Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 1/10/19

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.

Joining us today is recent FFTCG World Champion, Alex Hancox! The man behind Exdeath The Wizard shares his wisdom and insight and gets us started in 2019. GIve his page a follow, if you haven’t already.

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 was your favorite FFTCG experience from 2018?

ALEX: Winning the European Championship. That’s right, Euros not Worlds. I’m sure Worlds is more of a meaningful victory than Euros to everyone else, but Euros felt like me at my best as well as everyone else at their best. Worlds didn’t. Worlds felt like I was the best headless chicken in a flock of headless chickens. It was all over the place.

ADAM D: We drove up to Canada from Virginia for a Crystal Cup, two cars and there were six of us total. That whole trip was like one constant, revolving joke fest, and in the middle of it I got to meet a lot of great people from around North America. It was my only Crystal Cup experience in 2018 but I’d bet all of them were that fun. I’d highly recommend it.

AUSTIN: I would have to say my top 3 finish at one of the LQs I attended. I misplayed on my last turn and got blown out by EX Odin (In a mono fire deck … looking at you, Austin Dickhute), which kept me from playing our very own Adam Lane for a qualification for Nats. It was just a great day riding down to VA Beach with him and getting a chance to talk about everything not just including FFTCG. It was just a great experience .

CHRIS: There were a ton to choose from, picking one is going to be super hard. But if I had to nail one down, it would probably be Nationals weekend. It was my first time in LA and being able to see so many people that I love in one place was an absolute blast.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

ALEX: As much as I love the EU structure, I’m looking forward to not having to grind every event to secure a Worlds spot. In theory I get to enjoy myself more, and focus on more community efforts than competitive ones, which I think are more important for the time being.

ADAM D: I expect more large tournaments building on the success from last year, learning from those mistakes, and hopefully I get to participate in more than just one.

AUSTIN: The continued growth of the game, and getting back into it. I've sadly been more absent for the Returners and our local scene of late and I am just excited to just play again. The game has grown leaps and bounds in such a short time and it's so refreshing to see. Also, looking for more FFVIII cards, and maybe an Ultros card. A boy can dream right?

CHRIS: This year I'm looking forward to see how the game and community grows, the competitive roadmap is laid out more people are playing and the content is hotter than ever!

Would the game benefit or suffer from one or more new Famfrit-effects?

ALEX: I feel like this question is here more to ask if we need more ‘select’ removal rather than ‘choose’. In that case, yeah I think certain elements just need more ways to remove problematic forward. Fire just can’t break Y’shtola, so I wish it would get something so it can. Basically I’m fine with it, as long as they all have flavourful variations, but only for elements that need it like Fire. No point giving Lightning a Famfrit.

ADAM D: I think a modal summon could have a Famfrit effect. If they reprinted the effect on another card, it definitely could not be on an EX Burst.

AUSTIN: This is a tough question. I think if they keep that style of effect in water, it just pushes mono water over the type. It is such a value play currently in water due to Leila/Viking and having more access to easy removal that nets cards as well might push to many people away from anything but water. However, if all the elements got something similar it could provided a much needed balance as far as conditional removal in the game.

CHRIS: That's a tough one. I think "sacrifice" effects are extremely powerful in a game like this and can easily be overpowered.

Will Dadaluma ever be irrelevant?

ALEX: Certain cards really embody an element’s identity. Genesis is the best example of that, with dull/freeze and discard in a neat borderline overpowered package. Some cards don’t, they’re just randomly really good and the developers pick a random element to throw them in, like Illua and Dadaluma. Basically this is a long way of me saying no, he’ll probably always be hanging around.

ADAM D: I don’t think Dadaluma will ever be absent from the metagame. I could see it being less oppressive, with a few card reprints.

AUSTIN: Not until be see more blank effects similar to Halicarnassus. Being that it just constantly 2-for-1s at the worst, just makes it a staple card that will never not see play. Maybe we get more AoE effects or maybe some of those Famfrit-esque cards discussed above.

CHRIS: Dadaluma is a powerful card and make no fuss about it. However he loses just a bit of his shine if Cactuar wasn't a thing. I do think he will stay relevant for quite some time.

What single track from all Final Fantasy soundtracks has the most meaning to you, and why?

ALEX: Thought about this for a while before it hit me. Battle on the Big Bridge and its variations. Probably the one from FF13-2 in particular, as Gilgamesh has a very cool intro cinematic, 6 arms, and a Bazooka. That’s about as deep and meaningful as it gets for me.

ADAM D: The World of Ruin field music that plays before you find Setzer / The Falcon. That song drips with atmosphere and the mood is so perfect for where the story is, and it sounds exactly like Celes feels. The wind blowing, the somber piano, and the organ are just perfect. It makes me pause anytime I hear it and instantly takes me back.

AUSTIN: Liberi Fatali (Final Fantasy VIII) and Delita's Theme. LIberi Fatali just tells the story of FFVIII so well. The music itself is beautiful, you get to follow along and the cut scenes paired with it are just what made my childhood fanciful. You really feel like you are caught in this world, a battle against an ancient line of sorcerers, completely helpless yet never giving up. It just makes me think anything is possible. I still hear the little sounds from the cutscenes in my head when I listen to the song itself. However, Delita's Theme just sets the scene so well for FFT. It's simple and not overly complex, similar to Delita himself, though there are such elegant and regal moments in the song foreshadowing him gaining ultimate control. There are such sullen moments of the song that reiterate all the loss he encounters and even some darker notes that show the betrayal he faces and his "betrayal" of Ramza. You just can't get any better.

CHRIS: Hands down Terra's theme from FFVI. It has been my favorite theme since I played FFVI for the first time on the SNES and the scene where Wedge, Biggs, and Terra are marching towards Narshe was the beginning of a story that would legit change my life.