Final Fantasy Commander Decks Revealed, Feature Cloud, Tidus, and More

This June, Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy unite in an exciting crossover! Four preconstructed Commander decks, each themed around a different mainline Final Fantasy game (VI, VII, X, and XIV), will be released alongside a fully draftable, Standard-legal set.

A First Look at the Commander Decks:

Browse the gallery below for a sneak peek at the key card and packaging for each deck.

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Each 100-card deck features reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed for Commander. The decks aren't just themed around characters; they delve deep into the lore of each individual Final Fantasy game.

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 discussion, ultimately chosen due to team favorites and gameplay potential. The team's passion for Final Fantasy is evident in every stage of development.

The FFVII deck draws inspiration from both the original and the Remake trilogy, blending nostalgic storytelling with modern aesthetics. Principal Narrative Game Designer Dillon Deveney explains that the narrative follows the 1997 classic, but the art style incorporates elements from the Remake.

FFVI presented a unique challenge, lacking modern art references. The team collaborated with the FFVI team, referencing original concept art, sprites, and the Pixel Remaster to create a cohesive and nostalgic feel.

Commander Choices and Gameplay:

Choosing the commanders was another crucial decision. While Cloud was an obvious choice for FFVII, other games required brainstorming. The final choices – Terra (FFVI), Cloud (FFVII), Tidus (FFX), and Y’shtola (FFXIV) – reflect character popularity and gameplay synergy. Y’shtola’s deck specifically represents her Shadowbringers arc.

Each deck's color identity was carefully selected to match the game's themes and desired gameplay. All four decks include White, providing thematic consistency and enabling a diverse range of heroes. The decks' strategies are inspired by each game's mechanics: FFVI focuses on graveyard recursion, FFVII on equipment and environmental strategies, FFX on creature empowerment, and FFXIV on spellcasting.

Beyond the commanders, each deck features a supporting cast of beloved Final Fantasy characters, both heroes and villains, appearing as legendary creatures and on spells.

Release and Availability:

The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy set launches June 13th. Each of the four Commander decks will be available in regular and Collector's Editions, with the latter featuring Surge foil treatment for all 100 cards. All sixteen mainline Final Fantasy games will be represented across the entire product line.