Even if you're not a regular player of Magic: The Gathering, you're likely aware of its recent video game crossovers, including Fallout, Tomb Raider, and Assassin’s Creed. Now, we're thrilled to give you an exclusive sneak peek at what might be the most thrilling crossover yet: Final Fantasy. This isn't just one Final Fantasy game; it spans four iconic titles—from Terra to Y’shtola—featured in the preconstructed Commander decks that are the stars of this new set.
**Check out the image gallery below** for an initial glimpse at the lead card and packaging for each deck. Continue reading for an in-depth discussion with Wizards of the Coast about what to expect from these decks, why these particular games were chosen, and much more.
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering - Commander Decks Reveal
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Set to launch on June 13, Magic's Final Fantasy crossover will introduce a fully draftable, Standard-legal set, complemented by the four preconstructed decks showcased above. Each deck contains 100 cards, blending reprints with fresh new art inspired by Final Fantasy, and entirely new cards crafted specifically for the Commander format. Unlike typical Commander decks themed around various characters, colors, or strategies, each of these decks is dedicated to a single Final Fantasy game—specifically 6, 7, 10, and 14.
“Final Fantasy games are filled with such rich lore, beloved characters, and unique worlds that focusing on a single game provided ample material to build a complete deck,” explains Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt, who leads the Commander design for this set. “This approach allowed us to delve deeply into the lore of each game, capturing even more cherished moments that might have been missed otherwise.”
The selection of these four Final Fantasy games was influenced by both gameplay considerations and the games' popularity. Holt notes that while Final Fantasy 7 and 14 were easy choices, Final Fantasy 6 and 10 required more debate but were ultimately selected due to their popularity within the team. “The development of this product was a collaborative effort, fueled by the passion of numerous Final Fantasy fans within our team,” Holt adds.
Decisions about the direction of the decks were nuanced, particularly with Final Fantasy 7, which is undergoing a remake trilogy. Dillon Deveney, Principal Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast and Narrative Lead for the set, explains that the Final Fantasy 7 deck will primarily follow the narrative of the original 1997 game, enhanced with modern aesthetics from the remakes. “We aimed to capture the essence of the original game while elevating the visuals to match the modern series, blending elements from both where possible to create a familiar yet fresh experience,” says Deveney.
For Final Fantasy 6, capturing the essence of its pixel art was a challenge. Deveney shares, “We wanted to stay true to the fans' expectations while expanding on the original art. The character designs should evoke the nostalgia fans feel, even though they are a blend of multiple references and new ideas.” To achieve this, Wizards of the Coast collaborated closely with the Final Fantasy 6 team to update the characters for Magic's art standards.
Choosing the right characters to lead each deck was another critical decision. While Cloud was a clear choice for Final Fantasy 7, other selections required more deliberation. For Final Fantasy 6, Celes was considered but ultimately, they chose to focus on the lead characters. For Final Fantasy 14, Y’shtola was selected due to her popularity and the versatility her story offered for card design, particularly during her Shadowbringers arc.
Integrating an entire video game's story, characters, and themes into a single deck within Magic's five-color framework posed unique challenges. Holt explains, “We had to consider not only the thematic elements of each game but also the gameplay we wanted to achieve. All four decks include White, which helped to represent the wide array of heroes and themes we wanted to explore.”
The Final Fantasy 6 deck focuses on the World of Ruin theme, emphasizing rebuilding your party from the graveyard. For Final Fantasy 7, the deck incorporates equipment strategies and adds green to connect with the Planet and lifestream themes. The Final Fantasy 10 deck reflects the Sphere Grid system, empowering creatures through a white-blue-green strategy, while the Final Fantasy 14 deck leans into noncreature spell casting with a white-blue-black color identity.
While the Commander format focuses on the leader, Holt emphasizes the importance of including a wide range of characters from each game. “Final Fantasy games are known for their diverse casts of heroes and villains, and we wanted to ensure they were well-represented in the decks. Fans can look forward to seeing many of their favorite characters as new legendary creatures and in action on various spells,” he says.
Magic's Final Fantasy set is set to launch on June 13, and while not all favorite games or characters may be included in these initial decks, Holt reassures fans that “all sixteen mainline Final Fantasy games will have their moments in the accompanying products.”
Following the model of the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks from 2022, these Final Fantasy 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 more insights, read the full, unedited interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Daniel Holt and Dillon Deveney below:*
