FINAL FANTASY TRADING CARD GAME, abbreviated FFTCG, is played all around the world.
We’re excited to bring you an FF Portal-exclusive sneak peek of four cards from the newest FFTCG set, From Nightmares, which will be released on March 24!
Once again, we bring you new card introductions from FFTCG producer Taro Kageyama and comments on their art from the illustrators who drew them!
A Sneak Peek at From Nightmares
Hello everyone! This is FFTCG producer Taro Kageyama. As is tradition, I’m here to introduce a few cards from the latest set as its release draws near. This time, I’d like to talk about From Nightmares, a brand-new booster pack slated for release on March 24. The artists, Ryoma Ito and Rubi Asami, have each drawn two cards with the theme of “brothers.” Let’s have a look at Mr. Ito’s illustrations first.
Mr. Ito has drawn FINAL FANTASY XII’s Vayne (19-036L) and Larsa (19-100C), the sons of Emperor Gramis of Archadia. These illustrations are brand-new, meaning we also have the full-art version. I think the drawings have more impact when not obscured by the frames.
Vayne [19-036L]
Larsa [19-100C]
As per usual, I’d like to delve into their abilities next. Let’s start with the older brother, Vayne (19-036L), who makes his debut as our first Wind Forward. While we often see units with a cost of 4 and power of 8000, his abilities set him apart from the rest. He has two auto-abilities, but neither affects Vayne himself. Instead, they target Warp cards that have been removed from the game.
You can remove Warp cards in your hand by paying the cost and placing the designated number of Warp Counters on it. One Warp Counter is removed per turn and, once all the counters have been removed, the card can enter the field. When Vayne enters the field or at the beginning of your Main Phase 1, you can remove a Warp Counter, essentially shortening the time it takes to put a removed Warp card on the field. In addition, you can draw a card when a Warp Counter is removed from any player’s card. This only triggers once per turn, but I think that’s enough considering that it can also trigger during your opponent’s turn.
Next up, let’s have a look at Larsa (19-100C), an easy-to-use Backup with a cost of 2. He has two abilities: The first is an auto-ability that triggers when he enters the field. You may discard 1 card and search for a Category XII Forward and add it to your hand. This is a useful ability to have when you want to switch an unnecessary card out for something else. His second ability requires you to pay 1 Water CP, dull him, then place him in the Break Zone. A chosen Forward will then take 2000 less damage from the following attack. This is quite the large reduction, and your opponent must consider their next move carefully if Larsa is posed to use this ability. Furthermore, since this ability will take Larsa off the field, you can play another Larsa (19-100C) card to search and add another Forward to your hand, making him an excellent Backup.
【Comments from the Illustrator: Ryoma Ito】
The request for Vayne and Larsa came at the same time and, although they’re brothers, I decided to paint them in contrasting red and blue tones to exhibit their different ways of life. I hope that the players will like these illustrations. Both are characters I’m extremely fond of, so I hope these cards will be used in the decks of many FFTCG players.
Moving on, I’d like to talk about Ms. Asami’s cards next. She has illustrated the twins Edgar (19-003R) and Sabin (19-010H) from FINAL FANTASY VI. I urge you to line up the full-art versions of these cards, seeing as they’re a pair in the directions they face, their backdrops, and other ways.
Edgar [19-003R]
Sabin [19-010H]
Now then, let’s have a look at the cards’ abilities. Edgar (19-003R) is a Backup with a cost of 2 and has both an action ability and special ability. To use his action ability, you must pay 3 CP—including 1 Fire CP—and dull it to place Edgar in the Break Zone. After that, you can choose a Card Name Sabin of cost 4 or less from the Break Zone and place it on the field. You can really feel the bonds of brotherhood with this ability. His special ability, Auto Crossbow, deals 5000 damage to up to 3 Forwards. Since all you have to do to activate it is discard a card of the same name and dull yourself, it’s easy to use, and you may be able to break multiple Forwards if you skillfully combine it with other damage-dealing tactics.
Let’s have a look at Sabin (19-010H) next. He’s a Forward with a power of 8000 and a cost of 4, but he possesses a field ability that can reduce that cost, and an auto-ability that deals damage to your opponent’s Forwards. You can reduce the cost of casting Sabin by 2 if you control 4 or more Category VI Characters. I feel like this is quite the large amount, but it’s not impossible if you use Backups like the aforementioned Edgar (19-003R) well. Even if you don’t reduce the cost, however, 4 is not such a high price to pay.
His auto-ability triggers when he enters the field. He can deal 8000 damage to the same number of opponent Forwards as Category VI Characters placed in the Break Zone during this turn. Now, if we think about the Edgar (19-003R) card from earlier, you can place him in the Break Zone to play a Sabin card on the field. This means you can deal 8000 damage for sure. Of course, depending on how the battle is going, there may be more Category VI Characters in the Break Zone, in which case Sabin (19-010H) can make a devastating entry onto the field.
【Comments from the Illustrator: Rubi Asami】
FINAL FANTASY VI is the first FF game I ever played. I drew these images while reminiscing on all kinds of things from that time. The famous scene starring these two hits me even harder now that I’m an adult.
Since the original game only had pixel art and graphics for their faces, each player probably has a slightly different interpretation of how they look. I referenced illustrations from the time of release and tried to stay true to that impression while also mixing in my own interpretation based on the pixel art.
Today I introduced four cards to you, but there are more on the way with the new booster pack. I hope you’re excited for From Nightmares, which goes on sale March 24!
What is FFTCG?
FFTCG is a one-on-one tactical card game featuring FINAL FANTASY characters and summons. Not only is there fun in collecting cards featuring familiar faces, the main draw of the game is the simplicity of the rules combined with the complexity of the gameplay. The art drawn for the game by famed illustrators is also a popular aspect of FFTCG!
Play the FFTCG tutorial:
https://sqex.to/FinalFantasyTCG
