The Magic: The Gathering universe has just expanded in a monumental way with the release of the Final Fantasy crossover set, marking the first time this beloved gaming franchise receives full standard-legal treatment in the card game.
This ambitious collaboration between Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix is set to excite legions of fans from both communities, and it intricately weaves together the rich histories and experiences of the two iconic series.
As Magic fans embrace eagerly awaited cards inspired by the narrative and mechanics of 16 mainline Final Fantasy games, let’s highlight some standout innovations and references that perfectly marry these two universes.
One of the most innovative mechanical additions to the Final Fantasy set is the introduction of “Tiered” spells.
This mechanic allows players to pay an additional cost to choose one of three tiers of power for their spells.
Drawing a parallel from Final Fantasy, many of the best-known magic spells evolve through three stages: the base form, the stronger -ara suffix version, and the most powerful -aga variant.
In the Magic set, the tiered spells are split into two categories.
Some reflect the iconic limit break attacks from Final Fantasy VII, showcasing the unique ability of characters to develop stronger special abilities over time.
Others are thematically linked to elemental and restorative magic, cleverly utilizing Magic’s color identities.
For example, red spells focus on aggressive fire and thunder magic, while blue spells, including ice spells that can bounce cards back to opponents, echo the interruption and control elements intrinsic to the blue color archetype.
This thoughtful design bridges the gap between the magic systems in both franchises, enabling fans of Final Fantasy to find familiarity in Magic’s gameplay.
Among the playful nods to the Final Fantasy legacy is the famous martial ability from FF VI, “Suplex,” originally used by the character Sabin.
This move allows Sabin to lift and slam opponents, including the notorious encounter with the Phantom Train.
In Magic, this iconic moment is encapsulated in the card titled Suplex, which deals three damage to a creature but can also exile an artifact—reminding players that the Phantom Train counts as an artifact in this set.
Another fascinating character, Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII, makes her presence known through the card Lightning, Army of One.
It cleverly incorporates mechanics that nod to her abilities and combat style in the game.
With a name inspired by her powerful combo attack, Lightning’s keywords such as Trample and First Strike enhance her role as an aggressive combatant.
Furthermore, her unique ability called Stagger captures the action of dealing bonus damage after successfully hitting an opponent multiple times, echoing her in-game mechanics and creating synergy with other attacking creatures.
Perhaps one of the more poignant references in the Final Fantasy lore is the deeply tragic moment when Sephiroth kills Aerith.
In the Magic card representation, Sephiroth, Fabled Soldier’s design reflects this relationship.
Aerith’s life gain mechanics can complement Sephiroth’s effects, enabling a potentially dark synergy between the two cards, especially since Aerith’s death transfers her accrued counters to other legendary creatures, including Sephiroth himself.
Players can even opt for Sephiroth’s Intervention, a black Instant that conveniently destroys any target creature, echoing the darker themes of the original storyline.
The Final Fantasy XIV lore regarding the “Final Days” also appears in thematic, gameplay-relevant cards throughout the Magic set.
In this instance, Zodiark, Umbral God exemplifies the cataclysmic influence of this lore by forcing opponents to sacrifice half their creatures, a direct reference to the Ancients’ sacrifices in the battle against the impending Final Days.
The character Emet-Selch, Unsundered also features, contributing mechanics that reflect his tragic history and eternal quest to restore his world, transforming into Hades based on actions related to the graveyard.
Items familiar to fans return as well, such as Phoenix Down, which serves the dual purpose of reviving creatures while borrowing from Final Fantasy’s tradition of treating healing items as harmful to undead foes.
This clever mechanic emphasizes the genre’s depth while maintaining the crossover theme.
Furthermore, the humble Tonberry, typically perceived as deceptively harmless, enters the game with formidable mechanics reflective of its lethality.
While a Tonberry enters the battlefield with a stun counter, meaning it will take time before it can attack, once it does, it arrives swinging with lethal damage.
This kind of representation stays true to the character’s threatening nature while remaining playful for players.
Another notable moment captured is Galuf’s self-sacrificial battle against Exdeath in Final Fantasy V—a significant emotional turning point.
This is mirrored through the card Galuf’s Final Act, which boosts a creature’s power at the cost of passing on +1/+1 counters upon its demise, illustrating a legacy carried forward.
Players will also appreciate the clever homage to the iconic “Fight or Flight” choice from Final Fantasy VII, depicted through the card Aerith Rescue Mission.
This card smartly presents players with two paths, either generating Hero Tokens for battle or stunning enemy creatures, directly recalling the choice made by characters during a pivotal moment in the narrative.
The cycle of Sin, a thematic core of Final Fantasy X, is beautifully represented by the card Sin, Unending Cataclysm, which removes counters from creatures and has unique graveyard mechanics that echo the unending cycle of destruction in the game’s lore.
The card Champions From Beyond pays homage to these beloved MMO elements by referencing cooperative gameplay, rewarding players with token creatures while emulating effective team strategies inspired by the community dynamics of Final Fantasy XIV.
The striking Blue Magic representation brought forth by Quistis emphasizes her archetype’s ability to learn and absorb skills from opponents in-game, manifesting in card mechanics that allow players to cast spells from any graveyard.
Meanwhile, the conflicted character Kain, Traitorous Dragoon, cultivates a unique interplay with his ability to change ownership during combat, encapsulating his frequent betrayals throughout Final Fantasy IV.
Ashe’s Temptation presents a moral dilemma akin to her plot in Final Fantasy XII, highlighting the dynamic of temptation and revenge against an arch-enemy, allowing players to enact their own strategic choices based on opponent actions.
Among the set’s light-hearted elements, Ignis’ card embodies his role as the party’s cook in Final Fantasy XV, lending weight to his role of healing and support through creative recipes.
Notably, even established Magic cards undergo a reimagining based on Final Fantasy’s themes, such as Relic of Legends.
This artifact’s new art and meaning evokes a tragic incident in Final Fantasy XIV’s Heavensward expansion.
By integrating emotional narrative elements into gameplay, Wizards of the Coast successfully deepens the experience of both Final Fantasy and Magic players alike.
Lastly, the Clash of the Eikons card encapsulates the spectacular battles from Final Fantasy XVI while providing mechanics that reflect the essence of summon creatures that have defined the series throughout the years.
Despite the absence of an individual Warrior of Light card, the character is acknowledged through the special bonus sheet, linking the protagonist to the concept of unifying heroes across the franchise as represented by the reprint of the iconic Magic card Jodah the Unifier.
As Jodah encourages synergies amongst Legendary Creatures, it aptly symbolizes the collaborative spirit of both Magic and Final Fantasy, showcasing the richness and diversity of characters that span generations.
The Final Fantasy Magic set stands as a testament to the captivating blend of storytelling, mechanics, and nostalgia, reinforcing the deep connections forged between two gaming powerhouses across decades.
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