Cactuar Correspondence - Weekly FFTCG Chat 3/21/19
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 Joshua Freeman-Birch, of Meta Potion!
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!
How would you rank the Opus VII meta, compared to past metas?
JFB: People were completely unwilling to experiment with other colour combinations, which made the format very weird for me. There were several extremely potent colour combinations that just weren't developed, meanwhile earth/wind a relatively weak combination got so developed it was seen to be able to stand a chance against Water/Wind. As such I feel like the opus 7 meta was a failure, and a monument to herd mentality. Other opus' had far more adventurous decks being developed and played, a good example would be in Opus 4, just about everything was being refined and played making for a larger number of colour combinations doing well at events for longer into the format; naturally by the end there were some clear forerunners but at least the other colours got developed a lot and not just those decks. This could be in part due to worlds taking place just before opus 7 and the world's decks having less variation than they did in the previous year.
AUSTIN: I think the Opus 7 Meta got stale pretty quick. Maybe that is just because the decks that were the meta here in the states were elements I don't like, but it just seems to be who could resolve yuri/ yshtola first.I think That being said, I would rate the meta a 2 of 5.
STEPHEN: I think it's pretty similar to others given that we played Fusoya, Dadaluma ping, and YRP like every other set since IV.
ADAM L: I'd rank Opus VII pretty high. It was way better than the meta last set. I do think there was a good amount that was unexplored and people stuck with what a lot of people considered top tier. That being said it was very open in terms of what you can play however I don't like the direction green cards are going.
What Title decks are the biggest winners in Opus VIII?
JFB: I don't enjoy or play title format. To give a rough guess, FFXIV is probably still the strongest building up from it's 20 forwards 3p backups baseline. FFCC has enough cards to be a playable archetype so the existence of Yuri in a format with clunky removal could shake things up. FFVII got a lot this set, however, FFVII already had a lot, so I'm not sure how much stronger that deck actually got
AUSTIN: I'm not really a huge title guy, but the extra addition of FF6 cards really gave that game a HUGE boost. FFCC keeps getting better as well. 7 got a lot of interesting things, but all in all I think 9 is the biggest winner. Steiner and Garnet along are monsters and getting Madeen is a big plus.
STEPHEN: XI because now we have the GOAT aka Black Mage.
ADAM L: I think it's FFIX easy. They got so many great title cards this set. FF7 is a good winner but was already a pretty good title. The new water monster they got is a pretty big deal in title. Be on the lookout for more FFIX title decks.
Which deck do you think is the most optimized and thus has the least to gain from future cards, and why?
JFB: Optimisation doesn't actually mean that the deck doesn't gain anything from the next opus. I can name two examples that really showcase this, Urianger at the end of opus 5 and 6 was an extremely refined deck, but still changed dramatically with each opus despite being extremely refined. Another is Fire/Ice, at the end of Opus 4 it was a well refined deck, however, once opus 5 hit new archetypes became available changing the deck from a fast deck to a slow deck. So while Water/Wind currently is leaning towards the most optimised, it still has plenty of room for change.
AUSTIN: I don't think this is a fair question to ask. Decks should constantly be changing and growing, opening new lines and trying different ones to keep consistency as a premium. There is no deck that just does't add cards, and if it doesn't then it typically falls to the side once the meta was defined. No one probably ever thought Starter valefor would be a thing and then BOOM it was, 7 sets in. I think as deck builders we get int he trap of well it worked then no need to adjust, but as people continue to brew and make new decks you have to constantly be changing. Just because a deck didn't get a lot of new OMG cards doesn't mean it doesn't get optimized, sometimes the new cards create a whole new deck that is just better than the previous counterpart. I'm also just big on trying new things and typically don't use the same deck for too long, so I am always looking for new stuff. Off of the soap box now.
STEPHEN: I thought wind but I was proven wrong with these new FFCC backups but I'm going to say wind again because of these stupid FFCC backups.
ADAM L: That tough I think all decks can always receive something nutty but if I had to pick one i'd say Earth/Wind Dada. There just isn't much room in that deck to begin with without changing a lot. Also over the last 2 sets it's probably been one of the most played decks across all metas.
Are Special Abilities becoming irrelevant?
JFB: I don't think special abilities are irrelevant, it's just a lot of cards that have S abilities have too much taken away from their original text to gain the S abilities or just aren't very potent cards. Genesis, being the benchmark for 4cp cards, really showcases this the card has no bad effects because none of it's potential power was spent on S ability text. Cards with Cheap S abilities that decks want to play multiples of are still fine, example Rikku and Edward, both S abilities are cheap and decks want to play multiples of them, in cases where the S ability is drawn the plays still most of the time wants to use those abilities. Oh, I wrote this and forgot the best S ability, Shadow Flare on Sephiroth. This is a great example of how a cheap S ability on a card that hasn't had it's text reduced to make way for the S ability can be an extremely potent game changer.
AUSTIN: I don't think they are irrelevant, we have just been spoiled by cards like Illua and L Cecil. Currently, the more you have to pay for a special the less viable it becomes because decks are setting up better and have access to better lines.....I think ultimately, we will (EVEN THOUGH SE SAYS THERE WON'T BE) a rotation and the game will slow down allowing S's to be used more.
STEPHEN: Overall they have been getting more and more irrelevant. Planet Protector and O8 Noctis' monster break ability are very relevant. But in Opus 6 meta I used Lenna's special Arise at a qualifier and my opponent looked at me like I was insane.
ADAM L: Definitely not. There are just a good amount that will probably never be good. The ones that are good though are great. Illua S isn't going anywhere and a few S's in this set are also pretty good.
If a friend says “I’ve never played a Final Fantasy video game before but I want to pick it up” which game do you start them on?
JFB: I would direct them towards FFXV, graphics are a part of why I enjoy video games and that game has fantastic graphics and an amazing soundtrack. Otherwise I would direct them towards FFIII, as that's the game I've played the most!
AUSTIN: I'd probably say depending on the person, 9 or 12. While I think 9 is one of the worst of the ff numbered titles, it is a good beginner intro into the genre and gives enough story and character customization (the equipping feature was unique) to allow a newer player to get into the series and is a little more forgiving on the learning curve than the earlier titles. 12 is also just a fun game, but the battle system is completely different from it's predecessors.
STEPHEN: If they're a Nintendo kid then VI. If they're a Sony kid then X .
ADAM L: I usually ask them another question. How much do you care about modern graphics? If they care a lot I usually try to get them to play FFX first. It's looks pretty good and the story and music are pretty great as well. If they don't care FF6 is my go to. However you should play all for yourself and create your own opinion a lot of them are great for their own reason (FF7 is best play it)