Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Final Fantasy TCG Locals - July 23rd, 2025

 Once again at the second shop I attend, for the last chance to get some practice in before the Local Qualifier on this upcoming Sunday.

As has been the case for the past two weeks, every game I played today was done using my Dragoons list. As is also usual for this second shop, there was no formal "tournament" structure, it was a series of friendlies against the others who showed up, and I got in three Best of 3 sets against three different players.

Games vs Knights - Loss

My first opponent was an individual who I've only ever gotten to play against at one other locals, several months ago. They wanted to get at least one day of practice in with their Knights list, which they decided to add Clive and Ifrit (XVI) to in advance of Sunday's LQ.

With my consent, they received coaching for the two games we played by another, more veteran player who was also present.

The first game was a little hard for me thanks in part to an early Lasswell. Despite the Knight who kept my backups locked down for much of the game, I did manage to fight back and claw together a board position. However, due to an error on what wound up my final turn I left myself with only a 6-drop Aranea left as a blocker who was subsequently tapped down by a Serjes from the LB deck.

Our second game was a close affair, where fairly early on they took a big, 4-damage turn against me. I was able to play a small mountain of removal and built up a decent board state with a solid suite of blockers. However, the next turn they were able to hard-cast an Ifrit (XVI) and had a second copy of the Eikon in hand, allowing them to take out my two active Blockers and safely swing in to blow away my third and final Forward. Ultimately, that turn's the one that spelled the end for me, as I wasn't able to mount any comeback afterwards due to the resources that I had to spend just prior to the Ifrit's entrance to the field.

Games vs Mono-Fire Luso  - Win

The same Luso list that has been a frustrating blast to play against for the past few locals, this wound up being a tight set between us.

In games 1 and 3, I was able to mount a solid defense off of the 2-drop Dragoon that gets bigger for each other Dragoon I control, who was consistently in the range of 11k+ power thanks to having set up a suite of backups. In game 2, the only game of the set that I lost, I had a more difficult time setting up my position and Luso had much better luck with their triggers.

Games vs Refia - Loss

The same Refia list I've been unable to take a clean game against, with the only victory I've gotten having been last week in the game where they admitted they played their final turn in a way they never would have done so in a serious event.

At least until tonight, when I finally got one of the three games against them.

Game 1 went about the way that my games against this player and list have for the past couple of weeks, with me getting some early aggression in, but quickly losing ground once WoL4 and Refia hit the table.

Game 2 I took a clean win. They had some odd draws, as they commented during the course of the game, enabling me to play a little conservatively. I hit them to 2 damage, and bided my time until I was able to take a big, lethal turn knocking them from 2 to 7 by playing enough removal pieces to remove their blockers, then following with Barbara to give everything I had Haste to swing in. Luck with the EX Bursts meant I didn't run afoul of removal or extra card draw that would have enabled them to play a 6-cost Leviathan that they had in hand, and I took the win.

Then game 3 was "back to form", with me getting somewhat unfortunate draws and not being able to build up my backups, leaving me a little lacking in resources.

All three games, I did see a turn 1 Alus, which meant that all three of these games, I was "able to play" since I had the extra card draw each turn.

Conclusion

Well, this was the last bit of practice I'm going to be able to have before Sunday's LQ. I'm feeling at least a little confident since I was able to at least take one game against the Refia deck I've been having difficulties with.

The last two LQs I attended, I went 1-4. My only real goal for Sunday's LQ is to end with a better record than that. If I go 2-3, I'll consider that a personal victory. Obviously, we'll see how the chips fall in about four days.

In the interim, tomorrow is a Pokémon League Challenge at my usual card shop, Friday will be Commander night at the same, and Saturday will be a day to rest and relax.

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