Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 8/9/18

let's talk fftcg!

Every week, there is something new to discuss and analyze in this game. In this feature, we answer your questions and respond to recent developments, new meta decks, specific cards we like or don't like -- you call it, we'll answer.

This week, we're coming out of GenCon and the meta is quickly establishing itself after the release of Opus VI.

If you want to join the conversation, send us your thoughts! We would also love to hear the questions you have next week, so please shoot us a message at Facebook or on Twitter. Thanks for reading!

what's one card from opus VI that impacted the meta more than you expected, and why?

AUSTIN: I'd say Cid (II) 6-045. I really wasn't expecting people to brew around with it as much as they did. I initially wrote the card off since it was only grabbing 1 CP Backups and thought of it more of a Title card. It obviously has legs as a deck though. 

ADAM L:  Leila 6-126. I knew it'd be good but not in as many decks as it is now. Seems like everyone is trying to jam it in.

ADAM D: Nidhogg 6-130 is getting played in way more winning decks than I expected. Even though the card is 9 CP, it definitely provides you with 9 CP of value, sometimes more. Even so, I thought the cost would be too prohibitive for competitive play.

DANNY: Leila 6-126 has singlehandedly brought Vikings into the limelight. There are Vikings everywhere. Ability to flood the board to create pressure, as well as blockers, while generating resources is very good. Who would have guessed?

JOSH: I find that Leila has had a huge impact on the meta due to Viking decks popping up and doing well all over the place. The card draw and early pressure that she enables is pretty nutty. You can easily put down 3 Forwards in a turn and not lose very many cards in hand by abusing her ability to bring Vikings back.

TREVOR: Leila - initially was placed on my "Interesting Tech" list, card has been able to provide fringe decks with the necessary stall and ramp needed to become competitive.

After GenCon, what deck surprised you the most and what do you think people should do about it?

AUSTIN: I am really surprised the Viking decks are doing so well. I get they can get a lot of value, but I was just never big on the deck itself. But people really seem to be digging it. I think this makes way for older cards that haven't seen a ton of play lately to come back around (Cyclops 2-107, Valefor 1-198,  Orlandeau 1-126 etc...) I also think The Emperor 5-036 might be the next thing in Ice instead of discard.

ADAM L: Definitely rebels. I knew Cid (II) was good but that deck was insanely good.

ADAM D: Seeing Josh's 5 Color deck go undefeated in Swiss at GenCon was really awesome. I don't want to say it surprised me, because I have lost to that deck a ton of times, but I did not even expect him to play it in such a raw meta. I love that he did and got his victories in. It takes a lot of reps to know what he is planning to do with those 50 cards, and it's impressive that he piloted it so well with a wide open field.

DANNY: FF II deck that took 2nd was a surprise. It was a deck that I was very interested in crafting but never quite figured it out. Showed off the power of the II characters, as well as Cid II. People should look to decks such as this in their crafting; color fixing is better than ever and being experimental reaps benefits

JOSH: I believe the FF II deck was the most surprising to me. I really enjoyed watching it play and even though I didn't get to play against it, it looked like a very tough matchup. They run a ton of Forwards and have a very strong removal package which makes the deck hard to deal with. One of the best things you can do to combat that deck is kill off Cid (II) from the backup line to it makes it harder for the deck to color fix. I haven't formulated a solid plan yet due to not having many reps against it.

TREVOR: I think for the most part Gencon panned out pretty similar to most people's expectations. The most notable being the two Cid (II) lists. A lot of people had that card on their radar, but maybe not this early in the season. Hecatonchier 1-117 seems to be a fun answer.

Is there a card in Opus VI that people are still sleeping on?

AUSTIN: All jokes aside of the "stare at the sun" face, I think Cid (XI) 6-009 is being slept on. It might be because people have been so low of Fire for a long time, but 4 CP to boost your field by 3k is a huge swing at the end of the game. In the right deck in can be back breaking, like a bunch of 2 CP haste Forwards with Gadot 5-005R and then all of those 2 CP Forwards are now 10k and beating face. I think this card should be tinkered with more. 

ADAM L: Zell 2-008. I think people still think he's underwhelming. Wait until you break a Leyak 5-071 with it.

ADAM D: I don't think anyone is sleeping on Cid (II) necessarily, but I don't think his power level has been fully seen. I want to see him with an Estinien 6-088 deck, or with other Wind backups that activate other backups so that you can use his ability multiple times in one turn.

DANNY: Two choices for me here for the same reason: White Mage 6-047 and Hraesvelgr 6-127. Both are able to punish decks relying heavily on recursion. White Mage in particular is able to fizzle recursion abilities on the spot. Hraesvelgr provides options on entry but his ability to exile an entire Break Zone can be crippling when played at the right time.

JOSH: I think not enough people are aware of the power of White Mage. I know our test group is because I've been abusing the crap out of it being able to dismantle Viking recursion and just any style of recursion out there. I know I'm able to win the mirror match for my Rainbow Control Deck on White Mage alone. 

TREVOR: Ironically, I still think people are sleeping on Cid (II). The card is going to break something wide-open.

What card from older sets got the biggest boost in power from the new set?

AUSTIN: I feel like from what we've seen it is the Viking cards.

ADAM L: Easy. Viking 4-133C

ADAM D: If you aren't running Shadow Lord 4-148L now, it's at your own risk.

DANNY: Gonna go on a limb here and say cards that can AoE for 3000 damage (Valefor, Royal Ripeness 5-007, Orlandeau) as Vikings have become the meta. On the same hand, I think we’re going to see  a lot more of The Emperor 5-036 as he absolutely punishes Viking decks. This is my new spicy inclusion into my decks.

JOSH: I think Viking got a huge boost because of the new Leila. Being able to flood the board and not lose card advantage in your hand can be a big deal. 

TREVOR: Shadow Lord or Cyclops 2-107 for sure. So much value.

What's your favorite pauper deck, and why?

AUSTIN: I haven't actually played the format or really delved into for that matter. I am however, excited to try out the Lightning Wind "Disciplinary Committee" deck I put together.

ADAM L: Mono Fire. I feel like Gadot may be the best pauper card.

ADAM D: Chocobos. Adam likes his chicken spicy.

DANNY: Haven’t played pauper unfortunately. It’s something I’d like to try out though!

JOSH: Dragoons can make a very strong pauper deck. They have so many good commons/rares that in a pauper format can be very hard to deal with. Also they have access to some pretty good summons.

TREVOR: Dragoons. Cheap + Big + Fast + Built In Combat Tricks