Final Fantasy Commander Decks Full of Fun, Surprising Magic: The Gathering References

Wizards of the Coast is set to enchant Magic: The Gathering fans with a thrilling summer crossover featuring the legendary Final Fantasy series. Over the weekend, they unveiled a substantial array of cards from both the main set and the Commander decks, sparking excitement among fans eager to see how their beloved Final Fantasy games are being integrated into the Magic universe.

The Universes Beyond collaboration with Final Fantasy brings not just the typical Commander decks but also a booster-driven series, offering a vast collection of cards to explore. The main set draws from the entirety of Final Fantasy's mainline numbered games, spanning from Final Fantasy I to XVI. On the other hand, the Commander Decks hone in on four specific titles: Final Fantasy VI, VII, X, and XIV, with Terra, Cloud, Tidus, and Y'shtola as their respective Commanders.

Out June 13

Starter Kit

17$19.87 at Walmart$19.87 at Amazon Out June 13

Play Booster Box (30 Packs)

0$139.90 at Walmart$144.95 at Amazon Out June 13

Bundle

8$69.87 at Walmart$69.99 at Amazon Out June 13

Collector’s Edition Commander Deck Bundle

5$599.96 at Amazon Out June 13

Commander Deck Bundle

2$279.96 at Amazon Out June 13

Commander Deck 1 - Revival Trance

3$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at Amazon Out June 13

Commander Deck 2 - Limit Break

8$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at Amazon Out June 13

Commander Deck 3 - Counter Blitz

3$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at Amazon Out June 13

Commander Deck 4 - Scions & Spellcraft

2$74.87 at Walmart$69.99 at Amazon Out June 13

Gift Bundle

3$159.99 at Walmart$89.99 at Amazon Out June 13

Collector Booster Box

1$709.99 at Walmart$455.88 at Amazon

During the Magic: The Gathering panel at PAX East, a variety of cards were showcased, highlighting the journeys of iconic characters through their respective games. For instance, Final Fantasy IV's Cecil has a unique mechanic that reflects his transformation from a Dark Knight to a Paladin. The summons from Final Fantasy are brought to life as "Saga Creatures," embodying temporary but powerful entities on the battlefield, seamlessly blending Magic and Final Fantasy themes.

Notable cards like Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, feature artwork by Square's Tetsuya Nomura, capturing Sephiroth's evolution from a young fighter to his ultimate form as Safer Sephiroth on the card Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel. Cid enthusiasts will be thrilled to see a representation from each of the numbered Final Fantasy games, with a nod to the classic Cid from Final Fantasy XV rather than his daughter, Cindy.

[FIN] Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel (Debut Showcase)
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[FIN] Cid, Timeless Artificer (Debut Stream)
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Following the panel, Wizards of the Coast released the decklists for the four Commander decks, which have been meticulously adapted to encapsulate the essence of Final Fantasy VI, VII, X, and XIV. The community has been diving deep into the art and new additions, praising the seamless integration of Final Fantasy lore into Magic.

Reprints and new versions of existing Magic cards cleverly intertwine with Final Fantasy themes. For example, Skullclamp's artwork draws inspiration from the Jenova project in Final Fantasy VII, while Together, Forever evokes emotional resonance for fans of Final Fantasy X's poignant narrative. Several cards reference key character moments, so be mindful of potential story spoilers in the decklists.

[FIC] Skullclamp, feat JENOVA
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[FIC] Together, Forever
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Adding a lighter touch, humorous and iconic moments from Final Fantasy games are also represented. Inspiring Call captures a memorable and often memed scene from Final Fantasy X. Clever Concealment offers a playful take on the Wall Market scene from Final Fantasy VII, featuring Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa in dresses, with a fitting mechanic. The Secret Rendezvous card showcases four different versions of the Golden Saucer date scene, each with a potential date: Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret.

[FIC] Inspiring Call
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[FIC] Four versions of Secret Rendezvous
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Fans have also been discovering the meticulous details that pay homage to the source material. The Final Fantasy XIV set, in particular, is rich with references to the beloved MMORPG. The Hildibrand Manderville card reflects his quirky habit of disappearing and reappearing, while Archaeomancer's Map uses a location from a Gaganaskin Treasure Map.

Final Fantasy XIV players have been enjoying the playful nods, including the "This is Thancred" meme and alternative flavor text on the Rite of Replication card, referencing a famous speech from A Realm Reborn. The Tome of Legends card even captures the essence of the Wondrous Tails book, complete with in-game details and missed connections.

Honestly, I feel like this was too much flavor text for the MTG collab card...
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Khloe Made It To MTG (Spoilers: Heavensward)
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The attention to detail in these cards has certainly piqued my interest in exploring the full set. While the Commander decks have received much love, reveals like Commune With Beavers from the main set have me eager to see how other Final Fantasy games have been adapted into Magic.

Mark your calendars: Magic: The Gathering's Final Fantasy set will be released on June 13, 2025, with pre-release events starting a week earlier.