Happy Holidays people, I know it’s been an eternity since I’ve written an article, so I’m happy that I get to squeeze one in tonight between all my projects going on! Very pumped for Reunion that is fast approaching on January 12th, 2019. Can’t believe Xmas is in 9 days, that seems insane. Any-who, I just finished my play-through of Final Fantasy V for the first time, and I certainly noticed a few reasons as to why Category V cards were (as always, in my opinion) put together the way they are! So without further ado….

Cid Previa (7-095H) Mid Previa (7-101H)

Cid and Mid Previa help out Bartz and the gang in Final Fantasy V on multiple occasions. Usually repairing transportation or offering advice, Mid and Cid (reluctantly) help each other out frequently, and they make a great team as Grandpa and Grandson. This is reflected very well in the card game, as their abilities have very strong synergy with each other. When Cid enters the field, he can bring in his grandson Mid from the breakzone for free to play onto the field. This allows Mid to deal 6000+3000 damage for his entry to field abilities, which will typically wreck an enemy forward.

Ghido (3-131H)

Ghido, the wise turtle that guides Bartz near the later half of his adventures against Exdeath. For 1 water cp, you can activate Ghido (he doesn’t normally activate during the active phase). This reflects him typically being on his back (shell) when you find him, like seeing an old man who fell and can’t get up. With a helping hand, he’s back on his feet. For 1 water, and 1 additional cp and dull, you can return an enemy forward cost 5cp or more to the top of their deck. This reflects how Ghido fends off Exdeath in Ghido’s cave, delaying him. Exdeath is typically a 5 or 6 cp card, which isn’t defeated or broken but simply fended off, which is why he’s sent back to the top of the deck, instead of the break zone.

Berserker (3-091C)

Pretty straight forward. In the video games, Berserkers have no input from the player, and simply swing at their enemies whenever their turn is up. This is just like the video games, where you MUST attack at least one per turn if possible. Berserkers are known for their high power values, which is why this card is above the curve for it’s CP.

Cannoneer (3-021C)

Cannoneer (not available in the SNES version of FFV) is a unit that gains an ability called “Combine” at level 3. This allows you to mix specific resources to fire off explosives, dealing damage to multiple targets in the game. This is why the Cannoneer can use up resources (cp and itself) to deal damage towards multiple Forwards.

Faris (3-019H) / Faris (7-120H)

Both of these versions of Faris gain power when they are present with Lenna (1k and 2k). This is relevant because Faris is the sister of Lenna. Faris is able to search for Syldra because Syldra is her animal companion that helps sail the seas, and she also has to hunt down Bartz and Krile’s location near the end of Final Fantasy V, which is why she can reveal the top 5 cards of your deck to seek her companions.

King Tycoon (3-059H)

Very simple — King Tycoon is the father to Faris and Lenna. Seems to make sense that as a backup, he searches out for them.

Famed Mimic Gogo (3-142H)

From the ground up, FMG represents his digital counterpart pretty closely. In Final Fantasy V, the unique key to defeating his boss encounter is simply to do nothing. Without interaction or combat, he cannot mimic you and thus suffers a defeat. That is why when no forwards are present, he is simply defeated and sent to the break zone. His S ability, Power Hit, puts a forward into the break zone, as long as FMG has been damaged. This reflects the punishment the player’s party suffers in the video game when you try to attack Famic Mimic Gogo. Unless you are insanely capped out with leveling, Gogo will usually take you out in 1 to 2 counter attacks (or spells)

Galuf (7-067L)

Galuf’s cannot be broken during your turn effect represents his assault on Exdeath, that happens while the crystals are subduing Bartz and the other characters in your party. No matter how much Exdeath beats him or nukes him with magic, he does not yield and you can keep attacking Exdeath until Exdeath retreats. His S ability “Stop”, would be accurate if he simply job changes to Time Mage, and utilizes the spell “Stop” (requires level 3 Time Mage) in FFV.

Enuo (3-101R)

Enuo was a very powerful sorcerer who was eventually defeated by the 12 ultimate weapons in Final Fantasy V. While he was defeated, he still exists in the Void. This reflects his ability to remove cards both before something hits the break zone, or something that is already in the break zone. He banishes them to the Void to be manipulated or destroyed.

Exdeath (3-100L)

Exdeath, the main antagonist of Final Fantasy V, inflicts a lot of damage and misery to the heroes and inhabitants of FFV’s world. In the latter half of the game, Exdeath goes on a rampage, and literally wipes out castles and towns, removing them into the Void (even the Moogle Village!). This is reflected perfectly in Grand Cross (his S ability), where all characters on the field, AND all the cards in the break zones are outright removed from the game.

Well, I think that’ll do it for this article, everyone have a great holiday season and I hope to see some of you at Reunion on January 12th!

(Did you know? Originally, Final Fantasy V was going to be named “Final Fantasy Extreme” for all the combinations of Job abilities and Job changes you could take advantage of and manipulate in your party throughout your play-through.)