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Emissaries of Light – Thoughts on Earth

16-064C – Dark Knight

Not the best way to start off with Earth, but you can play 3 Backups in one turn at 3 points of Damage if you already have 3 Dark Knights in your hand.

Not much else to say.

 

 

16-065C – Amber EX

Here is the searcher your Soiree deck needs.

4CP to grab a card.

I’ll need to get all these cards together and figure out what’s going on.

 

 

16-066R – Heretical Knight Garland

I like this card.

Garland buffs up one of your Forwards into a Berserk Behemoth, or something of that nature.

+4K power and Brave, is no laughing matter.

And plus, if you keep enough CP available, Heretical Knight Garland is almost indestructible.

16-067L – Aerith

No need to grab your Phoenix Downs, Aerith will raise herself from the dead.

3 turns is all she needs.

She’ll be back in no time, Block, Attack all you want. You’ll probably be able to get into a rhythm here, and have all 3 Aeriths recycling themselves in a way that as soon as one is broken, remove from the game, and on the next turn, yours or your opponents she’ll be back on the field ready to block. All she needs is Haste.

 

16-068C – Eiko

10K Damage?

That’s a lot for a common Backup.

There might be some use to Eiko.

 

 

16-069C – Ciaran

Low cost Forward that can reach up to 9000 Power.

And, that Special Ability. Gets stronger with each Backup you control.

 

 

 

16-070L – Kirin

Kirin and the Shijin. Sounds like Hootie and the Blowfish.

What you don’t already know is that Kirin has the “Power of Love”. Just ask Doc Brown.

He’ll buff up the Shijin with +1K power, and when he comes in, Kirin allows you to play a 4 cost Forward from the top 5 cards
of your deck. That’s almost like grabbing Marty McFly to play at your Prom.

 

16-071C – Gladiator

Another Backup on Standby.

Keep Gladiator on the field till you have received 5 points of Damage. After that dull, return to your hand, play Gladiator, put him in the Break Zone and give all your Forwards +10K and Brave.

And, this is just a Common.

 

16-072C – Beastmaster

Looking for an Energy drink?

Beastmaster will let you grab a Monster when he enters the field.

Yeah, that one was cornier than the other ones.

 

 

16-073C – Benjamin

They finally added a Mystic Quest character to the game. All we need now is 8bit FFI characters. Come on Square-Enix you can do it.

High cost, high power. And Benjamin gets stronger at 3 points of Damage.

Throw him in late in the game and you’ll also Break one of your opponents dull Forwards.

 

 

16-074C – Cactuar

Break a Forward with this Summon, but Cactuar carries some drawbacks. Unless you want to deal yourself some Damage to get the benefits of all these Earth cards.

 

 

 

 

16-075R – Shinju

I think this card is the base of Soiree, as she allows all the different elements to be paid using any element.

Grab Shinju with Amber and watch Soiree unfold before your very eyes.

 

 

 

16-076R – Sophie

She was banned, but now she’s back with a Vengeance.

Sophie’s first ability comes off of Sophie’s Second ability.

If you’re playing high cost Characters, Sophie will be dealing 10K damage to one of your opponents Forwards. 12K if you have Enna Kros as a Backup.

 

 

16-077R – Terra

Terra might fit in a Fire/Ice Category VI deck. Or you can just go all out and grab all the VI Characters and go 6 element FFVI.

Someone out there, already knows how to use this card, and that person is not me.

 

 

16-078C – Demonolith

I remember a card like this in an earlier Opus, but that was a Summon.

Demonolith stays on the field until you want to see your next draw. And if you ;like it, you can keep it. If not just chuck them to the bottom of your deck, and hope for 2 better cards.

 

 

 

16-079H – Hades

The 2 cost Monsters in this deck are something. Each one I keep seeing is a card you’d easily add to your deck.

Hades here, let’s you discard a Backup to draw a card. And, you already know that there are plenty of Backups whose only purpose is to come in and use their on-entry ability. Now you have a way to get rid of them to play another Backup.

But, that’s not all.

Hades can make some of your opponents Forwards vulnerable.

As, whenever a chosen Forward is dealt Damage, that Forward will be broken, and sent to the Break Zone.

Relm is going to have some fun this Opus.

16-080H – Madam Edel

Madam Edel has been name dropped throughout this set, and now we can finally see what she is made of.

Madam Edel is the Forward your opponent will be trying to remove once she is on the field.

Madam Edel grants Protection to all the Morze’s Soiree Members. No Summons or abilities will be able to lay a finger on them.

And for 4CP, you’ll be able to grab a Morze’s Soiree Member from the Break Zone and play it on the field.

16-081R – Mira

We mentioned Relm earlier, but Mira here, will be able to take the reigns just as well.

Mira comes in and lets you play a Monster onto the field, and it all depends on how much Damage you have received. The more Damage the stronger the Monster.

 

 

16-082H – Mont Leonis

Well, you’re always going to be using that first ability. And, we mean always. There’s no reason not to. It doesn’t cost you any CP, and at the same time it gives Mont protection from damage dealt by Summons and abilities.

Taunting Blade? Yeah, it has some use. Mont attacks and uses the ability to take down the Forwards that are blocking him.

I still don’t like Mont.

16-083H – Layle

Depending on which side you’re on, Layle can either make or break you.

Everyone will attack and block, unless there are no more attackers for the blockers to block.

And, with Brave, Layle will be pulling double duty on both sides.

If you need to, you can always give Layle +1K to help him survive.

 

16-084R – Leslie

Leslie is your infiltrator, allowing him to dispose of your opponents Forwards from the inside. He’ll sit perfectly in a Mono-Earth deck as that will be the only way to be able to pass Leslie on to your opponents field.

Once he is there, your opponent will need to choose 2 Forwards and hopefully they’ll be sent to the Break Zone along with Leslie.

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Emissaries of Light – Opinion on Ice

16-022R – Erwin

Wasn’t I just talking about discard?

Actually I’ve been talking about discard since Physalis came out.

But, Erwin here also comes with 4 or more Job Morze’s Soiree Member stipulation. And this is the second one we’ve seen.

I’m more interested in what other cards I shall find.

 

16-023H – Agrias

This is one Knight I can stand behind.

I’m guessing you’ll already be playing FFT/Knights or some sort, making Agrias a 2CP/8K Forward that gains a Crystal every time she attacks.

I’ll take 3 please.

 

 

16-024H – Vincent

How about a way to stop your opponents Backups from activating?

Vincent here has got your Back(up), dulled up and not being able to activate. Which is a pretty good deal if you ask me. And, that’s not even taking into account his S ability. Making Vincent near invincible to all Damage.

 

 

16-025C – Bard

Another card that you can place on the field, until you need to use his ability. Then you return to hand and replay it, to put Bard into the Break Zone and make your opponent discard 2 cards from their hand.

 

 

 

16-026L – Cloud of Darkness

Removal of the Crystal kind.

Cloud of Darkness + 2 Crystals = 1 Forward removed from game to the 2nd power. Make any sense?

And +2K at 3 points of Damage.

Looks like too much math over here. Is there a Full Art of this card?

16-027C – Black Waltz 1

Same as Black Waltz 2.

“There’s more to this card than just the Beautiful (yes, a capitol B) artwork.

Black Waltz 1 can work wonders all by himself.

Black Waltz 1 discards Black Waltz 1 from your hand. And you deal 4000 Damage for discarding Black Waltz 1 from your hand, and 7000 Damage to a dull Forward when you discard a Job Black Mage from your hand.

You’re either Breaking 1 or 2 Forwards with this ability.”

Well, almost the same.

16-028C – Shiva

Break a dull Forward.

Depending on what you’re playing your opponent will discard a card from their hand. Sometimes. Not all the time.

Meh.

 

16-029R – Shelke

This card should have been WoFF/VII. Would have made more sense.

I think I like this card. Works just like Meltigemini (8-128R), but Shelke only works in your favor.

There’s something else I wanted to say, but I must have forgotten. Something about Vincent, but I went and looked at that card again and couldn’t remember what it was.

And, don’t forget about Countertek.

16-030L – Shantotto

Shantotto is now Ice??? What has this game come to?!?

This is a great card. Shantotto still does what Shantotto does.

If you’re playing a discard deck, you’re already ahead as you’ll end up paying only 1CP for Shantotto and you’ll grab a card from the Break Zone. Technically they’re paying you to cast Shantotto. If that’s not enough well then, that’s all Shantotto does.

Unless you decide not to play Shantotto and just remove her from the game from your hand, and You’ll dull all your opponents Forwards.

That is all.

16-031R – Scarlet

Scarlet took her sweet time to appear in FFTCG. Only 16 sets.

Interesting.

1CP and dull Scarlet for a Development Counter. Choose 1. Next turn 1CP and dull. Choose 2. And so on and so forth.
The longer Scarlet stays on the field, the harder time your opponent will have getting anything done.

Is Shinra about to become a threat?

Yes, I did base that off of just one card.

16-032H – Serah

You’re playing a XIII deck with Ice? Hmm, just grab the XIII starter set and your set. Either one will do, and throw Serah in there.

That’s the easy way out.

Decent card though. Your opponent discard a card, and you draw a card.

But, what I really want to know is … Are we gonna get a new Fang?

 

16-033C – Celes

Hmm, Celes is taking Jihl Nabaat’s duties. But, for Backups.

Ice is getting good cards.

 

 

 

16-034C – DG Sniper

If you got 2 DG Snipers you can Break a Forward when the second one enters the field.

That is if you have some Crystals stashed away.

 

 

 

16-035C – YKT-63

YKT-63 can play well with DG Sniper.

That way you’ll only need 1 DG Sniper instead of 2.

YKT-63 is also a little cheaper to play.

 

 

16-036C – Devout

Simply play this card for the Crystal, and to have your opponent discard 1 card.

 

 

 

 

16-037R – Babus

This one is a fun card.

Instead of you choosing what this card does, your opponent gets to choose whatever he would like inflicted on him.
I mean, I’d play it just to have them decide on what they get to do. Or not do.

 

 

16-038H – Byblos

We talked about Byblos last month, but now you also get to see all the cards that will play well with Byblos that just came out this set.

It seems like every other Ice card stated, “Your opponent discards 1 card.”

Lots of Ammo, for Byblos in this set.

 

16-039C – Heavy Armored Soldier EX

Here we go, search for a Standard Unit, or more specifically DG Sniper.

5CP is quite high for a search, but you can also search for a Standard Unit off an EX Burst.

 

 

 

16-40R – Mustadio

A free card to play during your opponents turn after you made your opponent discard a card from there hand.
Or even during your own turn. I’m sure you already have plenty of cards in your hand that will cause your opponent to
discard a card from their hand.

Dull a Character when Mustadio enters the field, and gain a Crystal when he is put into the Break Zone.

 

16-041C – Yunalesca

Play Yunalesca to discard a card, to make your opponent discard a card, to play Mustadio.

I’m sure there’s a better use for this.

 

 

 

16-042R – Lasswell

How is this just a Rare?

I would have made Lasswell a Hero.

Every time a Knight enters the field, Dull and Freeze 1 Character?

And at the end of your turns if Knight attacks your opponent discards a card.

All this for only 2CP. 5000 power is easily fixed by Ovelia (1-156C) and Duke Larg (1-057R)

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Energy Rain

I like it. The card. Not Tidus, but I can respect him as a Character.

Tidus – 16-116L
Water
Forward
Guardian
Category : DFF – X
Power 7000
Legend

“Tidus cannot be blocked.

When Tidus is put from the field into it’s owner’s deck, draw 3 cards.

When Tidus is chosen by your opponent’s Summons or abilities, you may put Tidus at the bottom of it’s owner’s deck. When you do so, choose 1 Forward opponent controls. Put it at the bottom of it’s owner’s deck.”

What an interesting card.

Tidus here does what Tidus does. If you already read Richelle’s article I won’t repeat what he said, but I was going to say the same things. Now I must try and find another way to word it.

First off Tidus’ 3 abilities are great on their own. Unblockable Forward with built in protection that will have your opponent struggling to keep him of the field.

The best part of this card is that, even though he only has 7000 power it doesn’t really matter because he can’t get hit. So, buffing him up wouldn’t really matter.

Between this Tidus and the Starter, they’re both great cards. It’ll be hard to choose which one to play. But, I believe this one has the edge.

Just don’t forget to play Brother (1-197S) which will allow you to search for Tidus whenever you play him.

Let us know what you think, in the comments.

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Emissaries of Light, Thoughts on Starters

16-131S – Jecht

A FFX Starter Set with a card that deals damage to a Forward for each Category X character you have? Who would have thought?

Jecht shines a little more than that. You can put Jecht into the Break Zone and search for a Light or Dark card. You’d think it’s to search for Tidus, which can be true, but Jecht is here to find himself. And bring Sin into your hand, and pretty much break a Forward.

 

 

16-132S – Bahamut

Another Bahamut for a “Free” play. That is if you got 10 Fire cards, or FFX Characters in your Break Zone, and Mootie (11-012C) on the field.

Other than that, you’ll most likely remove a Forward from the game. Be it your opponents or your own.

 

 

16-133S – Braska

A 2 cost Forward with an easily accessible Special ability that deals 7K Damage to a Forward. And you don’t dull Braska when it goes off. So depending on how many Summons you have in your hand, you can start shooting down Forwards left and right. (Correct me if I’m wrong on this)

Braska’s second ability is a little trickier to pull off, due to the Elements needed to activate it. But it is very well worth the cost, as it deals your opponent one point of Damage.

 

16-034S – Yuna

Plenty of Yunas to choose from.

Play a 1CP or 2CP card from the Break Zone onto the field. Activate all the Backups you control. and All the Guardians gain +2000 Power. Now, all three of these abilities will only go off, if Yuna enters the field when you have 5 points of Damage.

 

 

16-135S – Lulu

I don’t know. Something tells me this card would have been better as a Backup. Being a Forward means that Lulu can be easily broken by your opponent.

But, then again Lulu comes with some built in protection. In case you haven’t noticed.

Lulu enters the field. You search for Yuna, or a Summon if Yuna is already on the field. When Lulu attacks and your opponent Blocks her, all you have to do is cast a Summon. Doesn’t matter which one. Because when that Summon is cast you can choose the Attacking Forward and turn his Power 5K. And since Yuna is already on the field, Lulu gains +2K power, thus making her 7K and successfully beating your opponents Forward which now has 5000 power.

16-136S – Auron

Auron has turned into a Meat Shield, as all Summons and abilities must choose him. And, that’s ok. Because other than just blocking your opponents Forwards, or taking a hit from Summons and abilities. Auron will let you draw a card when he enters the Break Zone.

 

 

 

16-137S – Rikku

I like this Rikku.

Because once per turn you’ll be able to get rid of one of your opponent’s Forwards.

And depending on if Yuna is on the field or not, you’ll be drawing a card as well.

 

 

16-138S – Wakka

I don’t know. I still think the Opus I Wakka was the best one. Same can be said about Shantotto.

But, being able to Break a Forward for a couple of Reel counters isn’t too shabby.

 

 

 

16-139S – Tidus

Tidus really puts this whole Starter Set together. You’ll either be playing Tidus for free, or you’ll be playing him early on to start getting all the pieces out, as you’ll be searching for Jecht, Yuna or Wakka.

And that is not all.

+2K to all the Forwards, every time the Tidus attacks.

Oh, and did I mention that this one comes as a Full Art Foil?

16-140S – Sin

Sin does what Sin does.

Destroy everything.

Unless you already have received 6 points of Damage.

I can already hear everyone complain about the unoriginal artwork for Sin.

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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.