The Gathering’s multiverse is no stranger to bold crossovers, but its upcoming collaboration with Final Fantasy is next-level. This is not just a cosmetic reskin or a collector’s sidebar—it’s a fully draftable, Standard-legal set designed to immerse players in the lore, characters, and epic scale of Final Fantasy through the mechanics of Magic.

Set for release on June 13, 2025, the Final Fantasy crossover marks a massive milestone for both franchises. It blends Magic’s strategic depth with Final Fantasy’s expansive mythology, bringing to life over 100 legendary creature cards, four Commander decks, and entirely new mechanics like Summons and Saga Creatures. The set is shaping up to be more than nostalgia—it’s a reimagining.

New Mechanics: Saga Creatures and Summons

One of the standout innovations in the Final Fantasy set is the introduction of Saga Creatures—Magic’s first hybrid mechanic combining elements of the Saga card type with legendary creatures. Within that design space are Summons, inspired by the recurring summon monsters in Final Fantasy lore, like Shiva, Ifrit, Bahamut, and Alexander.

In traditional Magic, Sagas represent unfolding events, told over the course of three or more turns, with each chapter activating a different effect. This new twist animates that concept—literally. Saga Creatures begin as stories, then transform into legendary creatures that can enter the battlefield and participate in combat.

An early preview showcases Summon: Shiva, which starts as a Saga detailing the invocation of the icy summon, with effects that freeze enemy creatures and slow down tempo. Once transformed, Shiva becomes a potent flying creature with a devastating enter-the-battlefield ability, mirroring her Blizzaga-style attacks from the games.

It’s a flavorful and mechanically sound way to translate the feel of a Final Fantasy battle into a Magic game—build up your resources, summon an epic being, and watch it change the tide of combat.

Double-Faced Legends: The Redemption Arc of Cecil

Another innovative feature returning in this set is the use of double-faced cards, particularly to represent characters with complex story arcs. One reveal that drew attention is the card for Cecil Harvey, the conflicted Dark Knight from Final Fantasy IV, who eventually redeems himself as a Paladin.

The card begins with Cecil, Dark Knight, a black-aligned creature with a powerful but self-damaging effect—reflecting his internal struggle and guilt. Once certain conditions are met (such as using a “Redemption” spell or meeting an in-game milestone), the card flips to Cecil, Redeemed Paladin—a white-aligned version with healing, protection, and leadership abilities.

This design isn’t just clever—it’s thematic gold. It uses Magic’s mechanics to mirror Final Fantasy’s most emotional and transformative character moments. Expect to see similar treatment for characters like Terra, Cloud, Yuna, and Noctis.

Over 100 Legendary Creatures, 55 Borderless Treatments

The Final Fantasy set is packed with legendary characters, a term that in Magic carries gameplay and deck-building implications. According to Wizards of the Coast, the set will include over 100 legendary creatures, with 55 of them receiving borderless art treatments drawn by fan-favorite Final Fantasy artists.

These aren’t just generic fantasy illustrations. The borderless cards are a deliberate fusion of Magic frame design with classic Final Fantasy visuals. Some cards feature art from Yoshitaka Amano, others draw on styles reminiscent of Tetsuya Nomura and Akihiko Yoshida.

Expect iconic names like:

• Cloud Strife – likely a mono-white or white-blue swordsman with exiling effects and heroic auras.
• Tifa Lockhart – red or red-white aggro powerhouse with combo synergies.
• Sephiroth – a mythic black legendary with graveyard recursion and mass destruction.
• Terra Branford – green-blue transformation synergy with creature/planeswalker duality.
• Yuna – a white-blue Summoner with token generation based on Aeon spells.

Each legendary creature is being designed not just for Commander play, but to be draft-viable and thematically rich for Standard as well.

Four Commander Decks: Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, 14

Alongside the main set, Wizards is releasing four preconstructed Commander decks, each based on a different Final Fantasy game:

1. Final Fantasy VI – Likely focused on rebellion and teamwork, possibly using Partner or Ensemble-style mechanics.
2. Final Fantasy VII – Expect combo synergies, Materia-flavored spells, and anti-corporate themes.
3. Final Fantasy X – Summons will take center stage, with Yuna, Tidus, and Aeon mechanics likely driving the gameplay.
4. Final Fantasy XIV – As an MMO, this deck might lean into party mechanics, job-swapping effects, or a mix of class-based keywords.

Each Commander deck contains 100 cards, a blend of newly designed cards and existing Magic staples reprinted with Final Fantasy art and flavor. That means casual players get plug-and-play decks, while collectors and lore fans get a visual treat.

The Draft Experience: A True Magic Set

One of the biggest surprises is that this isn’t a collector-only set—it’s a fully draftable, Standard-legal expansion. That means Magic players can build decks using boosters, play in draft pods, and integrate cards into regular Standard formats.

This positions the Final Fantasy set differently from previous Universes Beyond entries like Warhammer 40k or The Lord of the Rings, which leaned heavily on Commander and collector-focused designs. Here, Magic is treating Final Fantasy not as a novelty, but as a fully integrated world.

This opens doors for:

• Booster Draft tournaments themed around Final Fantasy worlds.
• Standard-legal decks with FF staples at FNM.
• Multi-format legality that ensures a long shelf life.

If the set lands well, it could lead to more in-universe sets like Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger, or even Dragon Quest.

Fan Service With Purpose: A Crossover That Works

A major concern with crossover sets is whether they honor both fandoms. Wizards is walking a tightrope: pleasing Magic veterans with real gameplay depth, while respecting Final Fantasy’s lore and legacy.

So far, the signs are good:

• Characters are mechanically true to their stories.
• Artwork reflects both traditional and modern FF aesthetics.
• Summons function like Final Fantasy battle spells but within Magic’s rules.
• World-building is present—there are cards named after locations like Midgar, Zanarkand, Balamb Garden, and Eorzea.

This crossover isn’t lazy licensing. It’s a full mechanical and aesthetic integration.

Speculation: What Else Could Be in the Set?

Based on what’s been revealed, here’s what might still be coming:

• Chocobo creature types, with abilities like haste, trample, or fast travel (possibly mana ramp or attack evasion).
• Materia equipment, functioning like artifacts with charge counters.
• Espers and Aeons as Summon Saga Creatures.
• Job-based keywords like Monk, Summoner, Dragoon—possibly with “Class synergy” similar to Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
• Side quests as new enchantment types or modal spells.
• Legendary Artifacts like Masamune, Gunblade, Brotherhood, or the Airship Highwind.

Cultural Impression: Why This Set Matters

For a generation of players, Final Fantasy was their gateway into fantasy. For another, Magic was their first card game. This set is a moment of fusion between two of the most impactful franchises in gaming.

It’s a rare opportunity to bring in new players—from RPG fans curious about Magic to MTG veterans curious about FF lore. It also acknowledges how far Magic has come—from a niche game in the ’90s to a massive IP capable of attracting collaborations with global titans.

And unlike most crossovers, this one is long overdue. Final Fantasy is narrative-rich, character-driven, and filled with creatures, spells, and mechanics begging for adaptation. Magic finally delivers.

Release Details Recap

• Set Name: Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy
• Release Date: June 13, 2025
• Set Type: Standard-legal, draftable full set
• Commander Decks: 4 (Final Fantasy VI, VII, X, XIV)
• New Mechanics: Saga Creatures, Summons, Double-Faced Legends
• Number of Legendary Creatures: Over 100
• Special Treatments: 55 Legendary Borderless cards

A Set That Feels Like a Game-Changer

Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy isn’t just fan service—it’s an evolution. New mechanics like Saga Creatures and Summons show that Magic still has design space to explore. Double-faced legends offer storytelling depth. And a full Standard-legal release proves that this is more than a side project—it’s core Magic.

With fan-favorite characters, meaningful mechanics, and beautiful art, this set could be one of the most significant Universes Beyond collaborations yet. Whether you’re sleeving up Shiva or drafting with Cloud, June 13 will be a date to watch.

 

No comments yet.