Posted on Leave a comment

From Nightmares – Thunderbolts and Lightning

19-069R – Emperor (FFL)

5 cost Forward with an S-ability that has a 50% chance to turn the tide in your favor. More than 50% depending on what cards you’re playing. But, if you’re not playing any Summons or Monsters it’s 100%.

Black Box, the abilities of abilities. Depending on what is the top card of your deck you can either deal 8000 damage to all the Forwards. Dull and Freeze all the Characters, or draw 4 cards.

Either of the first 2 will be very beneficial for you.

Add Glauca to the mix and he’s only a 4 cost Forward with a 9K body.

I’ll take 3 and throw them in any Lightning deck.

19-070C – Edge

It’s all about the Shuriken Counters.

Edge comes in with 3 Shuriken Counters, each one can be used to deal 5000 damage to a Forward. He does dull when he uses his ability, but after 3 turns, you can just block a Forward and recast Edge.

This way you can have Edge on the field for most of the game, just dealing 5000 damage a turn. A nice little way to keep your opponent at bay.

 

19-071C – Elgo EX

4 cost Backup that allows you to grab a Multi-Element Forward from your Break Zone.

After that Elgo just stays on the field and produces CP each turn, as any Backup would.

His enter the field ability also comes off as an EX Burst.

 

 

19-072C – Eald’narche

5CP/9K Forward that when she enters the field you can discard a card to Break a Forward.

Any Forward will do.

In total you will be paying 7CP to break the Forward, and then you’re left with a 9K body to deal damage or block attacks.

Almost like an Opus I Odin that will Break a Forward, but you get to keep this card on the field.

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.

19-074C – Scholar

Cheap Backup to play, and is great when you have 3 points of damage.

When Scholar enters the field you can Break a Forward of cost 3 or less.

Not only that, but Scholar has an ability to deal 8000 damage to a damaged Forward. Most of the time this will break that Forward.

You get all this for 2CP.

 

19-075C – Chimera

If you don’t have a low cost Character on the field when you play Chimera, you don’t need to break it. This can also be a way to get rid of a Backup you don’t need on the field anymore to make way for a new one.

Chimera costs a measly 1CP, and it can also become a Forward.

This is a pretty decent Monster/Forward.

 

 

19-076R – Kuja EX

2CP Backup that Breaks a 2CP Forward or 1CP when he enters the field.

After that you can dull Kuja, chuck him to the Break Zone and dull a Forward.

 

 

 

 

19-077L – Golbez

Archfiends are back. If they weren’t a thing yet, they are now.

Golbez and the Warp Counters. Every time you remove one, you can play an Archfiend from your hand onto the field. They don’t even need to be a certain cost. Any Archfiend will do. And every time you do play an Archfiend, you can draw a card.
After that Golbez gives all the Archfiends +3000 power.

So many awesome cards so far, and so many decks I want to build. And so little time to do so.

19-078C – Jinnai

I don’t see it.

I mean you can pay the 4CP to activate Jinnai, to dull a Forward.

If the cost was a little cheaper, maybe 2CP it would have been better, but for 4CP to activate Jinnai, I believe there are better options to play.

But, Jinnai is only a Common, so that might be why the cost is high.

Other than that Jinnai is a 3CP/7K Forward.

19-079H – Moebius

Did I mention I like the Dream Stooges?

Well if I didn’t, now I did.

Moebius allows you to grab a Dream Stooge from the Break Zone. Which is a good thing.

If you have all the Dream Stooges on the field, they all gain +2000 power, making them a little more difficult to deal with.

I like it and I shall be making a Dream Stooge deck, just to have some fun. Add in Kefka and I can see something fun Happening.

19-080R – Vivi

Mono Lightning?

Might as well play Vivi, if only for the fact that all you’ll have in your hands is Lightning cards.

Simply play Vivi onto the field, reveal your hand and deal a Forward up to 14,000 damage.

It’s simple as that. He’s also a Forward so you can block an attack and then play another Vivi, and rinse and repeat.

Lots of value in this little play. It’s worth a try or 3.

19-081R – Behemoth

A second Behemoth in this set.

This one plays quite different then the Earth one.

When Behemoth enters the field, you can choose a Forward of 5CP or less and send it to the Break Zone.

After that during each of your Attack Phases, Behemoth will dull one of your opponents Forwards.

What you wanted to attack with that Forward? Sorry, he’s dull. Oh you wanted to block with that Forward, Sorry, he’s dull too.

If your opponent doesn’t have an answer for Behemoth, he’ll be playing with one less Forward. One he won’t be able to play again. Unless your dulling a Standard Unit, but why would you want to do that?

Did anyone notice the KO’d Onion Knight on the bottom?

19-082H – Lightning

This beautiful card comes in with Haste, And 9000 power.

It’s an interesting card if I say so myself. Because when she is sent to the Break Zone you can play a Category XIII Character from your hand onto the field.

And her other ability reads, discard Odin, and choose a Forward your opponent controls, break the Forward and Lightning.
Now, if you already have another Lightning in your hand, you can play her onto the field for free. It’ll be almost as she never left.

Who said Lightning doesn’t strike twice? Lightning can strike up to 3 times with this card.

19-083R – Ramuh

Lightning’s Free Forward is here, in the form of Ramuh.

Simply put, Ramuh deals 8000 damage to a 3 cost (or less) Forward.

That is usually more than enough to get rid of the low CP Forwards.

And, since it’s a free play, why not use it. I know I will.

 

 

19-084R – Ricard

Looks like Dragoons got a roll of the dice.

I like these types of cards, that let you reveal the top cards of your deck and hopefully finding what you’re looking for.
You won’t always get what you’re looking for, but there is always a chance.

And with most Dragoons being Lightning. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a Lightning card or two to choose from.

After the roll of the dice, Ricard has an ability that will give a Forward First Strike. You will send Ricard into the Break Zone, and that just means you get to play him again.

19-085C – Dragoon

Dragoon here comes in with Haste, and that is enough for me.

But if you’re playing with 3 different elements, and you paid the cost with 3, you can choose a Forward of cost 3 or less and Break it.

There are Dragoons in almost all of the Elements, which can make it somewhat easy to play.

Posted on Leave a comment

Resurgence of Power : Quick as Lightning

18-069C – Red Mage

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

Cheap Backup to play.

 

 

 

18-070C – Aphmau

This one looks interesting. The Puppetmaster is grabbing puppets left and right.

What do I mean?

At the end of the day, Aphmau should cost you 0CP. Simply because, if you grab the first card from the top of your deck, She’ll cost 1CP. After that at 3 points of Damage you can pay 1CP and grab a card from the Break Zone and play it straight to the field.

Plus she’ll produce CP while you wait to get to 3 points of damage.

Let’s see some decks that will make use of this card.

18-071R – August

A King that comes forth when his Knights fail.

August comes in for 0CP if 3 of your Forwards leave the field. Leaving could be Removed from the game, sent to the Break Zone, Broken, or returned to hand. Even if you lose 3 Forwards during your attack phase, you can play August during your Main Phase 2 for 0 cost.

That alone will give you a 10K body for your opponents turn. They will think twice before attacking when he is on the field.
After that when he attacks, August activates himself and August can attack once more, which after that attack he will activate once more.

It’s almost like August has Brave.

18-072C – Kam’lanaut

For a Common this is a pretty good card.

From Kam’lanaut’s 3 abilities, there is only one that would give you a reason to play him. When he attacks, you choose one of your opponents Forwards and you can Dull that Forward.

Now remember, this is just a Common.

The other 2 abilities are, that he cannot be chosen by a Multi-Element Forward’s abilities, and at 2 points of Damage he gains +1000 power.

18-073H – Garuda (III)

I’m caught in the middle with Garuda.

I can see both sides of the card, while it can be a good play if your opponent doesn’t see it coming 5 turns away. That also means your paying 10CP for this play. While it does give you a chance to clear the board if you need to, but there is a card that does this for cheaper. Shantotto, who just removes all the Forwards, for 7CP.

But, if you can get Garuda to come in off of a Warp, and actually work without your opponent preparing for it, well, you’re in luck.

18-074L -Gilgamesh

Coming in with Haste, Gilgamesh is ready to attack. And if he comes in after you have received 3 points of Damage, Gilgamesh also gains Brave, and can attack twice in a turn.

That alone would make me want to play Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh also has an entry ability in which you remove a number of cards from different elements, allowing you to Break a Forward that has the same cost as the elements you choose.

18-075R – Seifer

How much does a card from the Break Zone, +2000 power and Haste cost? Is it worth a point of damage?

If it’s the beginning of the game, and you don’t have your back against the wall. It might be worth it.

If not, Seifer is just a 3 cost Forward with a 7K body.

And the card you can grab is a Category VIII Forward.

18-076C – Cid Kramer

VIII Themed Decks could become easier to play. Cid comes in and can produce CP of any element for FFVIII cards.

That means you can splash any element you’d like, without worrying about needing certain elements on the board or in your hand to play them.

 

 

18-077R – Cid Sophiar EX

Raise your hat to Cid Sophiar.

Cheap card to play and is technically 0CP as you’ll just grab a Character from the Break Zone.

Sure, you’ll need to be at 3 points of Damage to be able to grab that card, but you can also grab that card off of an EX Burst.
I’d keep 3 of Cid in a deck.

 

18-078R – Cindy

Let’s see. Cindy is moonlighting as a Dark Knight.

We’re starting to see more abilities that deal you a point of damage to use them.

Cindy allows you to dull an opponents Forward for the cost of one point of damage. But, that cost goes away when you have already received 4 points of damage. Simply put, if you’re about to lose a Forward or be dealt a point of damage, it doesn’t make much sense.

If you’re using that ability to dull a Forward using an ability that will wipe out your board or something to that effect, it would be very wise to do so. I’m just rambling here.

Cindy does come in with Haste, and that is always a plus.

18-079R – Fujin

The Disciplinary Committee is here, although they really don’t discipline anyone, they’re just Seifer’s lackeys. And that is perfectly fine. Unless you’re Squall and Co.

Fujin Comes in and gives Seifer and herself +2000 power. And at 3 points of damage she grants another +2000 power and protection from your opponents Summons.

Only drawback is that Seifer has to be on the field to get these effects.

 

18-080C – Hurkan

A bit expensive, but Hurkan can break a Forward when he enters the field.

It also has an ability with a high cost that allows you to break another Forward.

I probably won’t be using it.

 

 

18-081H – Melusine

For 2CP you get to use one of your opponents Forwards until the end of the turn. Cost 4 or less.
Think about it.

Melusine comes in. You gain control of one of your opponents Forwards. You attack. Worst case, you break one of their Forwards. You might even deal them a point of Damage.

After that, just turn Melusine into a Forward and keep attacking until she breaks. After that rinse and repeat.

I’ll take 3.

18-082C – Imitation Despot

If you’re playing Manikins you’re playing this card.

Imitation Despot allows you to grab another Manikin from the Break Zone. And depending how many Manikins are on the field Imitation Despot can cost you 2CP.

Add in an 8K body, and that’s hard to beat.

 

 

18-083R – Raijin

The other member of the Disciplinary Committee, same as Fujin, he gives Seifer and himself +2000 power.

And, at 3 points of Damage, he and Seifer also get another +2000 power and they both can’t be chosen by your opponent’s abilities.

At the end of the day, if Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin are all on the field and you have 3 points of Damage, Seifer will have 15,000 power.

If you ask me, I’d rather play Opus II Seifer (2-110R) instead. Add an Edea to the mix and he’ll be a Monster to deal with.

18-084C – Ramuh

Ramuh is a decent Summon to play, even if you don’t pay the extra cost. Dealing 7000 damage to a Forward will break most Forwards. If you need some extra Zap in your Judgement Bolt, I suggest you remove 10 Lightning cards from your Break Zone and turn that 7000 into 150000.

 

 

 

18-085C – Dragoon

Cheap Backup to play that comes with an extra cost, if you want to use it.

The extra cost is a total of 5CP in which 2 need to be Lightning CP. If you decide to pay it, you can Break a Forward. Any Forward.

Dragoon is like Hurkan, but better. In that Hurkan will only break a Forward up to 5CP, where Dragoon can break any Forward. Good to be played in a pinch, if you have the CP.

Other than that, at 3 points of damage, dragoon gains +3000 power and Haste.

Making him a 2CP/8K body.

Posted on Leave a comment

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?

Posted on Leave a comment

Opus XIV – Lightning Review

14-077C – Ovjang

Easy way to grab a Forward of cost 3 or less that was recently broken. Any Forward will do.

But, you’ll probably want to play Aphmau.

 

 

 

14-078H – Trap Door

Trap door, if you walk through it you’ll break a Forward.

Your opponent will think twice before breaking Trap Door.

 

 

 

14-079 – Aphmau

If you grabbed Aphmau from the Break Zone, you can play a card named Aphmau from your hand for 1 Lightning Crystal Point. Doesn’t have to be this one, but there aren’t any other cards named Aphmau.

 

 

 

14-080R – Exdeath

8CP is a bit high. But, you get to do 2 things at once. Break a Forward and grab a Forward from your Break Zone that is 4CP or less.

But, you’re probably going to be playing this card for the ability, Black Hole. For 1 Lightning CP and an Exdeath you can remove 1 Forward from the game.

 

 

14-081C – Puppetmaster

Hmm, this Puppetmaster needs his puppet to dull a Forward.

 

 

 

 

14-082C – Gnath

Don’t like the cards you just drew? Just play Gnath with those 2 cards and hopefully get something better. And if that doesn’t work, Dull and Break and hopefully you’ll get something better once again.

 

 

 

14-083C – Fachan

I’d call this a ticking time bomb. Every time it ticks it gets more power. But this time bomb, you can have it go off whenever you choose to.

 

 

 

 

14-084C – Schuzelt

For Mono-Lightning this card can be great. Deal a Forward 1000 Damage and then use Grim Reaper to Break it. You can use Grim Reaper more than once.

 

 

 

 

14-085C – Sylph (XIV)

A primal activates Sylph, and sylph can dull and reduce the Damage one of your Forwards takes by 2000.

I’m wondering, what a Primal deck would look like. Every time a Primal enters the field you can activate all of your Backups.

Hmm.. Let me look into it.

 

14-086R – Heidegger

Break a Forward when Heidegger enters the field, but you’ll need to discard 2 cards. 6CP, not bad for it. Cheaper then 8 that Exdeath had.

Next turn, you can pay 1 Lightning CP, and dull Heidegger and put him in the Break Zone to add 1 Forward to your hand. If you find one in the top 5 cards.

Even Heidegger is wondering if this is a good deal.

 

14-087L – Ravana, Savior of the Gnath

Ravana can attack 4 times???

Move over Gilgamesh, Ravana has taken your spot. It doesn’t really matter that Ravana can’t gain Brave when he activates every time a Character is put into the Break Zone. Yours or your opponents.

And the Damage that he is dealt is reduced by 5K.

Gilgamesh and Ravana. Ice/Lightning. The game can be over in 1 turn.

14-088C – Mneejing

This card was probably meant to help Aphmau, but it probably won’t be used for Aphmau.

You can choose any Forward 3CP and under to use it on.

 

 

 

14-089C – Ewen

For 1CP you can Break a damaged Forward.

Nuff said.

 

 

 

14-090R – Ramuh, Lord of Levin

Unless you’re playing Ramuh early on, he is coming in with Haste.

And, you’ll be breaking Forwards left and right. You can have Ramuh on the field and cast Raiden (Revenant Wings)
(10-100C), and Break all the active Forwards your opponent controls.

Remember you heard it here first.

 

14-091R – Ramuh

Same thing as above. If you already control Ramuh, Lord of Levin, you’ll be Breaking 2 Forwards each time you cast this card.

 

 

 

 

14-092C – Dragoon

Are you playing Dragoons? You might want to pass this card, unless you can find a way to play him for cheaper. But then you still have a body on the field.

 

 

 

 

14-093H – Luso EX

I can see some playing this card. For 2CP you get to search for a FFTA2 Character, and if that doesn’t work, at least you have a blocker. That will last through one round.

Engage on the other hand, is the same as his n entry ability, except for the fact that the FFTA2 Character is played straight to the field than to your hand.

 

 

14-094R – Ravus

Plenty of Captains to choose from but, one that stands out is Captain (12-094C). I can see some shenanigans that will come out of these 2 cards.

With that being said, 1CP for a 9K body, is what you would want to play every chance you get.

A Forward losing 5K when he enters either the field or the Break Zone isn’t bad either.

 

14-095H – Roche

Roche. The perfect play Turn 1.

If he is in your hand on your First turn, You will basically, just lay the card down and deal your opponent 1 point of Damage. If not, then there is nothing special about him. Except the first time you fight him in FFVII Remake.