The long-awaited crossover between Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy is finally on the horizon, with an official release date set for June 13, 2025.
As part of Wizards of the Coast's Universes Beyond series, this set joins other major crossovers such as Fallout and Assassin’s Creed. However, this particular collaboration brings a groundbreaking change to the franchise.
A New Chapter for Universes Beyond
Unlike its predecessors, Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy is the first Universes Beyond set to be Standard-legal. This means that, in addition to being playable in casual formats, it will also be valid for competitive play. Not only that, but this set is fully draftable, giving players the chance to build decks and engage in booster draft formats in ways previous Universes Beyond releases never allowed. The set will showcase characters and themes from all 16 mainline entries of the Final Fantasy series. While the full extent of the set has yet to be revealed, Wizards of the Coast has already unveiled early concept cards, providing a glimpse into what fans can expect.
First Look at the Cards - A Tribute to Final Fantasy’s Legacy
Thus far, only a handful of cards have been showcased, including one particularly powerful game-changer that could have a significant impact on the meta. While we await a broader reveal, early previews suggest a faithful adaptation of Final Fantasy’s unique mechanics and beloved characters into the world of Magic: The Gathering.
Wizards of the Coast has also introduced four pre-constructed Commander decks, each centered around one of Final Fantasy’s most iconic entries. Each deck features a carefully chosen Commander and deck lists reflecting the themes and mechanics of its respective game.
Scions and Spellcraft (Final Fantasy XIV)
For fans of Final Fantasy XIV, the Scions and Spellcraft deck focuses on spell casting and strategic control. The deck’s leader is Y’shtola, Night’s Blessed, an Esper-aligned Commander who embodies Blue's card advantage, White's control elements, and Black's calculated resource management. Y’shtola’s ability rewards casting non-creature spells with a life-drain effect, dealing two damage to all opponents while restoring two life to its controller. Additionally, dealing four direct damage during a turn grants an extra card draw, reinforcing the deck’s strategy of leveraging non-creature spells for sustained advantage.
Welcome to #MTGxFINALFANTASY! We're excited to share a few of the cards and artworks that span the breadth of FINAL FANTASY's main 16 games. https://t.co/MMHBPjtwY9
— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) February 18, 2025
Revival Trance (Final Fantasy VI)
Final Fantasy VI enthusiasts can dive into Revival Trance, a Mardu-colored deck led by Terra, Herald of Hope. This deck leans heavily into graveyard mechanics, combining Red/Black's discard and milling with White's graveyard recursion. Terra’s ability enables the resurrection of creatures with three or fewer power whenever she deals combat damage. Additionally, at the beginning of each turn she remains in play, she mills two cards, ensuring a rich selection of revival options. Her ability to gain flying further aids in ensuring her resurrection triggers land successfully.
For the @FinalFantasy fans who may be new to Magic: The Gathering or the MTG fan who just needs a refresh. Enjoy a breakdown of the elements of a card, while showing off the cutest little Chocobo we could find. #MTGxFINALFANTASY pic.twitter.com/3CJvMAt7IJ
— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) February 18, 2025
Counter Blitz (Final Fantasy X)
Inspired by Final Fantasy X's signature sport, Blitzball, the Counter Blitz deck revolves around counter manipulation and battlefield synergy. Tidus, Yuna’s Guardian leads this Bant-colored deck, emphasizing efficient counter distribution. Tidus enables the movement of counters between creatures while also providing card draw whenever direct damage is dealt. As an added bonus, this deck leverages proliferation mechanics, doubling the number of counters on creatures, making it a strong pick for players who enjoy snowballing advantages over time.
All of the mainline @FinalFantasy games are represented in #MTGxFINALFANTASY and are given the full tentpole release experience. Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Commander decks and more.Mark your calendars for June 13th, 2025. pic.twitter.com/dvaIiJqGkt
— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) February 18, 2025
Limit Break (Final Fantasy VII)
A Final Fantasy VII-themed deck was inevitable, and Limit Break captures the essence of the legendary RPG. Cloud, Ex-SOLDIER, spearheads this Naya-colored deck, focusing on equipment and stat boosts. With Naya's combination of Red/White’s equipment synergy and Green’s stat-buffing potential, Limit Break encourages players to build powerful, well-equipped creatures. Cloud gains a free upgrade upon entering the battlefield, and he also facilitates card draw when surrounded by sufficiently equipped allies. The deck also features Treasure Token generation, assisting with the often-costly equip mechanics.
The #MTGxFINALFANTASY Starter Kit is the perfect leaping off point for FINAL FANTASY fans to start playing Magic! Cloud, Planet's Champion and Sephiroth, Planet's Heir are ready to face off in two ready-to-play decks found within. pic.twitter.com/Ptvex4VpCF
— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) February 18, 2025
MTG X Final Fantasy Starter Kit: Cloud vs. Sephiroth
For those new to Magic: The Gathering or looking for a streamlined gameplay experience, the MTG X Final Fantasy Starter Kit is an ideal entry point. This kit includes two pre-constructed decks designed for head-to-head play. The Boros (Red/White) deck, led by Cloud, the Planet’s Champion, embraces an aggressive, equipment-based strategy, mirroring his battle prowess in Final Fantasy VII. Meanwhile, the Dimir (Blue/Black) deck, commanded by Sephiroth, Planet’s Heir, focuses on control-based tactics, gaining strength as it removes opposing creatures from the battlefield. Even experienced players may find the Starter Kit appealing, as it provides an opportunity to relive the legendary rivalry of Cloud and Sephiroth in an entirely new format.
With its June 13, 2025, release date, Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy is shaping up to be a landmark crossover. Its Standard legality, draftability, and diverse Commander decks ensure that fans of both franchises will have plenty to look forward to. Whether you’re a long-time MTG player or a Final Fantasy devotee looking to step into the world of tabletop strategy, this set promises something for everyone. Stay tuned as Wizards of the Coast reveals more details in the lead-up to launch!