Final Fantasy Commander Decks: Fun, Surprising References Await in Magic: The Gathering

Wizards of the Coast is set to enchant fans with its upcoming Magic: The Gathering crossover with Final Fantasy, slated for release this summer. Over the weekend, enthusiasts were treated to a preview of a substantial selection of cards from both the main set and the specialized Commander decks. This Universes Beyond collaboration promises to bring the beloved world of Final Fantasy into the strategic universe of Magic, offering both a booster-driven series and the customary Commander treatment. The main set encompasses the entire spectrum of Final Fantasy's mainline, numbered games, spanning from Final Fantasy 1 to Final Fantasy 16. Meanwhile, the Commander Decks spotlight four iconic games: Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, and 14, each led by Commanders Terra, Cloud, Tidus, and Y'shtola, respectively.

Out June 13### Starter Kit

17$19.87 at Walmart$19.87 at AmazonOut June 13### Play Booster Box (30 Packs)

0$139.90 at Walmart$144.95 at AmazonOut June 13### Bundle

8$69.87 at Walmart$69.99 at AmazonOut June 13### Collector’s Edition Commander Deck Bundle

5$599.96 at AmazonOut June 13### Commander Deck Bundle

2$279.96 at AmazonOut June 13### Commander Deck 1 - Revival Trance

3$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at AmazonOut June 13### Commander Deck 2 - Limit Break

8$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at AmazonOut June 13### Commander Deck 3 - Counter Blitz

3$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at AmazonOut June 13### Commander Deck 4 - Scions & Spellcraft

2$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at AmazonOut June 13### Gift Bundle

3$159.99 at Walmart$89.99 at AmazonOut June 13### Collector Booster Box

1$709.99 at Walmart$455.88 at Amazon

During the Magic: The Gathering panel at PAX East, several cards that beautifully captured individual character arcs were showcased. For instance, Final Fantasy IV's Cecil features a transformation mechanic from a Dark Knight to a Paladin, reflecting his journey within the game. The summons from the Final Fantasy series are represented through a "Saga Creature" concept, blending the essence of both Magic and Final Fantasy into powerful, albeit temporary, gameplay elements.

Among the standout cards is Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, illustrated by Square's Tetsuya Nomura. The card art evolves to showcase Sephiroth's transformation from a young fighter to his ultimate form, Safer Sephiroth, on the card Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel.

[FIN] Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel (Debut Showcase)
byu/mweepinc inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

No Final Fantasy set would be complete without the iconic Cid. This set includes a Cid from each mainline game, with a nod to the older Cid from Final Fantasy XV rather than his daughter, Cindy.

[FIN] Cid, Timeless Artificer (Debut Stream)
byu/mweepinc inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

Following the panel, Wizards of the Coast unveiled the decklists for the four Commander decks, allowing fans to delve into the art and thematic elements that translate the stories of Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, and 14 into Magic. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with the community appreciating the thoughtful adaptation of these classic games.

Reprints and new versions of existing Magic cards have been cleverly integrated with Final Fantasy lore. For example, Skullclamp draws inspiration from the Jenova project in Final Fantasy 7, while Together, Forever touches on the emotional narrative of Final Fantasy 10. The set also includes nods to some of the games' most poignant and humorous moments, with cards like Inspiring Call referencing a memorable scene from Final Fantasy 10.

[FIC] Skullclamp, feat JENOVA
byu/felipeshaman inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

[FIC] Inspiring Call
byu/nmidori inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

The set also captures lighter moments from the series. Clever Concealment reimagines the Wall Market scene from Final Fantasy 7, with Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa in dresses, and Secret Rendezvous offers four different versions of the Golden Saucer date scene, each featuring a different potential date: Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret.

[FIC] Four versions of Secret Rendezvous
byu/Infinite_Bananas inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

Fans have been quick to spot the intricate details that pay homage to the source material, particularly in the Final Fantasy 14 set. Cards like Hildibrand Manderville reflect the gentleman's whimsical nature, while Archaeomancer's Map references a specific location from a Gaganaskin Treasure Map. The Final Fantasy 14 community has embraced the cards with enthusiasm, sharing memes and adding playful flavor text to cards like Rite of Replication and Tome of Legends, which mirrors the Wondrous Tails book from the game.

Honestly, I feel like this was too much flavor text for the MTG collab card...
byu/Sir5000 inffxiv

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

Khloe Made It To MTG (Spoilers: Heavensward)
byu/Fycadius inffxiv

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }

The meticulous attention to detail in these cards has sparked excitement for the full set's release. While the Commander decks have received much attention, previews like Commune With Beavers hint at the rich adaptations awaiting fans in the broader set.

The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy set will be available starting June 13, 2025, with a pre-release weekend the week before.