break Zone) and bring back a Summon for you.
Yes, it needs to be an Earth Summon.

And, yes this also comes off of an EX Burst.

And, yes you get this Backup for 4CP.

And, yes that’s about it.

“Coward, You’re a man, aren’t you? A grown man! Stop crying. I have.”

3-096R – Rydia

This one’s much better than the previous Rydia.

For 3CP you can search for any Summon that you’d like, and this Rydia only costs 3CP, making her total cost 1CP.

Sure, you can’t bring a Summon back from the Break Zone, but most of the time you probably won’t need to.

Unless the other 2 copies of that Summon end up in your Damage Zone.

“This battle is ours as much as anyone’s. Cecil said so himself. And having some Eidolons along can’t hurt, can it?”

9-077L -Rydia

Now this is a great card.

That is if you’re playing Summons.

Rydia comes in and you can look at the top 5 cards of your deck, If you find a Summon there you will cast it for free. And, there are a lot of High cost Summons that you can play.

Depending on what you find at the top of your deck, Rydia is the bargain that you’ve been looking for.

We’re not even done yet.

You can also use Rydia’s ability to look at the top X cards of your deck, and if you find a Summon that costs X or less you can cast it.

Yes, this one is more of a crap shoot, but once Rydia’s ability goes off when she enters the field, you’ll be in the money.

After that, everything else is extra.

You can probably just find a way to break Rydia, just to be able to play another Rydia.

“Think it’s sweet of you to say that, hotshot?”

11-083R/PR-051 – Rydia

Remember that time you were thinking of playing Monks, with Ursula and Yang?

Well, this is a card that you would have been playing if you did. And, if you didn’t, this is still a good Final Fantasy IV card.
Rydia gives all of the Final Fantasy IV Forwards, besides herself +1000 power and Brave.

And, if you play here after you already have 3 other FFIV Characters on the field, you can search for a 1 cost Summon, making her total cost 1.

Mono-Earth FFIV Monks with Cecil.

Plus there’s a whole lot of other FFIV Earth Characters that you can play.

Best thing is that you don’t need to limit yourself to Earth. I don’t even know why I started going on about Mono-Earth.

“I’m going to become a summoner just like my mother!”

13-065R – Rydia

“I don’t know if Rydia is cost effective. 6CP to play a summon without paying the cost. I’ll pass.”

I used to be terrible at this.

To be fair, I would probably say something along the same lines.

Unless there is a way to place Summon Counters on Rydia, this is a one trick pony.

I’d say you’re better off using that 6CP to play Opus IX Rydia.

I’ll leave it at that.

“Leave me alone! I hate you!”

15-083L – Rydia

Rydia already has self protection against Summons and abilities.

Rydia gains 2 Growth counters when she or another FFIV Character enters the field.

Rydia can cast a Summon once per turn by paying with Growth counters.

Rydia is a 2CP Forward.

Rydia is a Legend.

I like Rydia (15-083L)

“Are you mad?”

17-083C – Rydia

We all now that Raise is a high cost spell, and that is basically what Rydia is.

For 5CP, you can bring back a Forward that has just been broken, or knocked out, if you want to use the Raise term.

And, that is basically it. You get one chance to use Rydia, unless you have a way to get rid of her after she enters the field.

There are other ways to get a Forward back from the Break Zone, and Rydia is probably not the best one.

“Are you joking? It’s a miracle Zemus didn’t end up using you!”

17-137S – Rydia

Search for a couple of Summons, one gets tossed to the Break Zone by your opponent.

After that each time you cast a Summon, you might be able to break one of your opponents Forwards.

Especially if they are high cost Summons.

At least the art work is good.

“That was an awfully fast recovery.”

19-068R – Rydia

A 5 cost Backup, that searches for a Job Summoner, and a Summon.

Both need to be of different elements.

Other than that, the art looks good, almost reminds you of Amano’s work.

Sort of.

It seams like they can’t top Opus IX Rydia, or Opus XV Rydia.

Looking for Rydia?

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Rosa Joanna Farrell

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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?

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Gunslinger in the Abyss

Well this is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting this yet. They usually show us a new set during Spoiler Season.

Gunslinger in the Abyss.

There’s only one Gunslinger that I can think of and that is Vincent, and as you would have guessed right away, Vincent is on the Box. Bringing his total up to 2. Vincent still has a long way to go in order to catch Lightning.

We have an August release date, with 42 Full Arts. And, Square Enix is shaking things up with smaller Booster Boxes. The Booster Boxes will now only have 18 packs instead of 36, and from what I understand after reading this, a Master Case will have 4 cases of 6. Will we still be able to get a complete set of Full Arts from a Master Case? There’s only one way to find out.

Legacy cards we have three once more, and this time the Warring Triad is taking up all 3 spots. The Demon, The Goddess and The Fiend. Only thing that’s missing is Kefka ready to make use of them.

And, we have our first Spoilers for Opus XXVI – Gunslinger of the Abyss. Yes, I still use Opus.

Bartz – 26-053L

You can pay using your Crystals instead of CP to cast Bartz. 0CP for an 8k body. I’m liking this already.

When Bartz enters the field, you reveal the top 2 cards of your deck, and you can play a Character of 3CP or less onto the field. The rest go into your hand.

Meaning that if you paid with Crystal, you can gain 4CP.

You’ll come out ahead in Crystal Points. Other than that, I’ll have to try this card out to see if I like it or not.

Vincent – 26-068L

Now the Sample is blocking out some key information.

But, I’m going to take a guess.

Vincent enters the field, and deals 9000 damage to al the Forwards that cost three or less, meaning that most of those Forwards will be broken.

And, whenever Vincent is chosen by a Forward’s ability or your opponent’s Summons, Vincent deals a Forward 9000 damage. Either to the Forward that has an ability targeting Vincent, or to a Forward of your choosing.

One this is for sure.

Vincent will be dealing 9000 damage in some form or another.

We’ll get more information up soon.

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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?