Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy Collide: A Collector’s Dream and a Commander’s Delight

Two iconic worlds collide as Magic: The Gathering (MTG) teams up with Final Fantasy in a Universes Beyond collaboration that's already making waves in the gaming community. The set, slated to release on June 13th, is generating immense hype, with pre-orders for the commander decks selling out rapidly. This partnership promises a unique blend of strategic gameplay and beloved characters from the Final Fantasy franchise.

The popularity of Universes Beyond sets has been undeniable, despite some initial controversy. The draw of seeing familiar characters and worlds translated into the MTG format has proven irresistible for many players. The speed at which the Final Fantasy commander decks sold out underscores the anticipation surrounding this release. According to reports, Amazon and other leading Magic retailers were quickly overwhelmed by the demand, with only slight availability of the Limit Break deck still available.

Each of the four commander decks focuses on a different game from the Final Fantasy series. Limit Break, featuring Cloud and Tifa from Final Fantasy VII, is built around innovative mechanics reminiscent of previous MTG sets, allowing players to strategically manage their resources. The decks also showcase new Summons, which function like the Sagas of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, and Job Select equipment cards, similar to living weapons from Mirrodin Besieged.

While the thematic focus on individual games is appreciated, some argue that it could have been more efficiently utilized. For example, the Final Fantasy 14-based Scions & Spellcraft deck, which emphasizes non-creature spells, could have benefited from the equipment-heavy focus of the Limit Break deck.

Adding to the excitement is the "Through The Ages" bonus sheet, a collection of 64 reprinted MTG cards reskinned with artwork from Square Enix's archives. This bonus sheet will only appear in Collector Boosters and one out of every three Play Boosters, making them highly sought-after by collectors. Each of the 16 mainline Final Fantasy games will be represented by four cards in this special subset.

Some already revealed cards include:

The set releases on June 13, but with pre-orders already exhausted, securing these cards might prove challenging. Will this collaboration be a lasting success, or a fleeting moment of hype? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Will you be trying to get your hands on any of the new MTG Final Fantasy cards?

• Final Fantasy
• Magic: The Gathering
• Universes Beyond