Magic: The Gathering's highly anticipated Final Fantasy crossover is almost here! This June, get ready for a fully draftable, Standard-legal set, plus four exciting 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 image gallery below for a sneak peek at the key card and packaging for each deck.
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Each 100-card deck features a blend of reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed specifically for Commander. The decks aren't just character-themed; they delve deep into the lore of each individual game, capturing iconic moments and storylines.
Deck Selection and Design:
Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt explains the selection process: While FFVII and FFXIV were easy choices, FFVI and FFX required more deliberation, ultimately chosen due to team favorites and gameplay potential. The team's passion for Final Fantasy is evident throughout the development process.
The design of Final Fantasy VII's deck cleverly blends the original game's narrative with the aesthetic enhancements of the Remake trilogy. Principal Narrative Game Designer Dillon Deveney explains the approach, aiming for a nostalgic yet visually updated experience.
Final Fantasy VI, with its pixel art origins, presented a unique challenge. The team consulted directly with the FFVI team to faithfully update the character designs for Magic's art style, drawing inspiration from Yoshitaka Amano's concept art, original sprites, and the Pixel Remaster.
Commander Choices and Gameplay:
Choosing the right Commander for each deck was crucial. While Cloud was an obvious choice for FFVII, other selections involved careful consideration. The FFVI deck focuses on the World of Ruin storyline and rebuilding your party from the graveyard. FFVII's deck incorporates equipment strategies, enhanced by the addition of green to represent the Planet and Lifestream. FFX's deck uses the Sphere Grid system as a core mechanic, and FFXIV's deck embraces a non-creature spell-casting theme.
All four decks include white, both for thematic consistency and to accommodate the diverse range of heroes. Each deck also features a supporting cast of beloved Final Fantasy characters, appearing 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), featuring Surge foil treatment for all 100 cards. While these decks showcase four games, Holt confirms that all sixteen mainline Final Fantasy games will be represented across the entire product line.
