Jumping Into Final Fantasy TCG: Living the Nostalgia
Starting Out
When I first got into Final Fantasy Trading Card Game (FFTCG), I didn’t start by scouring the meta or analyzing tournament lists. I started with my heart—and that heart belongs to Final Fantasy VII.
Like many other 90s kids, Final Fantasy VII was my first Final Fantasy game. I played it endlessly, and the characters stuck with me: Cloud, Tifa, Barret, the whole Avalanche crew. So when I decided to finally dive into the Final Fantasy TCG, picking cards based on the characters and games I loved just felt right.
I was aware of the game several years ago but hadn't thought much of it as I wasn't into trading card games at the time. I dabbled in Pokémon where my fiancé, at the time, and me bought a couple starter sets to play on our trip to Thailand. Looking back, I wish I got into it, as I am now hooked - Spoiler.
Starting With Avalanche vs Shinra
After reading up online about which decks are good to learn with in 2025, I found that the Avalanche vs Shinra starter deck was widely recommended. It featured my favorite characters and came pre-built to jump right into the game.
I found a Reddit thread suggesting a few upgrades to make the Avalanche deck more competitive as using it as is, might be fun but not win many games. Notably, it mentioned stronger versions of Tifa (14-120H) and Barret (14-121L) that could replace the starter deck versions for a stronger Avalanche synergy. I took a look and studied these cards on Square-Enix website. That was the beginning of my rabbit hole.
Learning and Building With FFDecks.com
To get a feel for the deck and the upgraded options, I used FFDecks.com to play out sample hands and visualize how the enhanced deck might function. Seeing cards like the multi-color Barret (14-121L) and Tifa (14-120H) versions made a huge difference in how the deck flowed.
I also browsed the official Square Enix FFTCG card list, comparing different versions of Avalanche members to see what fit best with my intended playstyle and what I knew how the game was played. I swapped out some more cards that I found part of Category VII that seemed to be improvements to existing backups and forwards. Notably,
Removed
Forwards
- Tifa (1-016C)
- SOLDIER: 3rd (10-009C)
- Sage (2-005C)
- Warrior (11-010C)
Added
Forwards
- Tifa (14-120H)
- Barret (14-121L)
- Ifalna (20-067R)
- Elfe (17-003C)
Removed
- Tifa (14-120H)
- Vincent (9-062H)
- Evoker (1-105C)
- Evoker (1-011C) (some)
- Marlene (8-085C) (some)
- Bahamut (6-017C)
Added
- Tifa (25-065R)
- Vincent (25-054C)
- Polk (18-065C)
- Cait Sith (25-059C)
Chasing Cards in the Real World
There are a few local game stores that I was aware of given I had been collecting comics for many years now. Checking them out online, only one had product listed on their site. I reached out to a few local game stores via email to see if they had the Avalanche starter deck or any singles in stock. Unfortunately, none of them had the deck anymore, and the singles—especially the multi-color Barret—were going for $12–$15 a pop. That was a bit steep just to get started casually.
Finding Help Through the Community
Not ready to give up, I posted in a Facebook FFTCG group, hoping someone might have cards for sale or trade. Narrowing in on Canada groups, as that is where I live, there were a few that seemed active. I joined them and posted my deck list in hopes of getting some help, especially for the more expensive cards. That’s where I met a generous player from Quebec who was happy to help me build the deck. They even mailed me the cards I needed—amazing!
There was a mix-up on my end, though. I ended up with a version of Cloud rather than the Barret I was originally building around—specifically, Cloud (14-065L). Rather than scrap it, I pivoted the deck’s strategy slightly to make it work. That flexibility is something I’m coming to appreciate about FFTCG.
Taking the Deck to Locals – And Getting Wrecked
With my deck built, I took it to a game night at a local store I usually visit for comics. They were holding a pre-release event that night. I didn’t join the sealed event—I wasn’t ready for that yet—but I was able to play against a few players who had a bye or were waiting.
And yes, I got destroyed.
But I had an amazing time. It was my first real match against live opponents, and it taught me a lot. I saw the flaws in my deck, but more importantly, I saw where I went wrong—missing triggers, bad sequencing, not holding key responses.
Lessons Learned From Losing
When I got home, I laid out my deck and started reviewing what happened. I realized a few things:
-
Cloud (14-065L) has a powerful ability that forces the opponent to block. That could’ve helped me get rid of problem characters that were dulling my forwards—if I’d remembered to use it correctly.
-
Barret (15-133S) synergy with other Avalanche members is key. By sending a member to the break zone at the right time, I could break a dull opposing character. I missed that a few times mid-game.
I’d seen these effects while play testing the deck by myself, but in a real match, the pressure is different. Still, those mistakes were valuable—they helped me really learn the game.
Looking Ahead
I’m planning more games at locals soon, now with a better understanding of how my deck works and what I need to look out for. I might tweak the list further—maybe test other Avalanche members or tech in more backups to support the deck’s economy. But the heart of it, that love for Final Fantasy VII, stays strong.
If you are new to Final Fantasy TCG like me and loved the games as a kid, I can’t recommend this journey enough. Start with what you love. You’ll find your way from there.
Comments
Post a Comment