It’s time for “Card of the Week”, where we showcase a new card each week from the upcoming “Journey of Discovery” booster pack, set to be released on November 14th. This week, I’ll introduce you to the final boss of FINAL FANTASY II, The Emperor [27-098L]. The illustration for this card comes from MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY and depicts not just The Emperor, but the Light Emperor featured in “Soul of Rebirth”—a bonus quest introduced in the Game Boy Advance and later versions of the game. Now that you’ve seen the card image, let's move on to the card details.
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The Emperor [27-098L] is a 2CP Water element Forward with 4000 power. He has two abilities: an Auto Ability that triggers when he is put into the Break Zone, and an Action Ability that activates when he is dulled and then put into the Break Zone. Both abilities are quite powerful, so let’s take a closer look at each one.
First, the Auto Ability reads: “When The Emperor is put from the field into the Break Zone, draw 1 card. Then, you may play 1 Card Name The Emperor of cost 5 or less from your hand onto the field.” Your opponent will likely think twice before breaking him, since doing so not only lets you draw a card but also play another Card Name The Emperor onto the field—the only requirement being that it costs 5CP or less. Since there are currently no Emperor cards with 6CP or more, this requirement effectively does not limit your options, allowing you to deploy a wide selection of Emperor cards depending on the situation. In many situations, the most effective card will likely be The Emperor [2-147L]. Although this card dates back to Opus II, its strength against your opponent’s Action Abilities remains unmatched even today. The Emperor [19-110H] can also be an interesting choice, since he has an Auto Ability that triggers when he enters the field due to an ability. Of course, you could also opt for the same The Emperor [27-098L]. Furthermore, we can always look forward to future versions of The Emperor. I think you’ll agree that this ability is far more versatile than it appears at first glance.
Next, the Action Ability reads: “[Dull], put The Emperor into the Break Zone: Choose 1 Forward opponent controls. Until the end of the turn, it loses all its abilities and 8000 power.” This is a powerful effect that can remove a Forward, but it cannot be used immediately, since The Emperor [27-098L] does not have Haste. Your opponent will likely want to defeat The Emperor [27-098L] before this ability can be activated.
……However, as we’ve just seen, The Emperor [27-098L] also has a powerful Auto Ability that triggers when he is put into the Break Zone. If your opponent defeats him carelessly, you can draw a card and another Card Name The Emperor will enter the field. But they can’t just ignore him—you’ll be able to activate The Emperor [27-098L]’s Action Ability, putting him into the Break Zone yourself, and if left unchecked, it will still create a difficult situation for your opponent!
So, what did you think of The Emperor [27-098L]? I hope it’s a card you’re excited to try out.
The next “Card of the Week” will be our last for the “Journey of Discovery”. Rio will be showcasing a card with a brand-new illustration, so stay tuned!