One of the most anticipated tabletop crossovers of the year is officially on the horizon. Wizards of the Coast has opened preorders for its upcoming Magic: The Gathering set featuring the iconic worlds and characters of the legendary Final-Fantasy video game series. This monumental collaboration, part of the popular "Universes Beyond" product line, promises to merge decades of JRPG history with the strategic depth of the world's premier trading card game.
Fans of both franchises can now secure their entry into a world where Moogles, Chocobos, and summons meet Instants, Sorceries, and Planeswalkers. The set is poised to be a landmark release, celebrating the rich legacy of Square Enix's beloved franchise through the lens of Magic's intricate gameplay.
A Collision of Legendary Worlds
The announcement that Final Fantasy would be joining Magic: The Gathering's "Universes Beyond" was met with massive excitement, and for good reason. Universes Beyond has successfully brought other beloved properties like The Lord of the Rings, Warhammer 40,000, and Doctor Who into the Magic multiverse, creating unique and flavorful sets that honor their source material. The Final Fantasy series, with its sprawling history of 35+ years, offers an incredibly deep well of characters, settings, and lore to draw from.
This upcoming release is expected to span the entire Final Fantasy saga, from the original 1987 classic to the modern era, including the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy XVI. Players can likely anticipate seeing legendary heroes like Cloud Strife, Squall Leonhart, and Zidane Tribal depicted on brand-new cards, alongside infamous villains such as Sephiroth, Kefka, and Ultimecia. The potential for epic storytelling through gameplay is immense, allowing players to recreate famous battles and forge new alliances on the tabletop battlefield.
What to Expect from the Set
While specific card details remain under wraps, we can look to previous Universes Beyond releases to anticipate the product lineup. It is highly probable that the Final Fantasy set will include a full range of products catering to both collectors and dedicated players. This typically includes Play Boosters, which are the standard for drafting and building decks, and Collector Boosters, filled with premium foil treatments, alternate art, and other rare variants for those looking to add some flair to their collection.
Furthermore, pre-constructed Commander decks are a near certainty. These ready-to-play decks are one of Magic's most popular formats and provide a perfect entry point for Final Fantasy fans who may be new to Magic: The Gathering. We can speculate that these decks will be themed around specific games or factions within the Final Fantasy universe. Imagine a deck led by the members of AVALANCHE, or a villain-focused deck helmed by the Gestahlian Empire's most powerful generals. The thematic possibilities are as vast as the series itself.
A Perfect Match for Magic's Mechanics
The mechanics and fantasy elements of Final Fantasy translate seamlessly into the framework of Magic: The Gathering. The iconic Summon system, featuring entities like Ifrit, Shiva, and Bahamut, is a natural fit for powerful Creature cards or game-changing Sorceries. The Job system could be represented through unique creature types or mechanics that allow characters to gain new abilities. Limit Breaks could be implemented as powerful activated or triggered abilities that can turn the tide of a game when a player is on the ropes.
This crossover represents more than just a branding exercise; it's a thoughtful integration of two fantasy powerhouses. For Magic players, it offers a fresh and exciting set filled with nostalgic characters and powerful new cards. For Final Fantasy fans, it provides a brand-new way to engage with the worlds they love, inviting them to experience the strategic depth and community of Magic. As the release date approaches, the anticipation will only continue to build for what promises to be one of the most memorable Universes Beyond sets to date.