Final Fantasy Commander Decks: Packed with Fun, Surprising References

Wizards of the Coast has been steadily unveiling details about the much-anticipated Magic: The Gathering crossover with Final Fantasy, set to launch this summer. Over the weekend, the team showcased a substantial array of cards from both the main set and the Commander decks, delighting fans with nods to their favorite Final Fantasy games.

The Universes Beyond collaboration with Final Fantasy is expansive, featuring both a traditional Commander deck lineup and a booster-driven series, resulting in a vast collection of cards to explore. The main set spans the entire mainline of Final Fantasy games, from Final Fantasy 1 through to Final Fantasy 16. Meanwhile, the Commander Decks hone in on four specific titles: Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, and 14, with Terra, Cloud, Tidus, and Y'shtola serving as their respective Commanders.

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1$709.99 at Walmart$455.88 at AmazonDuring last Saturday's Magic: The Gathering panel at PAX East, the journey of iconic characters was showcased through various cards. For instance, Final Fantasy IV's Cecil features a unique mechanic that represents his transformation from a Dark Knight to a Paladin. Additionally, the summons from Final Fantasy are depicted as "Saga Creatures," which are powerful yet temporary forces on the field, blending the essence of both Magic and Final Fantasy.

One of the highlighted cards, Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, showcases artwork by Square's Tetsuya Nomura, illustrating Sephiroth's evolution across the FF7 universe, culminating in his iconic form as Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel.

[FIN] Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel (Debut Showcase)
byu/mweepinc inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }The set also pays homage to the Cids of Final Fantasy, featuring a Cid from each mainline game, with a notable choice of the older Cid from Final Fantasy XV over his daughter, Cindy.

[FIN] Cid, Timeless Artificer (Debut Stream)
byu/mweepinc inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Following the panel, Wizards of the Coast released the decklists for the four Commander decks, prompting fans to delve into the art and thematic elements, showcasing how well the team has integrated the essence of these four Final Fantasy games into Magic.

Reprints and new versions of existing Magic cards cleverly intertwine with Final Fantasy lore. For example, Skullclamp features art inspired by the Jenova project from Final Fantasy 7.

[FIC] Skullclamp, feat JENOVA
byu/felipeshaman inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }The card Together, Forever evokes the emotional depth of Final Fantasy 10, reflecting the poignant journey of its protagonists through a devastated world. Several cards in these decks reference key character moments, so be prepared for potential story spoilers.

On a lighter note, the iconic and often memed moment from Final Fantasy 10 is captured in the card Inspiring Call.

[FIC] Inspiring Call
byu/nmidori inmagicTCG

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Wizards has also infused humor and lighter moments from Final Fantasy into the cards. Clever Concealment draws inspiration from the Wall Market scene in Final Fantasy 7, featuring Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa in dresses, while Secret Rendezvous offers four different versions of the Golden Saucer date scene, each with a different potential date: Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret.

[FIC] Four versions of Secret Rendezvous
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.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Fans have been quick to spot the meticulous details that pay homage to the source material. The Final Fantasy 14 set, in particular, includes numerous references to the beloved MMORPG. The Hildibrand Manderville card, for example, captures the character's penchant for disappearing and reappearing, creating an intriguing White/Black card. Additionally, the Archaeomancer's Map card features a location from a Gaganaskin Treasure Map, adding a layer of authenticity.

Final Fantasy 14 players have been enjoying the cards, with humorous references like the "This is Thancred" meme and alternative flavor text on the Rite of Replication card, commemorating a famous speech from A Realm Reborn.

Honestly, I feel like this was too much flavor text for the MTG collab card...
byu/Sir5000 inffxiv

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }The Tome of Legends card even depicts a Wondrous Tails book, complete with in-game details and missed four-in-a-row connections.

Khloe Made It To MTG (Spoilers: Heavensward)
byu/Fycadius inffxiv

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }The attention to detail in these cards is truly impressive and has sparked my curiosity about the full set. While the Commander decks have received significant attention, reveals like Commune With Beavers from the panel have me excited to see how other Final Fantasy games are adapted into the broader Magic set.

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