Magic: The Gathering's upcoming Final Fantasy crossover is shaping up to be a major event for fans of both franchises. This June, a fully draftable, Standard-legal set will launch alongside four preconstructed Commander decks, each themed around a different mainline Final Fantasy game: VI, VII, X, and XIV.
Each 100-card deck features a mix of reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed for Commander play. The decks aren't just themed around characters; they delve deep into the lore of each game, capturing iconic moments and beloved characters.
The game selection reflects a balance between gameplay considerations and story recognition. While Final Fantasy VII and XIV were easy choices, VI and X were chosen based on team favorites and extensive discussions. The development team, boasting numerous Final Fantasy enthusiasts, ensured a high level of dedication throughout the process.
The Final Fantasy VII deck, in particular, navigates the line between the original game and its remakes. While the narrative follows the 1997 classic, the art style incorporates modern aesthetics from the remakes, creating a blend of nostalgia and updated visuals.
Final Fantasy VI, with its pixel art origins, presented unique challenges. The team consulted directly with the Final Fantasy VI team to ensure accurate character representation, blending elements from original concept art, sprites, and the Pixel Remaster.
Commander deck leaders were carefully selected. While Cloud was a natural choice for VII, other selections involved considerable brainstorming. The final choices reflect a blend of character popularity and gameplay synergy. The Final Fantasy XIV deck, for example, focuses on Y'shtola during her Shadowbringers arc.
Each deck's color identity was strategically chosen to reflect both the game's themes and desired gameplay. All four decks include White, enabling a wide range of hero inclusions. Deck strategies are tailored to their respective games: VI focuses on graveyard recursion, VII on equipment and "power matters" strategies, X on creature empowerment mirroring the Sphere Grid, and XIV on non-creature spellcasting.
Beyond the commander, each deck includes numerous beloved characters from their respective games as legendary creatures and in spell art. While specific details are yet to be revealed, fans can expect to see many favorite characters.
The Final Fantasy set launches June 13th, with each deck available in regular ($69.99 MSRP) and Collector's Edition ($149.99 MSRP) versions. The Collector's Edition features Surge foil treatment on all 100 cards. While these four decks represent a starting point, Wizards of the Coast assures fans that all sixteen mainline Final Fantasy games will be represented across the entire product line.
Which Final Fantasy Commander deck are you most excited for?
[Poll: Which Final Fantasy Commander deck is your favorite so far?]
Do you enjoy the Magic: The Gathering crossovers?
[Poll: Do you enjoy that Magic: The Gathering is doing so many crossovers?]
