"Final Fantasy Commander Decks Unveiled: Cloud, Tidus Featured"

Even if you're not a dedicated player of Magic: The Gathering, you're likely aware of its recent video game crossovers, such as those with Fallout, Tomb Raider, and Assassin’s Creed. However, we're thrilled to share an exclusive first look at one of the most eagerly anticipated collaborations yet: Final Fantasy. This crossover isn't limited to just one game; it spans four iconic titles, featuring characters like Terra and Y’shtola, each represented in their own preconstructed Commander deck.

Take a moment to flip through the image gallery below for an initial glimpse at the lead card and packaging of each deck. Additionally, dive into our discussion with Wizards of the Coast to learn more about what these decks contain, the rationale behind selecting these four games, and much more.

Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering - Commander Decks Reveal

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Set to launch on June 13, the Magic: The Gathering's Final Fantasy crossover will introduce a fully draftable, Standard-legal set, complemented by four preconstructed decks showcased in the gallery above. Each deck contains 100 cards, featuring a mix of reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand new cards tailored specifically for the Commander format. While all Commander precons are themed around certain characters, colors, or strategies, these decks uniquely focus on a single Final Fantasy game – specifically games 6, 7, 10, and 14.

“Final Fantasy games are rich with flavor, beloved characters, and unique settings, which provided ample material to design each deck around a single game,” explains Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt, who led the Commander design for this set. “This approach allowed us to deeply explore the lore and capture cherished moments from each game’s storyline that might not have been possible otherwise.”

The selection of these four Final Fantasy games was influenced by gameplay considerations and the popularity of their stories. While Final Fantasy 7 and 14 were straightforward choices, Final Fantasy 6 and 10 required more deliberation but were ultimately selected due to their status as team favorites. “This project saw widespread involvement from our team, as we have numerous passionate Final Fantasy fans here,” Holt adds.

With the ongoing Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy influencing the development of this Magic set, the Commander precon for Final Fantasy 7 aims to balance the narrative of the 1997 original with the modern aesthetics of the remake. Dillon Deveney, Principal Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast and Narrative Lead for the set, shares, “Our goal was to capture the essence of the original PS1 game while enhancing character designs, story moments, and iconic locations using the modern aesthetics of the remake. This approach allows us to depict scenes as they appeared in both versions or as a unique fusion, creating a deck that feels both nostalgic and fresh to players of both the original and the modern series.”

Final Fantasy 6 posed a unique challenge due to its limited modern art references. Deveney explains, “We aimed to stay true to the fans' expectations of the pixel art sprites and limited concept art while also expanding upon them. The character designs should feel familiar, like how you ‘remember’ them, despite being a blend of various references and new ideas.” To achieve this, Wizards of the Coast worked directly with the Final Fantasy 6 team to update the characters to meet Magic art standards.

Choosing the leading characters for each deck involved some brainstorming. While Cloud was a clear choice for Final Fantasy 7, other games' leaders required more thought. For Final Fantasy 6, Celes was considered due to the focus on the World of Ruin, and Yuna was a contender for Final Fantasy 10 as a fan favorite. Ultimately, the decks focused on the “lead” characters, but Final Fantasy 14's MMO nature presented a unique challenge. Holt explains, “Y’shtola was selected for her popularity and spellcasting abilities, which offered a wide range of story moments to pull from. We explored the idea of a customizable ‘Warrior of Light’ commander, but the execution proved complex. Still, your personal hero has significant moments in this deck.”

Incorporating an entire game's story, characters, and themes into a single deck required careful consideration of Magic’s five colors. Holt notes, “We had to decide on the color identity for each game and the desired gameplay. All four decks include White to support the inclusion of a wide range of Heroes.” The deck for Final Fantasy 6 focuses on rebuilding your party from the graveyard, reflecting the latter half of the game. For Final Fantasy 7, Cloud's equipment-based strategy aligns with a white-red deck, enhanced by green to incorporate power matters and lifestream themes. Final Fantasy 10’s deck draws inspiration from the Sphere Grid, empowering creatures through a white-blue-green strategy, while Final Fantasy 14's white-blue-black deck emphasizes noncreature spells and character inclusion.

While the Commander format centers on the leader, RPGs highlight the entire party. Holt reassures fans, “Final Fantasy games are full of beloved and villainous characters, and we’ve made sure to include them in these decks. While I can’t reveal specifics yet, fans can expect to see their favorite characters as new legendary creatures and on exciting spells within the 99 cards of each deck.”

Magic’s Final Fantasy set will be released on June 13, and Holt promises that all sixteen mainline games will be celebrated in accompanying products. Similar to the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks from 2022, these decks will be available in both a regular version (MSRP $69.99) and a Collector’s Edition (MSRP $149.99), the latter featuring all 100 cards in a special Surge foil treatment.

For a deeper dive, read on for the full, unedited interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Daniel Holt and Dillon Deveney: