Even if you're not a dedicated player of Magic: The Gathering, you're likely aware of its recent video game crossovers, such as Fallout, Tomb Raider, and Assassin’s Creed. Now, we're thrilled to present an exclusive preview of one of the most anticipated collaborations yet: Final Fantasy. This crossover isn't limited to a single game; it spans four mainline entries, featuring iconic characters like Terra and Y’shtola, each represented in their own preconstructed Commander deck.
Explore the image gallery below for a sneak peek at the lead card and packaging for each deck. Additionally, delve into our detailed discussion with Wizards of the Coast to learn more about the contents of these decks, the selection process for these four games, and much more.
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering - Commander Decks Reveal
13 Images
Scheduled for release in June, the Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collaboration will offer a fully draftable, Standard-legal set, complemented by the four preconstructed Commander decks showcased above. Each deck contains 100 cards, featuring reprints with new Final Fantasy artwork and freshly designed cards tailored for the popular Commander format. These decks are uniquely themed around specific Final Fantasy games—numbers 6, 7, 10, and 14.
“The rich narratives, beloved characters, and distinctive settings of Final Fantasy games provide ample material to craft a complete deck around a single game,” explains Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt, the Commander Lead for this set. “Focusing on one game allowed us to delve deeply into its lore, capturing cherished moments from the game’s storyline that we might not have been able to highlight otherwise.”
The selection of these four Final Fantasy games was driven by a balance between desired gameplay mechanics and the recognition of each game's story. Holt notes that while Final Fantasy 7 and 14 were obvious choices, 6 and 10 required more discussion but were ultimately chosen due to their popularity among the team. “This project saw widespread enthusiasm within our team, given the high number of Final Fantasy fans we have,” Holt adds.
When it comes to thematic decisions, such as the direction for Final Fantasy 7, the team had to consider the ongoing remake trilogy. Dillon Deveney, Principal Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast and Narrative Lead for the set, clarifies that the Commander deck will primarily follow the narrative of the 1997 classic while incorporating the modern aesthetics of the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth. “Our aim was to capture the essence of the original PS1 game while leveraging the modern visuals to enhance character designs, story moments, and iconic locations,” says Deveney.
For Final Fantasy 6, the challenge was to honor the game's nostalgic pixel art while updating it for Magic. “We aimed to create character designs that evoke the memory of the original game while integrating new elements,” Deveney explains. To achieve this, Wizards of the Coast collaborated closely with the Final Fantasy 6 team, drawing from Yoshitaka Amano's concept art, the original sprites, and the Pixel Remaster portraits to craft a fresh yet familiar look.
Choosing the right characters to lead each deck was also a crucial step. While Cloud was an obvious choice for Final Fantasy 7, other selections required more deliberation. For Final Fantasy 6, Celes was considered, but they ultimately chose Terra, reflecting the game's focus on the World of Ruin. Yuna was a contender for Final Fantasy 10, but Tidus was selected to lead. Y’shtola was picked for Final Fantasy 14 due to her popularity and her role as a spellcaster, representing her arc in Shadowbringers.
Incorporating an entire game's story and themes into a single deck within the constraints of Magic's five-color system posed a unique challenge. “We had to align the color identity with the game's themes and the desired gameplay,” Holt explains. For example, the deck for Final Fantasy 6 focuses on rebuilding the party, while Final Fantasy 7's deck leverages equipment strategies with Cloud’s iconic sword. Final Fantasy 10's deck reflects the Sphere Grid system, and Final Fantasy 14 emphasizes noncreature spell casting.
Holt emphasizes the importance of including supporting characters and villains in each deck. “Final Fantasy games are known for their rich cast of characters, and we wanted to ensure they were well-represented,” he says. Fans can look forward to seeing their favorite characters as new legendary creatures and featured in various spells within the 99 cards of each deck.
Set to launch on June 13, the Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy set promises to celebrate all sixteen mainline games through various accompanying products. Both regular and Collector’s Edition versions of the decks will be available, with the latter featuring a special Surge foil treatment for all 100 cards.
For a comprehensive look into the creative process behind these decks, read our full, unedited interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Daniel Holt and Dillon Deveney below:
AnswerSee Results AnswerSee Results
