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Crystal Dominion – Ice Review

15-022C – Amidatelion

Time to Ice your opponent.

Got yourself a way to remove some buffs. More specifically Haste, Brave and First Strike.

You can play Ice/Earth and have Robel-Akbel recycle Amidatelion.

 

 

 

15-023R – Werei

Werei is here, to draw you a card at the end of each of your turns.

Stick him in a discard deck.

 

 

 

 

15-024R – Orphan EX

Orphan here is a one man show, even though he is a Rare. For 5CP you can dull 1 Forward at the beginning of each of your Attack Phases. Hopefully your opponent won’t be playing Feolthanos (10-098L).

A good card to play with Orphan, you ask?

Physalis (13-028L), along with all the other Discard cards you might have available in your possession.

 

15-025C – Scholar

Cast a Summon

Dull Scholar.

Dull a Forward.

In that order.

 

 

15-026C – Kazusa

Just because, Orphan and Kazusa come from the same “Universe” per se, doesn’t mean that they will play well together.
But, they do.

Imagine being able to break a Forward, just because Orphan will be causing your opponent to discard a card at every Attack Phase.

After that 1(I)CP and dull Kazusa, throw him in the Break Zone, and Break one of your opponents Forwards.

 

15-027R – The Emperor

Is there a never ending recycle loop here with the Emperor?

Considering there are 8 The Emperor cards, including this one. You will be able to play Emperors left and right, discard them, revive them, break, search and destroy to bring back The Emperor from the Break Zone.

I lost myself there. It’s all a blur.

All I know is that you will be able to have 24 The Emperors in your deck. Where most of them can interact with each other when they hit the Break Zone.

15-028H – Gogo

I think Gogo will be interesting to play. Doubling down on some abilities by any Forward or Monster. I’d say the only drawback is that you can only use that ability once per turn. I’m sure there will be ways around that, but even so, It’s still a great ability

Gogo, will fit right at home in a FFVI themed deck.

And Mimic, allows you to use another Characters Special ability.

Physalis, I’m looking at you.

 

15-029R – Zalera

Cheap Summon, for a great Break.

Only thing is the Forward you chose needs to be dull already. Not a problem. Once that Forward attacks, it dulls itself, thus allowing you to use Zalera as you see fit.

But, then again this card is just a reprint. We should already know that.

 

 

15-030H – Shiva EX

The Ice version of Ifrita.

The more Shivas in your Break Zone the stronger this Summon gets.

0-1 Dull 1 Forward
2-3 Dull 2 Forwards
4-5 Freeze the dulled Forwards
6 or more, Your opponent discard 2 cards from their hand.

All this for 1 CP.

15-031C – Shiva

Choose one of two. Deal 9K damage to a dull Forward, or give all your Ice Forwards +3K.

Depending on th Situation. You can probably always figure out which one to use. But, the +3K sounds real good. At least for now.

All this for as little as 1CP. If you’re carrying a Crystal that is.

 

 

15-032C – Cid Raines

You usually try and keep your Forwards alive, but Cid Raines here, is definitely a blocker.Just keep him on the field. Till he blocks everything he can, and then … you’ll realize you should just be attacking. That way he’ll either be dealing your opponent Damage, breaking Forwards, or worse case scenario. Cid Raines will be broken and sent to the Break Zone. And then your opponent will discard a card from their hand.

 

 

 

15-033C – Jumbo Flan

Jumbo Flan here has 2 Jobs.

1) Dull and Freeze a Forward.
2) Become a Forward in itself, and strike fast.

Doesn’t matter if Jumbo Flan deals damage or not, because once you turn Jumbo Flan into a Forward, he will Break at the end of the turn.

 

 

15-034R – Snow

We’re getting more than just flurries, here.

Pay a Crystal and either Freeze all the Forwards, or Freeze all the Backups.

Or Bounce Snow with Rinoa, pay an extra Crystal, and Freeze all the Forwards and Backups.

 

 

15-035H – Setzer

With Setzer you’re gambling with the odds on your side. 8 out of 10 times you’ll grab a Character from the top spot of your deck.

Other than that, Setzer will most likely be giving you Crystals at the end of your turn.

 

 

 

15-036H – Celes

This is a great looking card. There better be a Full Art Version.

The Rune Knight Celes has a thing for Locke, as she allows you to search for him when she enters the field. But, if you already have Locke in your hand you’ll just make your opponent discard a card from there hand.

Celes knows all about parties. And when FFVI Forwards form a Party and attack. You can either Freeze 2 Characters, or Find a Category VI Character in your Break Zone.

That Character will be Locke. Any Locke will do, as you’ll already have Locke (4-048L), and using his Special Ability will allow you to slowly chip away at your opponent.

15-037L – Terra

Some more great artwork.

Playing a Summon heavy deck? Terra is the card for you. You might be able to Dull and Freeze your opponents whole board. Might.

But, even if you just dull and Freeze the main pieces of your opponents board, you’ll still be in a good position.

And whenever you cast a summon Dull 1, Freeze 1. 1 Forward, one Backup. Choose and pick.

15-038C – Knight

Knight comes in, hands you a Crystal

Next turn, Knight Dulls himself and puts himself into the Break Zone dulling a 3 cost Forward.

Thus concludes the story of Knight

 

 

15-039C – Mime

It’ll be fun playing with Mime as his Power will change every time another Forward comes in. From the high powered forwards, to the 1000 power. But, it won’t really matter as long as Mime will be able to block a Forward. Does it really matter how much power Mime has?

 

 

 

 

15-040C – Larzos

Hmm, I don’t know. 5CP to Freeze Forward, but it’ll leave you with a 9K body on the field.

When he’s tossed into the Break Zone, you’ll get a Crystal for your troubles.

Larzos is just a common, which is probably why he costs 5CP.

In my opinion, I think there are better options, and worse ones as well.

Now prove me wrong as to why you should play Larzos.

 

15-041L – Lightning

Now this is an interesting card.

For optimum results you’ll want your opponents hand to have 0 cards. and the less cards you have Lightning is even stronger.

1CP/10K body with Haste.

That is what you’re looking at.

There are plenty of cards this set, that’ll help you achieve that

Orphan, Shiva (15-030H), Cid Raines, Celes, and Gogo for when you’re using these abilities. Not to mention cards from previous sets, but you should have a very good chance at achieving no cards in your opponents hand before you play Lightning.

15-042R – Locke EX

This card might …. No, he won’t replace Opus IV Locke, but you might want to throw in a couple if you’re running a FFVI themes deck.

Think about it. Play a VI card. reveal the top card it’s a VI card add it to your hand. Play that VI Card and grab the next VI card. It might work. FFVI themed deck is already a strong deck in my opinion.

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Crystal Dominion – Fire Review

15-001R/9-002H – Ifrita

Starting off the set with a reprint?

I would too, if it’s Ifrita. Now along with the Ifrita we got in the previous set, It’ll be a lot easier to get Ifrits and Ifritas in your Break Zone.

 

15-002C – Sky Warrior

There’s a reason Sky Warrior is a common.

He costs too much for his abilities. Sure, you can say that he’ll pay you back for the costs if you use him to pay for CP, but I shall pass on this one.

 

 

 

15-003C – Sky Samurai

I would have said this card was a bust, but after playing against it, at the Prerelease, I realized I was wrong. I didn’t even put it in my deck, then I realized that it is a decent card.

Attack, Opponent Blocks, Discard a card for +2K, Break Opponents Forward.

Simple Enough.

 

 

15-004C – Edgar

Need a Backup?

If there is a way to recycle Edgar, he would have been a great card. Actually now that I think about it I know someone will know of a way to break your own Backups. And, that someone need to tell me.

But, Edgar here really shines if you’re playing a Category VI deck. That way, when you choose your Forward, you’ll also deal another Forward 7000 Damage, when you attack.

 

15-005R – Guy

5CP to search for a Rebel, and play it on the field. You can consider Guy as a free play if you pick a 3CP Rebel. Doesn’t even have to be Fire any element will do.

And, what better Rebel to search and play, other than Opus I Maria.

Give Guy +1K. And fill the rest of your deck with Warriors, or job Warrior. Then all you need is to cross out Guy’s name on the card and call him Swan.

 

15-006H – Cyan

Samurai’s getting a whole lot stronger this set.

Cyan and Tenzen will run this set. Just add as many generic Samurai cards as you can, and watch Cyan just manhandle your
opponent. By dealing a Forward 9K, every time a Samurai enters the field.

You won’t even need to play your whole hand. Just enough Samurais to wipe out your opponents Forwards.

 

15-007C – Samurai

Exchanging 2CP for a Crystal.

Seems like an even trade. Now to find what we’re going to use these Crystals for?

Samurai has no abilities, that consume Crystals, but there are plenty other cards that do. Samurai’s job is to give you a Crystal and then hopefully you’ll find a way to Break Samurai so you can play the your real Backups.

 

15-008C – Shadow EX

4CP/8K body that gives you a Crystal when Shadow is put into the Break Zone.

 

 

 

 

15-009C – Bahamut

A four cost Summon that can become a 2 cost Summon with the help of a Crystal.

Plenty of these Summons this set.

Deal a Forward 9K.

Plain and Simple.

 

15-010R – Vargas

The plan is to attack with a weaker Forward first. Once that Forward breaks, you will attack with Vargas and choose 1 of your opponents Forwards and make them block your next attack.

Choose wisely and you will break your opponents Forwards one by one.

Almost like Cyan, but cyan seams to be more effective.

 

15-011L – Palom

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

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

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

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

Yes, Please. I’ll take 3.

15-012H – Faris

What a card.

Pirates and Vikings Unite.

Faris and Leila will have a field day with the Vikings, coming in and out and back and forth from the Break Zone and what not. It will work.

Then all you need to do is fill up your deck with a lesser value of 3CP, and give yourself multiple copies of Faris. Not just this one. All the other ones that you can find. And Spam Pirate Storm.

The Vikings will thank you.

15-013L – Firion

Have you got an extra Crystal lying around. Firion here can use it. Buff him up with Haste, First Strike and +1K Power. And, not just for this turn. Have an extra Crystal, give Firion +3K Power. But this one only lasts for 1 turn.

Other than that, there’s not much else to write about.

 

 

15-014H – Brynhildr EX

Deal 5K damage to a Forward and if you break it you win a card. Just grab it from the top of your deck.

 

 

 

 

15-015R – Bwagi

Fire, now will have a way to draw cards. As long as you have Bounty Counters on Bwagi, you’ll be able to draw a card on every turn.

 

 

 

 

15-016C – Bomb

Your Elemental Monsters are here. You know the ones that are practically the same in all elements, but different.

Bomb here, deals a Forward 5K damage, when it enters the field.

After that you can turn Bomb into a Suicide Bomber. Turn him into a Forward and no matter what happens Bomb will end up in the Break Zone.

 

15-017H – Machina

Why does it seem that Machina doesn’t synergize with the rest of the Class Zero Cadets? Could be the same reason I never used him in Type-0.

I can see this card being played early in the game. As soon as you’re opponent plays a couple of cards, you can unleash Machina. And, since he’ll be the only Forwards you have out at the moment. You’ll be able to start swinging, and have Brave for that matter as well.

 

15-018C – Sabin

These commons are getting a little bit more expensive.

But, there’s something about this Fire set with dealing 9K damage to a Forward your opponent controls. And Sabin here is no different.

At the start of every turn, yours and your opponents. You can use Sabin’s ability and deal 9K damage. Next turn another 9K.

 

15-019C – Josef

Simple Rebel searcher. Also works on an EX Burst.

 

 

 

 

15-020R – Rinok

Rinok enters with 2 Bounty Counters.

Now, his ability states that you need to use 1 Bounty Counter to use it, but you can remove the Bounty Counter from any character that has a Bounty Counter on them.

 

 

 

15-021R – General Leo

Hmm, now this is interesting. A card that disallows Summons, and Forwards must always block.

Asta La Vista Summons. So Long, Valefor. See ya Later Phoenix. Not this time Amaterasu. Ain’t going to work Diablos. After a while, Crocodile. You get the point.

Might be worth playing in any deck, just to see your opponent get angry when they can’t cast the summon to save themselves.

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Robel-Akbel

We’re starting off with a Bang! Spoiler Season is here like we’ve mentioned earlier this week and we just keep on going. Final Fantasy XI, we got Robel-Akbel. And with that …

On to the card

4CP – Earth
Forward
Category : XI
Job : Black Mage/Warlock Warlord
8000 Power
Legend

“When Robel- Akbel enters the field, you may pay (C).

When you do so, choose 1 Forward or Monster, Break it.

At the beginning of Main Phase 1 during each of your turns, choose 1 backup in your Break Zone. Add it to your hand”
We’ll just jump straight into that second ability. At the beginning of Main Phase 1, grab a Backup from your Break Zone. At the beginning of your opponents Main Phase 1, grab a Backup from your Break Zone.”

As Long as Robel-Akbel is on the field. You will be getting an extra 2CP you can use during each of your turns. That way you can have your reserve list of Backups in your Break Zone and grab them whenever you’ll need them.

You’ll probably be looking for a 2 cost Backup that has either an entry ability or an ability that hits when it is put into the Break Zone. That way you can keep recycling it over and over.

A card like Kazusa (3-026C). Your opponent will be discarding cards left and right while you’re just recycling Kazusa and another Backup.

As for the Crystal ability, upon entry, Robel-Akbel can Break 1 Forward or Monster. There are plenty of ways to gain Crystals, we’ve seen a couple already. And now we also have a Crystal Card available.

What other Backup would you pair Robel-Akbel with? Let us know in the comments.

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Up on Cloud 9

The card you’ve all been waiting for. Ex-SOLDIER, Mercenary for Hire, Cloud!!!

On to the card

4CP/Earth
Forward
Job : SOLDIER
Category : DFF – VII
Legend
8000 Power

“If your opponent controls any Forwards, Cloud gains +2000 Power.

When Cloud attacks, choose 1 Forward. It gains “If possible, this Forward must block.” until the end of the turn.
Discard 1 Category VII card: Until the end of the turn, Cloud gains +1000 power and “Cloud cannot be chosen by your opponent’s abilities.”

There you have it, the card everyone is looking for in this set. Well, not this one, but the Full Art Foil. Just looking at the art work on this card, Cloud performing his Cross-Slash. It’s just a great looking card.

All you need is your opponent to control 1 Forward and Cloud immediately becomes a 10k body. Add Enna Kross (1-095R) for another 1k, and you have a powerful Forward that will start picking off your opponents Forwards one by one.

And since you’re playing Cloud, you know you need Tifa (14-120H), who searches for Cloud and gives him +1K every time Cloud attacks. Or any other Forward as well. Barret (14-121L) will let you grab Tifa from the Break Zone to search for Cloud when you play her.

If you want to play a FFVII themed deck, you’ll need to add the other members of AVALANCHE as well, Jessie (4-082C) to reduce the cost for Cloud and Barret, Wedge (4-076R) to search for either Tifa or Barret. And, Biggs? You can probably leave him out for now, unless we get a better Biggs in the AVALANCHE Vs. Shinra Deck that is coming out soon.

Marlene (8-085C) is also a good choice allowing you to grab Aerith, Cloud, Barret or Tifa from the Break Zone. Vincent (9-026H) to recycle Marlene after you grabbed a card from the Break Zone. You might as well play Yuffie (3-069C), simply for the fact that she is a free card is Vincent is on the field.

Plenty of other cards to play as well, I’m sure you have your own ideas as well. Let us know in the Comments.

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Lord of Crags

It’s all Primals, as far as the eye can see. Titan will shake things up as he enters the field.

On to the card

7CP/Earth
Forward
Job : Primal
Category : XIV
Legend
9000 Power

“When Titan, Lord of Crags enters the field, break all the Forwards with power lass than Titan, Lord of Crags. When 5 or more Forwards are put from the field into the Break Zone by this effect, Titan, Lord of Crags deals your opponent 1 point of damage.”

The way I see it, Titan works like your Opus I Shantotto, but with added benefits. He’s a Forward and he can still knock your opponent silly. Although he might not be able to completely wipe out the board, he is highly likely to deal your opponent a point of Damage for your troubles.

Now. What would you say if we used Heretical Knight Garland (9-061R)? Not a lot of synergy but, you will be playing Garland for 2 CP after you played Titan onto the field.

Earth and Water go pretty good together. Ovelia (13-090L)  might be a good card to play as you can use Aegis on Titan. And when Titan is about to be sent into the Break Zone for any reason, you can bring him back to the field.

Any other suggestions?