Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 3/14/19

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.

We took a break last week, awash in news of spoilers and tournaments. This week, we’re back with Shane Duckworth from Legendary Wolf Games!

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 spoiler do you think is gunna make the most waves in the meta, from what you've seen so far?

SHANE: The 2CP Water Zidane that draws 2 cards upon dealing damage. I've played a lot of CCGs since 1999 and a lot of cards with "draw 2" printed on them are very strong. Opus 8 Zidane is very low input for very high output, and water has a ton of bounce effects to remove opposing forwards so Zidane can get in there and easily draw you 2 cards. Other notable cards I have seen is the Ark Angel that deals 2 points of damage at once and the Lava Spider that increases all your attacking forwards by 3000 power. They finally gave Fire some busted low input high output cards and I think they will shake things up.

STEPHEN: Meltigemini, which says the power of forwards cannot be increased by summons or abilities, seems incredibly annoying to deal with. Shutting off anthems, pumps, and some text on Wol seems very strong.

CHRIS: I think it will be zidane. The card is really explosive and demands an immediate answer.

ADAM: Lunafreya is a card I’ve been especially focused on for what it does to Diabolos. Lots of Forwards that are hit by Diabolos have an ETB, especially Water ones like Lenna / Cloud of Darkness. It gets my pick because all you have to do to get value off it is play Water, whereas a lot of other cards in the set have a bit of a “build-around” requirement.

Are you looking forward to drafting Opus VIII?

SHANE: I'm looking forward to it. I'm not the biggest fan of playing draft because I love constructed so much, but it's always fun to crack open the packs and pass cards around the table.

STEPHEN: I am very excited to play sealed but not draft. Seems like less backup snow will be a good thing for limited.

CHRIS: While I'm not much for limited, this set looks like a blast to draft.

ADAM: I guess so, sure. I think it will be more fun now that we have see some of the cards, and it certainly looks like the set is built to support draft.

Which keyword is more powerful in this meta: First Strike or Haste? Why?

SHANE: I've played a lot of games where the following phrase is said, "How many Haste forwards do you play?" or "I just have to hope you don't topdeck into any of your hasty boys." Haste is by far the best keyword in the game, and unless something drastic happens, it will probably always be the best keyword in the game. I learned FFTCG during Opus 6, and I won the Las Vegas qualifier two weeks later with a Wind/Lightning chocobo rush deck that won every game on turn 3-5. FFTCG is designed to be a midrange game. It feels like there is some kind of unspoken agreement to play backups for the first few turns. If you can apply pressure turn 1 and keep it up every turn after, almost every deck is forced to deviate from their standard gameplan.

STEPHEN: I think haste has always been better than first strike given the power level of one of the best cards in the game, Illua. Furthermore the strength of tier A decks like Scions and mono fire warrior of light rely on haste quite a bit

CHRIS: Right now I think it's haste, we have a guy that hits for 2 and a guy that draws you 2 when he hits! Haste all the way!

ADAM: I feel like Haste is the easy answer but I want to say First Strike, because sticking a Forward with First Strike makes combat very awkward for an opponent. Unfortunately, First Strike only applies during combat and not through Hecatoncheir effects, so that makes it a hard argument to win.

Do you think we'll see two-deck format return in the near future?

SHANE: I would not be surprised if it did. I think the two-deck format is very limiting to newer players as it requires more cards, but on the upside, FFTCG is relatively inexpensive to play and usually the players are friendly and lend out decks for these kind of events. Alternatively, I would rather see a 3V3 format where you form a team with two friends and you're all playing different decks, and two players on the team need to win in order for the team to advance.

STEPHEN: I hope 2 deck format comes back. We can only wait and see. I abhor 3 deck format because it seems less like series play and more like 3 Bo1s. Series play is what separates good players from excellent ones and the twist of 2 decks is spicy.

CHRIS: Maybe. I think it's something that is still trying to be figured out. I'd like it to come back just so I can play more decks!

ADAM: Not that it is up to me but I sleeve my decks around the two-deck format, and I hope it becomes a thing. I’d rather see that at a Crystal Cup top cuts rather than draft.

Will we keep seeing things like the Element dice (assuming we get them in the US eventually)?

SHANE: I was just at the Kansas City Petit Cup and one of the players completed his set of element dice, so the US definitely has all of the element dice unless I'm thinking of something else. Square Enix handed out two different kinds of Final Fantasy stickers (black and white) at the Kansas City Petit Cup, and they are awesome! People go crazy over that stuff, and I would like to see more things like that.

STEPHEN: I think so. I love the water wind dice and want to snag a pair somehow. I think the dice have been a crowd favorite

CHRIS: I hope so...the only thing better than swag, is final fantasy swag!

ADAM: I have really enjoyed every non-card promo so far in this game so I really hope that continues in some fashion.