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Emissaries of Light – Water Thoughts

Here we go again, after I lost it all when my Computer Froze.

16-106R – Andrea Rhodea

Andrea Rhodea, Perfect for a FFVII deck. And that’s pretty much it. He might be a Dancer, but there doesn’t look like he has any Synergy with other Dancers. Maybe Mayakov, just cause he gives Rhodea Protection, and that you can play him once Mayakov enters the field.

But, FFVII is the way to go. Only question is which Cloud do we choose?

 

 

16-107R – Ezel

More like a Mathematician.

Ezel allows you to search for a Forward, as long as you can do some simple math.

Add up the CP of the cards you discard to find a Forward with the Same cost.

There should be an easier way to search for certain Forwards.

 

16-108C – Kimahri

Kimahri only job is to place a Ronso Counter on a Forward, and give that Forward some Protection against damage dealt by your opponents Summons or abilities.

Kimahri will come in and give a Forward a Ronso Counter. All you need to do is figure out a way to keep bouncing Kimahri.

 

 

16-109C – Kyrie EX

I always liked the cards that allow you to look at your opponents hand.

They won’t be discarding anything, but you’ll be able to look at the top 2 cards of your deck and see if you like what you’ll get.

If you don’t just send them to the bottom of your deck, and hope for something better.

 

16-110C – Clavat

Another backup Backup.

Clavat here lets you draw a couple of cards when he enters the field and gets sent to the Break Zone. And with you being able to play 3 Clavats you might be able to Draw 6 cards.

Imagine what kind of Damage you can do with up to 11 cards in your hand.

 

 

16-111R – Genbu EX

Along with the same abilities the other Shijin have. Genbu comes in with “Protect”

The damage dealt to Genbu is reduced by 3000. And it is a constant reduction.

 

 

 

16-112C – Corsair

Don’t like your cards, play Corsair.

You’ll draw 2 cards and discard 1 card from your hand.

After that you can always use his ability and draw 1 more card.

 

 

16-113C – Sahagin

Sahagin will come in use water gun on your opponent. Blinding one Forward you choose, just enough to send him back to your opponents hand.

After that it’s a Switcheroo as you grab a card and discard a card. All this for 3CP.

After that, need to look at the top cards of your deck?

Sahagin will jump into the Break Zone to allow you to do just that.

16-114C – White Mage

White Mage is here to have some fun with Sahagin.

Whenever you discard a card from his on-entry ability, you’ll draw 1 card.

And it doesn’t stop there. This can happen anytime you discard a card, but only once per turn.

 

 

16-115H – Sarah (MOBIUS)

Sarah is hungry for Crystals. And every time you find one, she just might be able to get you a Backup to add to your hand.

Now, you do gain a Crystal when she comes in, but it’s not just that Crystal, it’s any Crystal you can get.

And then just keep feeding her 1 Crystal per turn, and she’ll gain +1000 power and Protection from damage that is less than her power.

16-116L – Tidus

Tidus is the gift that keeps on giving.

As long as you play it safe, Tidus will always be around, and it will seem like there is no way around him. Only a slight reprieve when your opponent manages to get him off the field for a second.

Tidus cannot be blocked, so you know that you won’t be blocking with Tidus because you will be constantly attacking, chipping away at your opponent.

Oh, and every time you send Tidus to the bottom of your deck, you draw 3 cards.

Now it doesn’t specifically say only this Tidus. If your opponent has a Tidus and you send it to the bottom of their deck, do you also draw 3 cards?

16-117H – Tros

Do I see an Octopus deck coming into play?

Tros will easily let you draw cards when Ultros sends himself back to your hand.

Octopi/Tidus or Octopidust, yes that is what I shall call it. When I finally get around to making it that is.

You know it’s going to work.

16-118C – Fiona EX

For some reason I thought this was a Backup.

So, you’ll be basically paying 2CP for Fiona and you got an 8K body.

You can also draw a card off of an EX Burst.

 

 

16-119H – Fusoya

A Five color deck?

It can work. You already have Soiree going all out this set.

Just add Fusoya to the mix, and you’ll probably choose up to 4 abilities to cast.

 

 

16-120C – Firion

There are a lot of cards that help you draw cards. Water is Turbo Draw.

Just don’t mill yourself out.

 

 

 

16-121R – Vesvia EX

It seems like there’s a certain way to play Soiree.

Well you can play any way you’d like, but depending on how many Soiree Members are on the field, you can draw up to 2 cards. Thus, making Vesvia a free card.

 

 

 

16-122R – Marche

I’m on the fence about this Marche. Due to the cost, and if the Opus XI Marche is better.

But, you’ll probably be playing a different strategy if you play this one.

You’ll grab a 2 cost Character right off the bat, and after that every time Marche attacks, you draw 1 or 2 cards.

 

 

16-123L – Meia

Here is your discount card.

Meia comes in with Haste, and even though she cannot attack or block, she lets you cast a Summon from your hand for up to 3CP less. You’ll be playing 1CP for 4 cost Summons.

Who else can we pair Meia with?

 

16-124H – Lightning

Lightning comes in when you’re at a slight disadvantage. Depending on how many Forwards you and your opponent have, you’ll be able to remove one of their Forwards from the game.

With Switch Schemata, you’ll be able to save Lightning from being sent to the Break Zone, and have her just come back in at the end of the turn and Remove another one of your opponents Forwards from the game.

 

16-125C – Leviathan

It’s like your going fishing, and throwing the fish back into the sea.

Either that, or another fish you already caught.

Choose a 5 cost or less Forward and place it at the top or bottom of it’s owner’s deck. And maybe draw a card. But, you’ll be losing 2 cards.

Meh, I probably don’t see it.

16-126R – Leo

A what now?

More Math? Not exactly, but you’ll have to have Characters of cost 1-6 already on the field to play this 1CP/7K Forward.

And when Leo enters the field you can play a card from the top 5 cards of your deck. So, you’ll basically be coming up positive in the CP count with Leo.

After that return Leo to your hand, there are plenty of cards that will allow you to do that. Then rinse and repeat.

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Emissaries of Light – Opinion on Lightning

16-085C – Assassin

2 cost Backup that serves as a backup plan and a Backup.

Deals Damage to a Forward that entered this turn.

8K should be enough to break most Forwards coming in.

 

 

16-086C – Ixion

This is a pretty decent Summon. 4CP to have a Forward lose 8000 Power. And, if you’re playing a tri-color deck, it’ll also cause all of your opponents Forwards to lose 2ooo power. Including the first Forward you chose, so that will make it 10K.

 

 

 

16-087C – Puppetmaster

Puppetmaster enters the field, you discard a card and grab a better one from the Break Zone.

I like this card, and it doesn’t cost much.

Grab that Forward from the Break Zone that just got broken, and use it again as your opponent just watches as he just used all of his resources to get rid of it.

Or, something like that.

16-088L – Black Waltz 3

Black Waltz is coming out in full force. (Yes, I know that everyone already knows that, but these are what I see when I first look at the card. I’ve been very behind this Opus,)

All the Black Waltzes are helping each other come back from the dead. And, this time there is no timers on them.

It would be interesting if there was. Roll of the dice or flip a coin, and they just Stop.

Time to head to Black Mage Village.

16-089H – Zack

Zack looks like he’s ready to save Cloud once again.

He’ll come in take care of all the enemies and when he is ready to be sent to the Break Zone, Cloud will come in and finish the job.

It would have been nice if it was that easy.

But, still a pretty decent card for a FFVII deck.

 

16-090R – Seymour

Summon heavy?

Seymour, (I always end up typing Seymore) is a card you’ll play later on in the game, as with depending on how many you have in your Break Zone, Seymour will Break a Forward when he enters, and after that, he simply deals your opponents a point of Damage for removing 6 Summons from the Break Zone.

Sounds good to me.

 

16-091C – Chadley

Now, this is a decent Backup.

Lightning is getting some cards that will help you retrieve cards from the Break Zone.

For 4CP, Chadley can grab you 2 Forwards from the Break Zone. And, you don’t need to use his ability right away.

You can use it as soon as a Forward you need is sent to the Break Zone.

16-092C – Noel EX

For an expensive Common, this is a decent card.

Noel comes in and Dulls 2 Forwards. This also works off of an EX Burst as well.

Other than that, you can dull and sacrifice Noel, and Dull all of your opponents Forwards.

What did they call him in Lightning Returns? The Shadow Hunter?

 

16-093R – Noctis

You are playing a FFXV deck for certain. Kingsglaive or Noctis and Friends, or a mix of both.

Noctis here will shine in either deck.

You’ll be dulling Forwards left and right, and with the new Noctis/Ardyn deck coming out later this year, I’m sure there will be plenty of use for this one.

Noctis can watch it all happen while he sips his coffee.

16-094C – Palmer

The way Palmer is sitting there, about to sip his tea, you know that he’s got something up his sleeve. You think you have him backed into the corner, but nope.

Palmer gives you a way to grab two cards when you run out of cards.

For 2CP, I think this is a good play. He’ll grant you a CP every turn until you decide to use his ability.

 

 

16-095R – Vivi EX

Are we getting the pieces to make a Black Mage deck possible?

Grab a Black Mage from the Break Zone, when Vivi enters the field.

And deal Damage to a Forward, which increases with each Black Mage that you have on the field.
Is this the first Lightning Vivi?

 

16-096R – Byakko

Another Shijin for Kirin.

We already know, Byakko comes in and you can search for a Shijin other than Byakko.

After that, every time Byakko attacks, you can choose 1 Forward and Dull it.

 

 

16-097H – Hyoh

You can play Hyoh for 1CP, but he’s not that great. Not yet.

Hyoh becomes more valuable, the more you put into him.

You’ll want to spend another 4CP on Hyoh to make him a devastating threat.

1CP to give Hyoh Haste and up his power to 7K. After that another 3CP to up his Power to 10k and when he deals damage to your opponent you will deal 2 points instead of 1.

Just watch out for a possible Double EX Burst that might come your way.

16-098H – Spectral Keeper

Spectral Keeper is a Keeper.
Yeah, that was lame.

But, this Monster is a Monster.
OK, I’ll stop there.

But, dulling a Forward at the beginning of each Attack Phase is more than enough to place him in your deck.

And, at 3 points of Damage, Spectral Keeper becomes a Forward and every time it attacks,you will dull a Forward as well.

16-099C – Merald

Soiree Members coming out in full force.

Let’s give this Common some great enhancements, depending on how many Soiree Members are being played.

2 for Haste.
4 to Break.

I’ll need to check out some of these Soiree decks.

16-100L – Y’shtola

Every time I see a new Y’shtola card, I think to myself, I should start playing FFXIV again.

Can Scions make it once again in the Meta? I don’t really follow it, but I haven’t really heard about Scions recently. First it was Marche/Ritz, then it was Samurais, Sky Pirates, Kingsglaive and and now Soiree and The Black Waltz.

But, I believe Y’shtola can give Scions a new Pulse.

 

16-101C – Yuke

Another backup Backup.

Keep Yuke on the field until you need to use him.

After that dull, return to hand, play and Break a Forward.

 

 

16-102R – Lann

For the cost of a Monster, Lann becomes a decent card.

If you decide to remove a Monster from the Break Zone after you play Lann, he’ll gain 2K power, and you’ll dull a Forward during each of your Attack Phases.

You can also use that same Monster to pay for the cost to play Lann, thus killing 2 birds with one stone.

 

16-103C – Larva

Like this Monster.

Larva has some use, but he’ll be perfect for Lann.

Or, just play Larva to Break a Forward, and then put him in the Break Zone to see what your next draw will be.

 

16-104R – Reeve

This Reeve is more like Reeve from the game. Think about it.

Reeve comes in and you play a Forward from the Break Zone onto the field. That Forward could very well be Cait Sith.
Reeve cannot activate during the Active Phase simply because he will be controlling Cait Sith, and will be too busy to be doing anything else.

Which makes me think if we’ll be getting a decent Cait Sith in the near future.

Resurgence of Power, I’m looking at you.

16-105R – Reynn

Just like Lann, Reynn has pretty much the same abilities as her brother.

Only difference is that she gives another Forward Haste.

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Master of the Shijin

“… It is time to reap your reward.”

Kirin

6CP – Earth
Forward
Category : XI
Job : Kirin
Legend
9000 Power

Brave

“Kirin cannot become dull by your opponent’s Summons or abilities.

The Job Shijin Forwards you control gain +1000 power.

When Kirin enters the field, reveal the top 5 cards of your deck. Play 1 Forward of cost 4 among them and return the other cards to the bottom of your deck in any order.”

This will make some interesting play. I was just talking about how they should make an Archfiends deck. And, they listened. Sort of. We now have Kirin & the Shijins, coming to a bar near you. Playing all your favorite oldies. Ok, I got a little carried away.

Kirin comes in lets you hopefully play a Shijin from your deck to the field, and give all the Shijins +1K. And since he comes in with Brave, and cannot become dull by Summons or abilities, Kirin looks like he’ll be around for a long time.

Now let’s take a look at the Shijin.

Suzaku, Seiryu, Byakko and Genbu.

They all have one ability that reads. “If you have a Job Shijin in your Break Zone, the cost required to cast (card name) can be paid with CP of any Element.” Why is this important? It’s the basis of the whole strategy. You shall quickly discard the First Shijin to pay for Kirin, and hopefully you’ll find a Shijin.

And can’t forget about the EX Burst “When (card name) enters the field, you may search for 1 Job Shijin Forward other than Card Name (card name) and add it to your hand.” You’re already adding Shijins to your hand after you, hopefully, play one from Kirin’s ability. You’re likely to swarm the board pretty quickly here.

But, that’s not all.

Each Shijin also has a 3rd ability.

Suzaku – “When Suzaku attacks, choose 1 Forward deal it 5000 damage.”

Seiryu – “Seiryu cannot be chosen by your opponent’s abilities.”

Byakko – “When Byakko attacks, choose 1 Forward. Dull it.”

Genbu – “If Genbu is dealt damage, reduce the damage by 3000 instead.”

Other than searching for each other, these cards really don’t play well together. But, I’m sure with help from other cards these can do some damage to your opponent.

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Crystal Dominion – Opinion on Lightning

15-085R – Aquila EX

Hmm, I’ve been trying to figure out how much this card will be used.

On one hand you’ll be gaining a Crystal once per turn when you cast a Summon. And at 3 points of Damage you can grab a Lightning Summon from your Break Zone when Aquila enters the field. Which makes him a 2 cost.

Now that I’ve written it out, I can see some use with Aquila. And of course, I just realized he is a Forward. 8K body.

Let’s give it a try.

15-086R – Axis

I seem to be missing the point here. If someone can enlighten me, that would be great.

Probably need to look into other Kingsglaive cards.

The only thing that I can come up with is, put Axis into the Break Zone and grab a Forward. When Axis is put into the Break Zone, Nyx gains Haste, or you can choose 1 Forward and dull it. But, that’s only if Nyx is already on the field.

 

15-087C – Aranea EX

Mono-Lightning/Dragoons

That’s what you will be playing. Grab a card one she enters the field and at 3 points of Damage all the Dragoons gain +2K.

If she had more than 3000 Power, this card would have been at least a Hero. But, that’s just my opinion. Aranea might have been the card, that will make me want to try a Dragoon deck. Nothing crazy, just enough to give your Dragoons that extra bit of Oomph.

15-088H – Vayne

This is interesting.

You finally have another use for backups, with an on entry ability. and no other use after that. Remove 2 of them from the game and play Vayne for free, technically.

And, then one Vayne is on the field all your Forwards gain 2000 power and your opponents lose 2000 power. It’s kind of Like Titan, but better.

 

15-089C – Sky Soldier

This is what you call an ace up your sleeve.

You’re eyeing that one Forward that’s on the field that your opponent controls that has been causing you grief. Well this is what you’ll do. You attack with a Forward that only that one Forward can block and when that one Forward blocks your Forward, you’ll dull Sky Soldier and then that one Forward, that blocked your Forward will break once your Forward deals damage to the other Forward.

Capiche?

15-090H – Odin

Break a 2 cost or a 4 cost Forward.

Cause that’s what Odin does.

Zanetsuken

 

 

15-091C – Thunder Drake

How many 2CP Forwards are being played? Well you can get rid of one with Thunder Drake. And, if that doesn’t work, you can get rid of a 1 cost Forward. For 2CP that is not bad at all.

Now the Do or Die ability, that Thunder Drake has and so many other Monsters in this set. A meat shield that you can throw at your opponent, before it rots away at the end of the turn.

 

15-092C – Sonitus

2Cp for a Backup, that when you would like to Break a Forward, you can just pay 3CP more, and receive 1 point of Damage for your trouble.

Sonitus can work as your bluff card.

Just have him out on the field. He’ll give you 1CP every turn and he just might stop your opponent from doing something just because he is on the field.

 

15-093R – Tredd

For 1CP this card is great. Even if you just throw him in there to give a Forward +1K and Brave, and then use him to block an attack. You’re already ahead of the game. I’d play Tredd every turn if I could. In and Out.

Or, you can just put him in the Break Zone yourself, to give a Forward +3K and First Strike until the end of the turn.

 

15-094L – Nyx

Slowly removing the Kingsglaive from the Break Zone will make Nyx more powerful. You probably won’t have to use it every turn, but just knowing that you can makes it even better.

Or, you can remove 5 Kingsglaive from the Break Zone and search for a XV Forward of 5CP or less and play it on the field. A card like Ardyn (15-129L) would be a perfect candidate. Especially late in the game.

Nyx>Ardyn>Win

15-095C – Ninja

Enter the Ninja, and gain a Crystal.

Other than that, dull and put Ninja into the Break Zone to deal a Forward 1000 Damage.

 

 

 


15-096C – Noel

For a Common, this is a pretty decent card.

You can go all out with Noel, as when he is blocked he’ll deal 6000 damage to the Forward and then his attack will deal another 6K, which will most likely finish off your opponents Forward

 

 

15-097H – Feolthanos

There is something about this card. Only thing for certain is that you’ll be playing Feolthanos during your Main Phase 2. After
you’ve attacked with all your Forwards.

And if you’re playing an all Forwards deck, you won’t even need to worry about losing your Backups, because you won’t have any n the first place.

 

 


15-098C – Pelna

Simple, yet effective Backup. I can see an Earth/Lightning deck with just Noctis and Crew and the Kingsglaive, all going strong.

And, the +2K Power isn’t too shabby.

 

 

15-099C – Magitek Armor

5CP to enter, then dull and discard 2 cards, is a little too pricey to break 1 Forward.

I’ll pass.

 

 

 

 

15-100R – Ragelise EX

Here is Lady Lilith’s Crystal Maker.

There’s a good chance a Forward will enter the Break Zone at least once a turn.

And, at 3 points of damage, you gain a Crystal when she enters.

What shall we do with all these Crystals?

 

15-101R – Ramuh

Lightning Re-Print, but, it’s a decent one.

Pick 2 of the 4 Actions.

Not bad at all.

 

 

15-102H – Lilisette

Dull 1 Dancer to dull a Forward.

Or, Dull 4 Dancers to deal 8K damage to all the Active Forwards.

Kind of like Feolthanos.

Climatic Flourish, grants protection to all Dancers.

 

15-103R – Regis

Regis comes with his personal guard. That will protect him when ever a Summon or ability chooses Regis. Sure, You still have
to play the Kingsglaive from your hand, but you will do so at a lower cost.

Other than that Regis gains +1K at 3 points of Damage.

 

 

15-104L – Lady Lilith

One of the first cards that was revealed. Lady Lilith gives us the ability to gain a Crystal every turn, by removing a card from the game.

How good this card is, will depend on how good the Crystal abilities are. Lady Lilith’s abilities, are OK. For 1 Crystal you can give a Lightning Forward Haste, and for 2 Crystals you can Break a Forward of 5CP or less.

Give me a Forward to remove with good on entry abilities, and I’ll give you a reason to gain a Crystal. Or something like that.

15-105C – Remora

Pay a Crystal to reduce the cost of casting Remora.

Other than that Remora buff up one of your Forwards and reduce the Power of one of your opponents Forwards. What’s the word? Deflate? Gimp?

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Rebellion’s Call & Kain

Well, I was wrong on who is going to be on the Box Art. I was close though. I said it could be Leon or Queen Hilda. What we got was Minwu. Minwu? Why Minwu? Is it perhaps to tell us that this set will be all about protection. Probably not. Minwu as we all know was the one who helped Firion, Maria and Guy, after they were beaten to a pulp by the Black Knights. So, I’m guessing support. Or just a little bit of everything as usual.

3 Legacy cards once again. nothing changed here.

-Firion (6-019L)
-Veritas of the Dark (8-136L)
-Y’shtola (12-119L)

130 card + 10 starters and 22 Full Arts leaves us with one more card, which will probably be another Crystal. 21 cards per element and 2 and 2 for Light and Dark.

We did get a look at some of the cards. Just artwork, but you can tell Serah, Penelo, Cissnei, Glaciela And Exdeath are all Forwards. And we know that 3 of them are Legends. Serah, Glaciela and Exdeath. Penelo is a Hero, Cissnei a Rare. And Our Summon Atlas. Just a Rare as well.

From these cards without knowing what they do. I’m interested in Cissnei and Glaciela. We always need more Turks support. Along with the Avalanche Vs Shinra Starter deck. I’m hoping we’ll be able to make that deck stronger. Turn Turks into the next Scions. We already have a great Starter Deck. Give us more cards to Overpower it now.

 

 

Speaking of Starter Decks.

Golbez Vs. Cecil

I wanted to write Golbez Vs. Kain for some reason.

You can actually say Kain Vs. Kain. As he is in both decks. Which Kain will reign Supreme? The one with a Evil Warlock in his corner, Or the one with a righteous Paladin?

 

Starter Cards

Fire
– Kain (17-131S)
– Zeromus (17-132S)

Earth
– Scarmiglione (17-133S)
– Baigan (17-134S)

Lightning
– Edge (17-135S)
– Kain (17-136S)

Water
– Rydia (17-137S)
– Rosa (17-138S)

Light
– Cecil (17-139S)

Dark
– Golbez (17-140S)

We’re seeing characters in elements that they haven’t been before. Kain makes his debut in Fire, and Rydia in Water. And Golbez is now a Dark card. That’ll be 4 different elements to his name.

(Hmmm, I wonder if we’ll ever get a Character that has a copy of himself in all elements. I’m guessing when it finally happens it should be Kain. But, that’s a story for another day.)

Full Art Foils included in this set as well. Both Cecil and Golbez will have one. I can’t say I know how these decks will play out, but they will be here before we know it.

Do you think Minwu was a good choice for the box art? Let us know.