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

Wizards of the Coast is gearing up for an exciting summer with the much-anticipated Magic: The Gathering crossover with Final Fantasy. Over the weekend, they unveiled a substantial preview of cards from both the main set and the Commander decks, sparking joy and excitement among fans of both franchises. These previews include a delightful mix of iconic characters and memorable moments from the Final Fantasy series.

The Universes Beyond collaboration with Final Fantasy will feature both the traditional Commander format and a booster-driven series, resulting in an extensive array of cards to explore. The main set draws inspiration from the entire mainline of numbered Final Fantasy games, spanning from Final Fantasy 1 to Final Fantasy 16. On the other hand, the Commander Decks hone in on four specific titles: Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, and 14, with Commanders Terra, Cloud, Tidus, and Y'shtola leading their respective decks.

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The cards showcased at the Magic: The Gathering panel at PAX East beautifully captured the journeys of individual characters within their respective games. For instance, Final Fantasy IV's Cecil features a mechanic that reflects his transformation from a Dark Knight to a Paladin. The summons from Final Fantasy are represented through a "Saga Creature" setup, blending the essence of both Magic and Final Fantasy in a dynamic, yet temporary, force on the battlefield.

Highlights include Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, illustrated by Tetsuya Nomura, which depicts his transformation across the FF7 universe, culminating in his iconic Safer Sephiroth form on the card Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel.

[FIN] Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel (Debut Showcase)
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Another fan favorite, Cid, will be represented by a card from each numbered Final Fantasy game, with the choice of featuring the older Cid from Final Fantasy XV rather than his daughter, Cindy.

[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 met with enthusiasm as fans dive into the art and thematic integration of Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, and 14 into the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Reprints and new versions of existing Magic cards cleverly incorporate Final Fantasy lore. For example, Skullclamp is reimagined with artwork referencing the Jenova project from Final Fantasy 7.

[FIC] Skullclamp, feat JENOVA
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The emotional depth of Final Fantasy 10 is also captured with cards like Together, Forever, resonating with fans through its depiction of the protagonists' journey. Be aware, though, that some cards may include story spoilers for each game.

[FIC] Inspiring Call
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Wizards of the Coast has also embraced Final Fantasy's lighter, humorous moments. Clever Concealment captures the Wall Market scene from Final Fantasy 7, complete with Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa in dresses, while Secret Rendezvous celebrates the Golden Saucer date scenes with different versions featuring Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret.

[FIC] Four versions of Secret Rendezvous
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The attention to detail in these cards is remarkable, with numerous nods to the source material. The Final Fantasy 14 set, in particular, includes references to the beloved MMORPG, such as the Hildibrand Manderville card that mirrors the character's habit of disappearing and reappearing. The Archaeomancer's Map card features a location from a Gaganaskin Treasure Map, showcasing the depth of the collaboration.

Final Fantasy 14 players have been engaging with the cards humorously, with playful takes on the "This is Thancred" meme and alternative flavor text for the Rite of Replication card, commemorating a memorable speech from A Realm Reborn.

Honestly, I feel like this was too much flavor text for the MTG collab card...
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The Tome of Legends card even depicts a Wondrous Tails book, complete with the in-game details and missed four-in-a-row connections, showcasing Khloe's presence in Magic: The Gathering.

Khloe Made It To MTG (Spoilers: Heavensward)
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The intricate details and thoughtful integration of Final Fantasy elements into Magic: The Gathering cards have me eagerly anticipating the full set. While the Commander decks have received much attention, other reveals like Commune With Beavers have piqued my curiosity about how the remaining Final Fantasy games will be adapted into the set.

Magic: The Gathering's Final Fantasy set is set to launch on June 13, 2025, with a pre-release weekend one week prior.