Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 2/7/19

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.

This week we are joined by the Turks to answer so questions as the fan fair approaches. Be sure to follow their content as well here

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!

Based on the first set of spoilers for Opus VIII, what archetype are you most looking forward to playing first?

STEVEN: Fire since it that's the most info I have thus far.

CURTIS: Honestly, all of the spoilers so far are on point. In my opinion, almost all of them are really good and can open up a lot of possibilities. At this point I am really interested in Fire; Marche is kind of amazing. A pseudo-2cp ExBurst forward that gets you any red card? Seems good to me. With Meeth being a card it seems that Fire might have a lot of good filtering tools. I have been playing the game since the start and I have never taken Fire seriously nor ever cared to seriously play a deck that had a majority of red cards in it. If more of the Fire cards are actually good like Marche, I might.

ADAM D: I am obsessed with the Forward who brings a 4cp Wind Monster into play when he hits the break zone. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to exploit, and maybe it will not be enough to make monster decks competitive again, but it’s a good start.

CHRIS: After seeing Laswell I’m excited about doing fire ice or wind ice and after seeing Gladio I'm ready to jump back on the mono earth train too!

Do you feel that there is any card the game could benefit from by being limited to 1 copy per deck?

STEVEN: No either ban or allow 3

CURTIS: If Square decided to limit certain cards to 1 per deck, my votes would go to Y’shtola and Diabolos. Y’shtola is dumb. Green cards are the best thing since sliced bread. Everybody places so much emphasis on cards that provide immediate value (i.e. auto abilities) and Y’shtola stops all of that. She is too good. Whiffing a high cost summon like Phoenix or Diabolos will straight up lose you a game; a-well timed Y’shtola completely shuts everything down. As the game ages she will be even more powerful which is stupid.

My reasoning for Diabolos being on my hit-list is that with the current meta-game, the game can become unhealthy over time. If you haven’t noticed, the top decks are WIND/water and Earth/WIND, with the third being debatable. Both of those decks play 3 copies because realistically, at most, Diabolos will be 2cp and has four amazing effects that can win the game on cast. The plethora of green cards has made playing any 5 drop a complete liability. Sure, no forward is really safe but at least 4 and lower forwards can only be killed when paired with another card. I think the dev team has always treated 5+ drops as “bosses” but if every deck is strapping 3 Diabolos then people will avoid touching them unless it’s absolutely necessary which I think kind of limits the game. Diabolos should have cost 6.

I doubt Square will actually limit anything anytime soon but I do think that every card game needs a ban list at some point. However, with FFTCG’s “S” mechanic, I think that this game will have a harder time implementing a traditional ban list. But that’s another topic for another day.

ADAM D: I really think it would be okay to reduce Cactuar to one copy per deck, or at least remove its standard unit designation. I don’t think it’s unfair, I just think it would open the deck building options up for wind / earth which have an auto-pilot mode that you don’t want to ignore with Dadaluma / Cactuar.

CHRIS: That's hard to say at the current juncture, but down the line I could see cards with tremendous power levels like Ys’htola or Dadaluma being limited to 1 per deck.

If you could ask 1 question to the panel at the Fan Fest what would it be and why?

STEVEN: Why haven’t we explored loot cards for FFXIV in FFTCG seems like something that can only be beneficial.

CURTIS: Why isn’t Square promoting FFTCG in its own games? For any readers not familiar with our Turks podcasts; we have always made it a point to address the marketing/promotion in the game. It seems to be picking up now, but it feels like a lot of opportunities are being missed. Square has so many games. FF14, Brave Exvius, and all the mobile titles; there are just so many. Yet, nothing about the TCG. Loot cards have been mentioned before and it seems like it could drive product. Hell, you could even program actual replicas of FFTCG cards into FF14 as special drops in game. While raiding you could pick up Yda’s card in the game or whatever iconic character in the FF series and people will look at it and go WTF? Final Fantasy has a card game? DB Super is just as young as FFTCG is, yet so many more people play that mess of a game. Their events are huge compared to ours. Why is that? Because they actually promoted it in all of their products. Sorry for the rant. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.

ADAM D: What is the design process like when it comes to writing a card for a character with well-established lore?

CHRIS: When will I get a Ultros card and will it be amazingly obnoxious. And why? Because it's the most important question that needs to asked.

If you had to pick 1 card that currently you feel doesn't see enough play right now what would it be and why?

STEVEN: Garnet L card is really strong but doesn’t see enough play since water is still focused on Vikings.

CURTIS: Well in my mind, anything that is underplayed is probably underplayed for a reason. I don’t really have any card per say that I think should be played more, but I do have a couple of cards that have been forsaken that I find amusing. The main card that fits that criteria is Cid II. That card was the bee’s knees last opus and it’s basically nowhere to be found. It can still provide good CP value but no one seems to like it much. Godspeed. Your candle shed a brief, but lovely light.

ADAM D: Water Legendary Cecil, because his abilities are really intriguing. I don’t even mind that he is hit off Diabolos.

CHRIS: Right now I think Guy(Earth) doesn't see enough play and as to why? It has to be because he just doesn't fit in a lot of the meta decks but I think in a meta full of Yuri he could do a lot of good.

What prizes do you like to see up for grabs when thinking about going to an event?

STEVEN: Play Arts Kai/character specific trophy that are unique to an event similar to the LQ Minfillia Trophy but a different character and only available for a unique event so it is truly 1 of's

CURTIS: C.R.E.A.M. I’m always a fan of a cash payout for events but I know that Square probably doesn’t want to move in that direction. I wish that they did though because I think that Magic and Hearthstone’s competitive events have more allure because of it. I really want this game to be big and money is a universal motivator. But, if not cash, then I think the prizes should be exclusive to the TCG. Custom trophies are such a cool thing; the LCQ trophies are so beautiful and I will always keep mine around. The definition of timeless. Play arts figures are cool and I like plushies, but if I really wanted those I could buy them. Give me something that I can’t. Give me something that will make me want to hone my skills and compete. It needs to be exclusive.

ADAM D: I get a kick out of non-card, licensed prizes. Plushies, dice, playmats, anything.

CHRIS: The only prize that matters.....seeing the community! But honestly I'm a sucker for the play arts. Those things are real hype.