Magic: The Gathering's highly anticipated Final Fantasy crossover is almost here! This June, players can dive into a fully draftable, Standard-legal set, plus four preconstructed Commander decks, each themed around a different mainline Final Fantasy game: VI, VII, X, and XIV.
A First Look at the Commander Decks:
Browse the gallery below for an exclusive preview of the key card and packaging for each deck. Each 100-card deck features both reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed specifically for Commander.
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Deck Design and Storytelling:
The team at Wizards of the Coast (WotC) carefully selected these four games, balancing gameplay considerations with the games' overall popularity. While Final Fantasy VII and XIV were relatively straightforward choices, VI and X required more deliberation, ultimately chosen due to their popularity within the development team.
The Final Fantasy VII deck, in particular, presents a unique challenge. Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt explains their approach: "Our core approach was to capture the original PS1 game's narrative, while leveraging the modern aesthetics of the Remake and Rebirth titles to enhance the character designs and locations." Expect a blend of nostalgic elements and modern interpretations.
Final Fantasy VI, with its pixel art origins, posed a different design challenge. Principal Narrative Game Designer Dillon Deveney explains that they worked closely with the Final Fantasy VI team to create character designs that feel both familiar and updated for Magic's art style. They drew inspiration from Yoshitaka Amano's concept art, original sprites, and the Pixel Remaster, aiming for a synthesis of classic and modern elements.
Commander Choices and Gameplay:
Choosing the right commander for each deck was crucial. While Cloud was a natural choice for VII, other selections involved considerable brainstorming. The Final Fantasy VI deck, focused on the World of Ruin, centers around Terra, while the Final Fantasy X deck uses Tidus, and the Final Fantasy XIV deck features Y'shtola during her Shadowbringers arc.
The gameplay of each deck is also carefully designed. The Final Fantasy VI deck emphasizes graveyard recursion, while the Final Fantasy VII deck uses a white-red equipment strategy enhanced by green elements representing the Planet and Lifestream. The Final Fantasy X deck utilizes a white-blue-green strategy reflecting the Sphere Grid system, and the Final Fantasy XIV deck focuses on non-creature spellcasting.
All four decks include white, both for thematic consistency and to accommodate the diverse range of heroes included. While the commanders are central, each deck features a supporting cast of beloved Final Fantasy characters, both heroes and villains, as legendary creatures and in spell art.
Release and Collector's Editions:
The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy set launches June 13th. Each of the four Commander decks will be available in a regular edition ($69.99 MSRP) and a Collector's Edition ($149.99 MSRP), with the latter featuring all 100 cards in special Surge foil. Holt assures fans that all sixteen mainline Final Fantasy games will be represented across the entire product line.
