Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 2/14/19

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 a few of the RVA locals to give their opinions on things.

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!

Has Yuri been good or bad for deck construction?

RON: Throughout this set, I’ve had a love/hate relationship regarding Yuri. To keep it short though, as it stands, I believe Yuri has ultimately been bad for deck construction because of how versatile he is. He single handedly provides the answers for elements to deal with problems they struggle with naturally. He’s similar to The Emperor (Opus 2) in that way. Basically, Yuri makes deck building easier (for some) but not better.

COLIN: In my opinion, Yuri has been good choice for deck construction. The way the card impacted mono color decks was surprising, because I originally thought you would only see him with the FFCC package and that was where he flexed his strengths (granted it’s an insanely strong deck). At the beginning of Opus VII, we saw Ice, Lightning, and Fire decks putting this guy in to either make up for what the element can’t do or just give the deck a boost. Now we’re seeing people put Yuri in their Mono Water decks over Fusoya which although I wouldn’t do, presents another playstyle. Basically, he’s another choice a player must make when choosing a light card over something else.

MATT D: I think it has been both. For the good side, it allows elements to have access to some abilities they don’t normally have like dull and freeze or direct damage. For the bad, it adds yet another game way to target cards like Dadaluma. It the card targeted only opponent forwards I think the card would purely upside.

JONNY: Yuri has been great for the Meta in the sense it gives elements answers outside of its archetype. It's bad in the sense that no other light card can stand against it.

What will Ark Angel HM do to the meta?

RON: Ark Angel HM will quite possibly break the meta lol. Fire just got the card that basically when you see red cards being played you have to keep this guy in mind throughout the entirety of the game. For 5 cp (Ark Angel HM and Haste Sage), if you have no answers or blockers this guy wins the game because you thought you were safe for a turn.

COLIN: I think Ark Angel HM will prove to change how people treat Fire. The idea that if Fire can keep this guy from not being blocked and you’re now a third of the way closer to losing the game is a scary thought. Players are already making decks that are faster to outpace combo decks that seem to be dominant in the meta right now, so a guy like this is clearly a frontrunner in decks that want to finish the game in 5 minutes. In the future, people are going to want to either A) have an answer (which there are arguably a lot of) in hand for this guy as soon as they see a fire card or B) play fire. Because if this guy is a Rare, then what the heck are the Heroes and Legends going to be able to do.

MATT D: I think it’s going to tilt the meta in a bad way. Due to the cost, he is coming out very quickly. And he is hitting for two damage turn 1 before the other person gets to go. He also swings as a 9k whenever he attacks so it will cause players to rethink how the block as well.

JONNY: Ark angel HM will most likely cause a increase of low cost removal as well as cause games to be much quicker.

What are your thoughts on Boss Battles?

RON: I’m a real big fan of Boss Battles as a format and it’s actually pretty fun to watch on stream. I would, like most everyone, want an official list of the altered cards before I dabble in it myself but until then it’s nice seeing everyone else’s take on it.

COLIN: Boss Battle looks like an enjoyable format and a casual way to have fun with other players. From what I saw at Fan Fair, it looked like it was a decent challenge for both the “Boss” and “Heroes” to be able to overcome the challenges that both sides present. If Square wants to see it be played more at side events or at home with the players, either a product needs to be made so everyone has a basis for what the villain deck is like or have an official page that lists what all cards can do inside the villain deck. The initial rules pages that were released are a good start, but it would be great to know if there are other cards like Exodus that don’t affect the villain but affect everyone else, like Famfrit for example.

MATT D: I think it’s a super fun concept. MTG has something very similar. Like it was pointed out on the podcast, I think they could box up some decks and sell it as a game night type game.

JONNY: Boss battles is a very interesting format. I like it a lot but seems like it needs some tweaking to make it balanced.

If you could design one card what would it be?

RON: Biting a little from chapters but maybe I’ll speak it into fruition lol. Kadaj Job: Remnant Ice 4CP 8k When Kadaj enters the field, choose 1 forward dull it. If you control another Job Remnant freeze it as well. Remove Card Names Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz from the game: Search for Card Name Sephiroth and play it to the field. You may only use this ability during your main phase and if Kadaj is in the break zone.

COLIN: Iris, Forward, Attribute: Earth, Cost: 3, Job: Girl, Power: 6000, Category: XV, Ability: If you control Card Name Noctis or Card Name Gladiolus, Iris gains +2000 power and Brave. (Dull): Choose a Forward. It gains +1000 power. Something like that, because Iris is great, and I don't think we'll ever see her Demon Slayer version.

MATT D: I would love to see the Aeons and Guardians be character cards. In FF XIII they fight along side each of the character. It would be nice to see in FFTCG. Maybe put a turn limit on them so they are not out the whole game.

JONNY: I , and I can't stress this enough, would love to see a card that punishes your opponent for drawing outside their draw phase. Not some BS like 3 cost ice emperor.

If you could pick 1 faction from any game to be a part of what would it be?

RON: I tried REALLY hard to not pick Returners but to no avail. Gonna have to stick with my favorite characters and also cards in this game.

COLIN: I would like to be a member of the Tantalus Theater Troupe. I would have normally said make me a member of SeeD since VIII is my favorite game, but something about flying around in an airship, stealing stuff, and performing for people might beat out training to beat a sorceress than can compress time by a smidge.

MATT D: I would want to be the L’Cie. Although branded as terrorists, they still fight to not only save the ones they love but also are fighting to make things better.

JONNY: Lunaria....we from the moon my dude.