Get ready for an epic crossover! Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy are uniting in a new Commander deck set launching this June. This isn't just any crossover; it features four iconic Final Fantasy games: VI, VII, X, and XIV, each represented by a unique 100-card preconstructed deck.
Check out the gallery below for a sneak peek at the artwork and packaging for each deck.
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering - Commander Decks Unveiled
13 Images
This June's release includes a fully draftable, Standard-legal set alongside the four Commander decks. Each deck boasts 100 cards – a blend of reprints with fresh Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed specifically for Commander. The unique twist? Each deck centers on a single Final Fantasy game.
Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt, Commander Lead for the set, explains the design philosophy: "Final Fantasy games are rich with lore, beloved characters, and unique settings. Focusing on a single game per deck provided ample material and allowed us to delve deep into each game's story, capturing iconic moments we might have missed otherwise."
The selection of games – FFVI, FFVII, FFX, and FFXIV – was a careful balance of gameplay considerations and story recognition. While FFVII and FFXIV were easy choices, FFVI and FFX required more discussion, ultimately selected due to their popularity within the development team. Holt emphasizes the team's passion: "Everyone was deeply invested, as we have many passionate Final Fantasy fans on the team."
For FFVII, the deck's narrative follows the 1997 original, but Principal Narrative Game Designer Dillon Deveney reveals a clever approach: "We captured the original's narrative while using the Remake trilogy's modern aesthetics to enhance character designs and locations. Where scenes existed in both, we chose the best representation – original, modern, or a unique blend."
FFVI, with its pixel art origins, presented a different challenge. Deveney explains their approach: "We aimed for a design that feels familiar, a hybridization of original concept art, sprites, and Pixel Remaster portraits. We collaborated directly with the FFVI team to ensure we preserved core elements while exploring new creative avenues."
Character selection was another key decision. While Cloud for FFVII was obvious, other choices required brainstorming. Celes was considered for FFVI, but ultimately, the team opted for the main protagonists. FFXIV's MMO nature presented a unique challenge. Y'shtola was chosen for her popularity, spellcasting abilities, and rich storyline, specifically her Shadowbringers arc.
The color identities of the decks were carefully chosen to match both the game's themes and desired gameplay. All four decks include white, for thematic consistency and to accommodate a wider range of heroes. Each deck's strategy reflects its source game: FFVI focuses on graveyard recursion, FFVII on equipment and "power matters" strategies, FFX on creature empowerment, and FFXIV on spellcasting.
While the Commander is central, the supporting casts are not forgotten. Holt assures fans: "Final Fantasy games are full of memorable characters, and including them was crucial. Fans can expect to see many favorites among the 99 cards beyond the Commander."
The Final Fantasy set releases June 13th. While these four games are highlighted in the Commander decks, Holt confirms that all sixteen mainline games will be represented in the broader set. Each deck will be available in a regular edition ($69.99 MSRP) and a Collector's Edition ($149.99 MSRP) with Surge foil cards.
AnswerSee Results AnswerSee Results
