Final Fantasy & Magic: The Gathering Decks – A Crossover Sensation!
The highly anticipated crossover between Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy is creating a buzz among fans! The Universes Beyond sets have proven controversial, yet undeniably successful, solidifying their place in the Magic: The Gathering universe. Pre-orders for the four Final Fantasy commander decks, unveiled recently, have already sold out at major retailers like Amazon, signaling massive demand.
The decks, each themed around a different game from the RPG series, include:
- Limit Break (Final Fantasy VII): Featuring Cloud and Tifa, this deck is still available on Amazon for $69.99.
- Other decks: Sold out individually and as a full collection on major platforms.
Each deck boasts new legendary creatures, enchantments, and artifacts, along with reprints of valuable classic cards. The mechanics also cleverly mirror concepts from regular Magic sets. For instance, Limit Break's mechanics resemble Outlaws of Thunder Junction's spree, allowing players to spend mana based on the number of tapped creatures they want to eliminate. Summons, particularly in the Final Fantasy X-based Counter Blitz deck, are akin to the Sagas of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, serving as enchantment creatures that are sacrificed after three turns.
However, some argue that thematically aligning each deck with a single game might not optimally leverage each Commander's strengths. The Final Fantasy 14-based Scions & Spellcraft deck, for example, focuses on non-creature spells but includes too many creatures representing the game's characters.
One standout element in the Counter Blitz deck is the re-flavored Inspiring Call, now featuring the iconic laugh scene from Final Fantasy X. The card's flavor text perfectly captures the awkward yet heartwarming moment between Yuna and Tidus, transforming a simple spell into a nostalgic tribute. This highlights the set's ability to blend gameplay with fan-favorite Final Fantasy moments.
Sephiroth also makes an appearance in the set, with a double-faced card featuring original artwork by Tetsuya Nomura. Intriguingly, Nomura hinted that one side of the card, Safer Sephiroth, might differ from the original game's depiction, potentially foreshadowing changes in the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3.
The set officially releases on June 13, but given the rapid pre-order sell-outs, obtaining these cards might prove challenging.
What are your thoughts on this crossover? Which deck are you most excited about, and what modifications do you plan to make? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below!
