Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 9/27/18

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.

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!

This week, we're joined by John Schreiner from EXP Plus! John is one of the main guys behind the EXP Plus website which features a podcast and articles on FFTCG aimed at improving skill, as well as exploring the mechanics behind this game. Give them a read and you won’t be disappointed!

What kind of deck do you plan to build with Krile?

JOHN: I think the most exciting thing about Krile is that her Job is Warrior of Light! She's in the element that has some of the strongest synergies with the Job and also has the strongest synergies for multi-element play. I think Krile opens the door for a lot of creative multi-element builds. I am definitely excited to try her in a rainbow Warrior of Light build!

VINCE: Planning on Warrior of Light tribal. Probably Earth Wind.

CHRIS: I think she fits in a few shells. I personally like her in a straight mono Earth build that already runs a Warrior of Light package.

ADAM: I’m hoping this Krile will be the card I need that finally helps me build a Summons-matter deck with Minwu 6-123 and Garnet 3-129. Most likely, though, I build her into a Warrior of Light build. The best part about this card is that every single part of it matters and has synergy with a lot of different builds. I hope we see more cards like her in the future.

What expectations do you have for the Heroes and Villains decks, in terms of competitive cards?

JOHN: I think that the Heroes and Villains decks offer players who are newer to the game an easier path to grabbing critical competitive cards like Genesis 3-033 and Amon 2-098. I'm excited for the Ice-element Emperor backup that has an EX burst come-back mechanic. It could be a really powerful card in Vicekings!

VINCE: Generally looking forward to the same level of starters that have been out out before. Good solid decks that let new players get a good feel for the game. Really excited that Legends get introduced as part of the starter.

CHRIS: I think the cards will be good, but I don’t think they will be extremely powerful. I think they will be on various levels and probably play very well with the cards in the Starter decks. I would like to see them be playable on the level of a card like CId Raines 1-192.

ADAM: It’s hard to really answer this question directly, but I think the theme continues from the Starter decks and we have some solid foundations out of the Heroes and Villains decks. I’m hoping Wind Cecil will have a lot of text on him, at the very least.

Which single card do you think will have the most appearances in the Day 2 lists from US Nats, and why?

JOHN: Thaumaturge 5-040. It's a staple 3-of in Vicekings, Turbo Discard, and almost any Ice deck. A close runner-up would probably be Viking 4-133 just because of the popularity of the Leila/Viking engine.

VINCE: Genesis 3-033. He is far too good, and fits into way too many decks to not see major play on day 2

CHRIS: It has to be Thaumaturge. If I had to pick a second card, it’s got to be Leila 6-126.

ADAM: I bet it will be Leila. We’re at a point where Mono Water and Water Ice are two different decks but both are very competitive, and both rely on her presence.

Are there any cards from past sets that you think become big winners already from the Opus VII spoilers we’ve seen?

JOHN: All of the Job Warrior of Light synergy cards are about to explode in popularity. With Sol, Bartz, and Krile all revealed to be strong Warrior of Light cards, I think that cards like Aria (III) 5-123, Sarah (MOBIUS) 5-085, Wol 5-146, and Warrior of Light 2-145 are about to boom in popularity. I'm also excited for them to print a new Faris and Lenna card, so maybe King Tycoon 3-059 can finally see some play.

VINCE: Kelger 3-108. Hopefully, he cheats in Dawn Warriors and he may bring Galuf down with him. Other than that, Sarah (MOBIUS) is going to be great!

CHRIS: It’s hard to see but I think Noctis opens a lot of doors for other cards to see more play or be used in different ways, such as Bahamut 6-017.

ADAM: I think that any card named Cecil is a big winner right now.

What are the FFTCG sleeves you would buy for your favorite deck, but do not yet exist?

JOHN: I would love to see sleeves of the iconic confrontation between Alexander and Bahamut in FFIX. It's a really awesome scene and probably one of my favorites from the older games. Of course, I'm also a sucker for FFVI, so I'd like some character sleeves or Ultros sleeves from that game as well!

VINCE: Personally: the original concept art for Kefka Pallazzo!

CHRIS: Well, I got my FFVI sleeves so that’s been nice to have Ol Reliable in, but if I had to see something new it would be some Final Fantasy Tactics sleeves. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone on that one.

ADAM: I’d pretty much buy anything with Amano art from FFVI.