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. Now, we're thrilled to bring you an exclusive first look at one of the most eagerly anticipated collaborations yet: Final Fantasy. This set isn't just a nod to one Final Fantasy game; it spans across four iconic titles, featuring beloved characters like Terra and Y’shtola, all within preconstructed Commander decks.
**Explore the image gallery below** to get a sneak peek at the lead card and packaging for each deck. Continue reading for an insightful discussion with Wizards of the Coast, where we delve into what you can expect from these decks, the reasoning behind selecting these four games, and much more.
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering - Commander Decks Reveal
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Scheduled for a June release, the Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy crossover promises to be a fully draftable and Standard-legal set, complemented by four preconstructed decks showcased in the gallery. Each deck contains 100 cards, blending reprints with new art inspired by Final Fantasy, alongside innovative cards tailored for the popular Commander format. Each of these decks is uniquely themed around a specific Final Fantasy game: 6, 7, 10, and 14.
"The richness of Final Fantasy's narratives, beloved characters, and distinctive worlds provided ample material to craft a complete deck around each game," states Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt, who leads the Commander aspect of the set. "Focusing on a single game allowed us to explore and capture cherished moments from its storyline in depth."
The selection of these four Final Fantasy games was driven by a blend of gameplay considerations and the recognition of each game's story. While Final Fantasy 7 and 14 were straightforward choices due to their widespread acclaim, Final Fantasy 6 and 10 required more deliberation. "These games were favorites among our team, and the enthusiasm for Final Fantasy within our office was palpable throughout the development process," Holt adds.
The approach to Final Fantasy 7's deck, amidst its ongoing remake trilogy, posed a unique challenge. Dillon Deveney, Principal Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast and Narrative Lead for the set, explains, "We aimed to encapsulate the original PS1 game's narrative while leveraging the modern aesthetics from the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth to enhance the portrayal of characters, story moments, and iconic settings. The deck will showcase scenes from both the original and the remakes, blending nostalgia with contemporary flair."
For Final Fantasy 6, maintaining the essence of its pixel art while expanding on it was crucial. Deveney elaborates, "We collaborated closely with the Final Fantasy 6 team to update the characters to meet Magic's art standards while ensuring the designs resonated with fans' memories. We blended elements from Yoshitaka Amano's original art, the game's sprites, and the Pixel Remaster to create fresh yet familiar character depictions."
Selecting the lead characters for each deck was a thoughtful process. While Cloud was an obvious choice for Final Fantasy 7, other selections required brainstorming. For Final Fantasy 6, Celes was considered due to her role in the World of Ruin, and Yuna was a contender for Final Fantasy 10. Ultimately, the focus remained on the leading characters, with Y’shtola chosen for Final Fantasy 14 due to her popularity and spellcasting abilities, particularly during her Shadowbringers arc.
Crafting each deck to reflect the game's themes and characters within the constraints of Magic's five colors was another challenge. Holt notes, "All four decks include White to support the inclusion of various Heroes and to align with the thematic elements of each game."
The deck for Final Fantasy 6 centers on the theme of rebuilding your party, utilizing mechanics that bring creatures back from the graveyard. For Final Fantasy 7, Cloud's connection to equipment synergizes well with a white-red deck, with green added to incorporate 'power matters' and lifestream-related cards. Final Fantasy 10's deck, inspired by the Sphere Grid, focuses on empowering creatures through counter mechanics, while Final Fantasy 14's deck leverages a white-blue-black color identity to emphasize noncreature spell casting.
While the Commander is the focal point, Holt assures that the supporting casts from each game will be well-represented. "Final Fantasy games are rich with both lovable and villainous characters, and we've made sure to include many of these in the decks as new legendary creatures and exciting spells," he says.
Mark your calendars for the June 13 release of the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy set. Whether or not your favorite Final Fantasy game or character is included, Holt promises that "all sixteen of the mainline games will have their moments to shine in the accompanying products."
Echoing the approach taken with the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks in 2022, these four decks will be available in both a standard version (MSRP $69.99) and a Collector’s Edition (MSRP $149.99), the latter featuring all 100 cards in a special Surge foil treatment.
*Continue reading for the complete, unedited interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Daniel Holt and Dillon Deveney.*
