Final Fantasy TCG: Commander Decks Emerge for Cloud, Tidus

Get ready for a magical adventure! This June, Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy collide in an exciting crossover featuring four preconstructed Commander decks, each themed around a different mainline Final Fantasy game: VI, VII, X, and XIV.

A First Look at the Decks:

Check out the gallery below for an exclusive sneak peek at the key card and packaging for each deck.

13 Images

Deck Details:

Each 100-card deck boasts a mix of reprinted cards with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed specifically for Commander. The decks aren't just character-themed; they're game-themed, immersing players in the lore and iconic moments of each title. Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt explains the approach: "Final Fantasy games are rich with flavor, characters, and settings. Focusing on a single game per deck allowed us to delve deep into the lore."

Game Selection:

The choice of Final Fantasy VI, VII, X, and XIV was a careful balance of gameplay appeal and story recognition. While VII and XIV were easy choices, VI and X required more deliberation, ultimately selected due to their popularity within the development team. Holt highlights the team's passion: "Everyone was invested, as we have many passionate Final Fantasy fans."

Final Fantasy VII: A Blend of Nostalgia and Modern Aesthetics:

The Final Fantasy VII deck tells the story of the original 1997 game, but Principal Narrative Game Designer Dillon Deveney reveals a unique twist: "We used the Remake trilogy's modern aesthetics to enhance character designs and locations. It's a blend of familiar nostalgia and modern interpretation."

Final Fantasy VI: A Nostalgic Tribute:

Recreating the feel of Final Fantasy VI's pixel art presented a unique challenge. Deveney explains their approach: "We synthesized elements from Yoshitaka Amano's concept art, sprites, and Pixel Remaster portraits. We collaborated with the FFVI team to ensure we preserved core elements."

Commander Choices:

While Cloud was an obvious choice for Final Fantasy VII, other selections involved considerable brainstorming. Terra, Cloud, Tidus, and Y'shtola (during her Shadowbringers arc) were ultimately chosen as the deck leaders. The team explored a "Warrior of Light" commander, but those ideas proved complex.

Gameplay and Color Identity:

Each deck's color identity was carefully chosen to reflect both the game's theme and desired gameplay. All four decks include White, which aids in theming and allows for a diverse range of heroes. The decks' strategies vary: VI focuses on graveyard recursion, VII utilizes equipment and "power matters" cards, X mirrors the Sphere Grid system, and XIV leans into non-creature spellcasting.

Supporting Characters:

While the commanders take center stage, the supporting casts are not forgotten. Holt emphasizes the inclusion of beloved characters: "Fans can expect to see many favorite characters as legendary creatures and in spells."

Release and Collector's Editions:

The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy set launches June 13th. All four Commander decks will be available in regular and Collector's Editions (featuring Surge foil cards). Holt promises that all sixteen mainline Final Fantasy games will be represented across the accompanying products.

(Poll Questions remain unchanged and are included in the original text.)