Posted on Leave a comment

Lumina – Card Analysis

First off, let’s check what I wrote when Opus XIII : Crystal Radiance came out.

“13-085R – Lumina

3CP to search for a XIII forward. Nothing exciting, but you would think that they would have done something better for Lumina.”

Have no fear, we will go into a deeper analysis today.

3CP – Lightning
Backup
Mysterious Woman
Rare

“When Lumina enters the field, you may search for 1 Category XIII Forward and add it to your hand.”

Now, when I said nothing exciting, I meant just that. Lumina is considered a Trickster in the game, so, you would think that she would do something devious to your opponent. Don’t get me wrong, you can never have enough searchers in your deck.

At the time of this writing, there are 93 Forwards that Lumina can choose from. There are FFXIII Forwards in every Element except for Dark. There shouldn’t be too much of a problem finding a Forward to grab from your deck.

Most of the cards in the FFXIII Custom Starter Set are great candidates for Lumina to search for. Especially that Light Lightning. You cant go wrong with that card.

I’ve looked long and far, and can’t remember if there is a card that searches for a Lightning Character, Backup, or any Character for that matter. I might be wrong, and find it later. And, If I do, I shall update this post.

Posted on Leave a comment

Resurgence of Power : Break Like the Wind

18-035R – Arc EX

Play Arc, hopefully grab a card from the top 5 cards of your deck.

One thing is for certain though. Arc needs at least 4 different elements on the field to become useful. But, he should play well into a Warrior of Light deck. Faris will be a great addition to it as well.

When you finally have 4 Forwards with different elements on the field, all of your Forwards will gain 2000 power.

 

13-036R – Iris

Fits great into the Noctis deck that recently came out.

For 2CP Iris just keeps on giving, as every time a XV Forward enters the field, Iris will activate, allowing you to use her again for a Crystal Point.

Not only that, but you can use her ability to protect a Forward from one of your opponents abilities.

She will pay for herself after a couple of turns. Think of it as getting interest on the CP you paid to cast her.

18-037C – Delusory Dragoon

Comes in with Haste, and when he comes in he grants another Manikin Haste.

Straight to the point, and that’s about it for this Manikin.

3CP for this card isn’t all that bad either.

 

 

13-038C – Kytes

Sky Pirates making a comeback? Maybe, if Kytes has anything to say about it.

Simply Speaking, Kytes can go from 4CP to technically being cast for 1CP. As if you find a XII Character from the top 3 cards of your deck, Kytes will activate, allowing you to use him for a Crystal Point.

Now, if you decide to use his ability, right after he has been activated, you can Activate 2 of your Characters.

I can see Kytes being played and right away using his ability to activate 2 Characters. It can happen easily.

13-039C – Ranger

Not many Forwards or Monsters that cost 1CP, but those Monsters and Forwards that cost 1CP will be easy to Break with this Ranger in your hand.

 

 

 

 

18-040H – Cerberus

Cerberus has 3 on entry abilities to choose from, and depending on your situation, there will always be a good reason to play him.

1) Get rid of that pesky High Cost Forward that seems to be foiling your plans.
2)Activate all your Backups.
Or
3)Draw a card.

After that you are more than welcome to turn him into a Forward with a 9K body. Just as long as you already cast at least 2 cards this turn.

18-041C – Colkhab

Colkhab does have an interesting ability, but I’m thinking why would any one choose Colkhab as the target of a Summon or ability?

Sure, he is more of a meat shield as his 9K body will show you, but other than that there isn’t really a threat that he poses. Maybe once your at 3 points of Damage and his power becomes 10K, but even then.

There are far more important Forwards that should be dealt with before Colkhab.

But, if you’re able to save a Forward from Extinction might as well.

18-042C – Zhijie

I’m thinking they made this card to make the Opus VIII Final Fantasy VII Starter Set more viable. Especially with the new Yuffie.

Zhijie allows you to search for FFVII Forward, and that is about all he does.

Only problem is that you can only use his ability after he has activated. This would have been a better card if it was an upon entry ability.

 

18-043C – Thief

Discard Thief, draw a card. And, that’s about it.

Cheap Backup to play.

 

 

 

18-044R – Sherlotta

5CP to search for a card. I personally think the cost is too high, but you can search for any card. No restrictions here. I do like that you can use Warp to have her come in for only 2CP. but you’ll have to wait 2 turns for that.

I do like the art though.

 

 

18-045C – Dryad

For 2CP you can easily Break a Forward, depending on how many Wind Characters you control.

But, do you want to pay the extra cost to draw a card? Doesn’t seem like a bad deal to me. Especially if they’re cards you have no use for.

 

 

18-046R – Gnash

“Kevin” Gnash comes in and delivers a Jackknife Powerbomb to an unsuspecting Forward or monster of cost 4 or more. That is if you decide to pay the extra cost, but then again why wouldn’t you.

That alone is worth playing this card.

But that’s not all, on your next turn you can use his ability to deal a Big Boot to a 2 cost or less Forward and break them as well.

18-047H – Bartz

Oh, man!

Just look at that. Bartz is as always a Freelancer first. Thus allowing him to be any Job any time he enters the field. Imagine playing let’s say Cadets. You throw Bartz into the field and say his 3rd Job is Class Zero Cadet. Of course you’ll be playing with a full board of Cadets.

Bartz will gain +2000 power for each Cadet Forward that is on the field, thus making him very hard to beat.

Also, when you choose his 2nd Element, Bartz receives protection, in that he cannot be chosen by Summons and abilities coming from a Character or Summon that has the same element as Bartz.

This is a very interesting card.

18-048R – Poppy

Perfect for Wind/Ice or Wind/Earth. If you don’t believe me just read the card.

Wind Forwards will be getting free strikes, since they cannot be blocked by a Forward of cost 3 or more.

Ice Forwards will gain +1K power and First Strike

Earth Forwards will gain +1K power and Brave.

And Multi-Element Forwards will gain 2 of these 3.

Just throw her in the Noctis Starter Set and you should be good.

18-049R – Yuri

You better have a bunch of Crystal Chronicles Characters if you plan on using Yuri. Well at least another 2.

Yuri cannot be chosen by Summons or abilities. Because he has Self-Protection. But only when his Crystal Chronicles friends are around. If not then he’s just a regular Joe.

But, whenever he attacks, or enters the field, he can activate 2 Crystal Chronicles Characters.

A friend indeed.

18-050L – Yuffie

I really like this card. Had a chance to play with it during the Midnight Pre-Release.

For 5CP Yuffie comes in. She already has Haste so she can attack right away. But, I would let her sit back and attack after all the other Forwards attacked.

Once she attacks, she gains +1000 power, and cannot be chosen by Summons or abilities. Not only that, but she also activates all your Forwards. No more worrying about who is going to block, when they all can.

And Doom of the Living, her special ability is a damage dealer. Dealing 24000 damage to your opponents Forwards. Of course you’d have to choose the Forwards and then divide the 24000 among them.

I’ll take 3 and Zhijie to look for her.

Also a gold stamped auto wouldn’t hurt either.

18-051C – Leafkin

How is this a Common?

It allows you to play a 5 or 6 cost Forward straight from your deck, without paying the cost. Sure, you’ll need to have 3 points of damage to do so, but still.

People would still be playing this card even if that Forward was just added to your hand. Not many cards will allow you to go and search for any Forward you like.

You can splash a card like Behemoth K in a Mono-Wind deck, and that’s only the first card that popped into my head.

I’m sure this card will see plenty of play. I’ll take it and search for Yuffie while I’m at it.

Posted on Leave a comment

Emissaries of Light – Thoughts on Wind

16-043H – Atomos

How good do you think this card is?

Very good? I agree.

Atomos is currently auditioning for a role in Re-Animator, but this version of the movie will be called “Re-Activater” along side Rikku (2-071R). They’ll be bringing your Backups back from the Dead.

 

16-044L – Wol

Wol is here to make all your powerful Forwards, even more powerful. Not being able to be chosen by your opponents Summons or abilities. And, drawing a card when they come in.

Drawbacks?

Those Forwards need to have a cost of at least 5CP.

 

16-045C – Gargoyle

See, like Gargoyle here, The Forwards protected by Wol will not be able to be broken.

But, if Wol isn’t on the field, Gargoyle can take care of that pesky high cost Forward that is troubling you.

And then for 1CP you can take a sneak peak at the top 2 cards of your deck. If you like them, keep them. If not, just move them to the bottom of your deck, and hope for better cards.

16-046C – Chocobo Chick (VII)

For some reason I thought this card was a Backup.

But, even as a Summon, you might get some use out of this card. Pay 4 CP to activate the 4 Backups you just dulled to draw 1 card.

There might be something I’m missing.

 

16-047R – Sherlotta EX

Whatever happens Sherlotta is giving you at least 1 Crystal.

After that she will block Forwards until she is sent to the Break Zone, and give you another Crystal.

Or just chuck her from your hand for 1 Crystal.

 

16-048H – Zidane

Like we said earlier. Lani/Zidane Fire/Wind decks are coming.

Now we just need to find a way to keep bouncing Zidane back and forth.

Over and Over again.

Take control of your opponents deck.

 

16-049R – Seiryu EX

Another Shijin

4CP/7K. You’ll search for a Shijin upon entry, and Seiryu also comes in with built in protection.

No need for Wol.

 

16-050H – Ceodore

Ceodore comes in causes havoc, if you decide to dull 3 FFIV Characters, you can Break 1 of your opponents high cost Characters.

Ceodore seems to fit well into a Category IV deck. Simply because all his abilities involve IV Characters.

Real Sherlock Holmes here.

Tell me something I didn’t know.

Well, you can play Ceodore for free with Cecil. We’ll get to more about that in a moment.

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.

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.

16-052C – Selkie

There’s a couple of cards we’ve seen so far that break Characters of cost 4 or more. Wol will be a card that I can see many people use do to the protection Wol grants.

But, we’re talking about Selkie here.

Selkie can sit on stand by until you need her. And, when you need her, at 5 points of Damage, she’ll break a Character of cost 4 or more. Take that, (insert pesky forward here.)

 

16-053H – King Tycoon

King Tycoon banishing most of your opponents board, because that’s what Kings can do.

As soon as he enters the field, you can return all the Forwards and Monsters your opponent controls to their hand.

Or just some of the cards. You don’t want to return any of the cards that have On entry abilities.

 

16-054C – Chocobo

The pixelated Chocobo, comes in and grabs a 2 cost Character or less from the Break Zone.

If you’re playing Chocobos, you’ll probably end up grabbing another Chocobo.

 

 

 

16-055C – Chocobo Sam

Chocobo Sam knows where all the Chocobos are. That’s why you’ll play him and find a Chocobo. Specifically Chocobo (6-050C). That way you’ll be able to play a free Chocobo every time it is your turn.

Plus, giving a Chocobo +3K for a turn let’s you know you’ll have the extra fire power if needed.

 

 

16-056R – Fat Chocobo

Fat Chocobo has one job.

That is to let you grab a Wind card from your hand at the end of each of your turns. If you’re playing Chocobos this might be a decent card to throw in your deck.

And for a simple dull, you’ll be able to play a Wind Backup once per turn.

And, keep a Fat Chocobo in your hand, because if Fat Chocobo gets hit by a Summon or ability, that 10K will keep him alive.

16-057C – Ninja

Uhm, well …

Removing 2 cards for 2000 damage?

I think I’ll pass.

 

 

16-058R – Fina

Comes with built in protection.

And, gives you the option of canceling an auto-ability, when she’s not even on the field. Sure you’ll need at least 4 Wind Backups on the field to be able to use it, but Fat Chocobo will be there to help you out with that one.

 

 

16-059C – Pecciotta EX

Is Morze’s Soiree Member going to become something?

Pecciotta here will help it become it. Activating all of Soiree when he enters the field.

The more I see these cards, the more I want to give it a try.

Time to crack open some Emissaries of Light and find all the cards I need.

 

16-060C – Madam M EX

I’m starting to see a pattern with all the Wind cards this set.

Madam M comes in and let’s you grab a Wind Character, if you find one when you reveal the top 4 cards of your deck.
Other than that, this 4 cost Backup is technically only 2CP.

 

 

16-061R – Yuri

Just like I just said, Yuri does the same thing as Madam M, but better.

This way you might actually play a card straight from your deck onto the field.

Or you can just grab any card if you can’t find a 3CP Wind Character.

 

 

16-062C – Lexa

Protect Madam Edel, that is Lexa’s job. More on that later.

A simple 2 cost Backup, that dulls and grants a Soiree Member, or Madam Edel +1K.

 

 

 

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.

Posted on Leave a comment

Opus XIII – Lightning Review

13-069C – Red Mage

Maybe I’m wrong about these cards. Might just be a good way to draw a card.

 

 

 

 

 

13-070C – Delusory Warlock

Here’s another card that will drop Lightning Exdeath’s CP by 1. And you also get to search for a Manikin. Double win.

 

 

 

 

13-071R/2-101H – Exdeath

And this whole time I thought this was a new card. I just realized it’s a reprint. No wonder it’s only a rare. They gave this card the treatment Chaos, Walker of the Wheel (3-071H) got. It’s still a good card, and now everyone has a better chance of grabbing this card in a pack to play Manikins.

Exdeath gives all Manikins +1K, and every Manikin gives ExDeath +1K. So, the more Manikins you have, the stronger ExDeath becomes.

The Main Attraction of your Manikin Deck.

 

13-072R – Odin EX

Coming off of an EX Burst this card is great, and even better after you’ve taken 5 points of Damage as the cost is only 2CP.

I think the 7CP Odin is slight better as you can Break any Forward. Even if the cost is a little higher. Or, you can just play both.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

13-074C – Clavat

Not bad, breaking a Monster that is also a forward, or returning it to it’s owner’s hand. You can even use it on yourself

Want to return that Chocobo (6-050C) to your hand, to play it and play another Chocobo onto the field? Well, you can.

 

 

 

13-075R – Sakura

4CP to Break a 4CP Forward. Sounds like an even trade.

 

 

 

 

 

13-076R – Jake

Don’t see this one getting play when you can play Jake (8-097H).

 

 

 

 

 

13-077C – Zemus

At 3 points of Damage this card pays for itself. As you get to grab a Forward and a Backup. Might see some play late game, if you need to grab a couple of cards back.

 

 

 

 

13-078C – Propagator

Cheap Monster that might break a Forward, but that is highly unlikely. Becomes a Forward with 7k at Damage 3, which might be a reason to play.

 

 

 

 

13-079L – Behemoth K

Now this Behemoth is a Beast with a capitol B. Attack, Deals Damage, Gains 3K. Only way to get rid of him is with a Summon. Or Shantotto (1-107L). But, you can always just play him again.

Scary Good. I’ll take 3 please.

 

 

 

13-080C – Marach

Just entering the field and Pinging all your opponents Forwards except one that they choose for 4000 Damage is a good reason to play this card. Add in Rapha (13-082C) for an extra 1K every time Marach deals Damage.

 

 

 

 

13-081H – Lightning

Beautiful artwork. If nothing else that by itself is a reason to play this card. That and the fact that you can either remove a couple of Forwards your opponent controls, or a couple from your Break Zone, until Lightning leaves the field.

Either way you’ll benefit as your opponent won’t be able to play their cards, and you’ll have a couple of extra Forwards in your hand when Lightning leaves the field.

 

 

13-082C – Rapha

Combined with Marach (13-080C), these two will make a killer combo. Enter Marach, Deal 5000 Damage to all Forwards except 1. And then Dull Rapha and deal 4000 Damage for a total of 9000 Damage.

Most of the time your opponent will only have one Forward left on the field.

 

 

 

13-083H – Lid

Lid is a mix between Viking (4-133C) and Fat Chocobo (9-051R) in that she can add a Multi-Element card on entry when she leaves the field. Now, it won’t always work as you can only choose the top four cards of your deck.

Other than that she’s a 7K forward.

 

 

 

13-084C – Dragoon

If you’re playing Dragoons, this is a 2CP/8K Forward with Haste. If not, don’t bother.

 

 

 

 

 

13-085R – Lumina

3CP to search for a XIII forward. Nothing exciting, but you would think that they would have done something better for Lumina.

Posted on Leave a comment

Opus XIII – Earth Review

13-052C – Abyss Worm

For it’s cost this is a great card. Giving a Forward +3K and Brave, is good enough for this 1 cost. But the fact that it turns into a Forward at 3 Damage, makes it even better.

 

 

 

 

13-053R – Alexander EX

Hmm, I don’t know if I would use this card much, but keeping one in a deck for the rare chance that it’ll pop out after you’ve taken 5 points of Damage might be worth it.

 

 

 

 

13-054C – Lady of Antiquity

Reducing Exdeath’s (13-071R) CP doesn’t seem like a big deal. You still have to pay 5CP, but the second ability will let you play a 6 color Manikin Deck, in which the aforementioned ExDeath will be your main attraction.

 

 

 

 

13-055C – Ingus

+1k and Brave to a Standard Unit or Warrior of Light. Alexander EX (13-053R) seems a little better as you can choose any character. But, Ingus can use his ability once per turn.

 

 

 

 

13-056R – Vanille

I’m actually surprised this card is only a Rare.

This card will pay for itself, if your opponent does not get rid of it soon enough. There are plenty of cards you can play every other turn unless your opponent finds a way to Break Vanille. All these High cost cards will be Free plays from Your Break Zone.

Vanille Deck in progress. Just Vanille and High cost forwards.

 

 

13-057H – Graff

A constant +2K during the Attack phase. Main Phase the Forwards will still have their regular power.

 

 

 

 

13-058C – Sherlotta

Perfect to use in any 2 color deck. Even three. Or as many as you’d like. Tyro (11-072R) does this better, but Sherlotta is only a 2 cost.

 

 

 

 

13-059H – Scarmiglione

Trying to Break a Forward, well have I got a card for you. Scarmiglione here will double the damage dealt to a Forward. Any Forward. Ping it to death, till it lies broken in the Break Zone.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

13-061C – Hugh Yurg

4CP/8K who might have Brave depending on your cards. Decent Common.

 

 

 

 

 

13-062H – Bhunivelze

10CP for 10K. But you can find a way to get him down to Free, if you’re playing that many colors. As the game goes on, Bhunivelze just keeps getting better, and better. 3 Damage – Brave and Double Attack. 6 Damage Break a character every time Bhunivelze attacks. Times 2

And the fact that you can play this card from the Break Zone with Vanille (13-056R), I wouldn’t be surprised if this was in every Earth Deck. Simply just because you can.

 

 

13-063C – Monk

If you’re playing Monks, this is a good card. If you’re not, it’s too expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

13-064R – Yang

If you’re playing Mon…. I already said that. Yang will give your Monks a boost. High powered Forwards with Brave. Add Enna Kros (1-095R) and they will have an extra 1K. I saw that Monks already took first place, and Yang was a part of that.

 

 

 

 

13-065R – Rydia

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

 

 

 

 

13-066C – Lilty

Ice/Earth or Earth/Lightning take your pick. Or neither, With Tyro, you can choose any element you’d like. Discard or Break. The choice is yours.

 

 

 

 

13-067L – Leo

You might be able to play a high cost card for a couple of CP, depending on how many Crystal Chronicle Characters you’re controlling. Vanille (13-056R) is the better choice in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

13-068C – Alchemist

Just like Black Mage (13-005C). This card will work if you splash a single Ice or Wind card. Because then you’ll now exactly what you’ll end up with. Other than that. NEXT.