"Final Fantasy Commander Decks Unveiled: Cloud, Tidus Featured"

Even if you're not a dedicated player of Magic: The Gathering, you've likely noticed its recent surge in video game crossovers, featuring titles like Fallout, Tomb Raider, and Assassin’s Creed. Now, we're thrilled to offer an exclusive first look at one of the most anticipated collaborations yet: Final Fantasy. This crossover isn't limited to just one game; it spans four iconic mainline Final Fantasy titles, from Final Fantasy VI to XIV, each represented in the preconstructed Commander decks that headline this set.

**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 about what you can expect from these decks, the rationale behind selecting these four games, 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 be a fully draftable, Standard-legal set, accompanied by four preconstructed decks showcased in the gallery above. Each deck contains 100 cards, featuring both reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards tailored for the popular Commander format. Unlike typical Commander precons, which are themed around characters, colors, or strategies, these decks are uniquely built around a single Final Fantasy game – specifically 6, 7, 10, and 14.

"Final Fantasy games are rich with flavor, beloved characters, and unique settings, providing ample material to design a full deck around a single game," says Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt, the Commander Lead for the 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 otherwise."

"The team chose these four Final Fantasy games based on a balance of gameplay desires and the overall recognition of each story," Holt explains. While Final Fantasy 7 and 14 were straightforward choices, 6 and 10 required more discussion but were selected partly because they were favorites among the team. "This project saw immense passion from our team, as we have many dedicated Final Fantasy fans here."

Decisions about the direction of each deck were crucial. For instance, Final Fantasy 7's deck, developed alongside its remake trilogy, aims to capture the essence of the original 1997 game while incorporating the modern aesthetics of the remakes. Dillon Deveney, Principal Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast and Narrative Lead for the set, explains, "Our approach was to reflect the original PS1 game's narrative while using the modern aesthetics of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth to enhance character designs, story moments, and iconic locations. We chose to depict scenes in a way that feels both familiar and nostalgic to fans of both the original and the modern series."

Final Fantasy 6 presented a unique challenge due to its limited modern art references. Deveney notes, "We aimed to stay true to the pixel art sprites and limited concept art while expanding upon them. The character designs should evoke the way fans 'remember' them, blending various references and new ideas." To achieve this, Wizards of the Coast collaborated directly with the Final Fantasy 6 team to update the characters to meet Magic's art standards.

Selecting the lead characters for each deck was another critical aspect. While Cloud was an obvious choice for Final Fantasy 7, other decisions required more thought. Celes was considered for Final Fantasy 6, given the deck's focus on the World of Ruin, and Yuna was a contender for Final Fantasy 10. Ultimately, the team opted for the "lead" characters. For Final Fantasy 14, Y'shtola was chosen due to her popularity and spellcasting abilities, particularly during her Shadowbringers arc. Although the idea of a customizable "Warrior of Light" commander was explored, Holt notes that it would have required complex execution, but players can still find their personal hero represented within the deck.

Crafting a deck to encapsulate an entire game's story, characters, and themes within Magic's five-color system was a significant challenge. "We had to decide on the color identity for each game and the desired gameplay," says Holt. Notably, all four decks include White, which aligns with the themes and allows for a broad range of Heroes to be included.

The deck for Final Fantasy 6 focuses on the latter part of the game, emphasizing rebuilding your party by bringing creatures back from the graveyard. For Final Fantasy 7, Cloud's association with a big sword fits well with the equipment strategies of 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 system, uses a white-blue-green strategy to empower creatures, while Final Fantasy 14's white-blue-black deck leans into noncreature spell casting, allowing for the inclusion of desired characters.

While the Commander format centers on the leader, RPGs often celebrate the entire party. Holt assures fans, "Final Fantasy games are full of beloved and villainous characters, and including them in these decks was crucial. While I can't reveal specifics yet, fans can look forward to seeing their favorite characters as new legendary creatures and in action on other exciting spells."

Magic's Final Fantasy set will be released on June 13. If your favorite Final Fantasy game or character isn't featured, don't worry – Holt promises that "all sixteen mainline games will have their moments to shine in the accompanying products."

Similar to the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks from 2022, these 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.

*Read on for the full, unedited interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Daniel Holt and Dillon Deveney:*