After an anticipation-filled wait since its announcement at Gen Con 2023, the highly anticipated Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy crossover set is set to launch this summer. While only a handful of card names have been officially revealed, the character roster is expected to feature some of the most beloved figures from the franchise. With an extensive lineup of characters, it seems inevitable that many iconic personas will grace the new card set.
There’s still some uncertainty regarding Square Enix’s involvement in shaping the direction of this crossover, but it’s likely they aim to promote more recent titles to capture the interest of players. This could lead to appearances from characters in Final Fantasy VII, particularly as excitement builds around the ongoing remake trilogy, and from Final Fantasy XIV to draw in new subscribers. The forthcoming set intends to focus on characters yet to be announced officially, which excludes popular figures like Emet-Selch and Lightning. However, characters like Kefka, who have been previewed in various artworks yet unofficially confirmed as playable cards, are expected to make an appearance.
Sephiroth’s Wrath Mechanic Potential
A Fitting Wrath for Sephiroth’s Destruction Plan
Sephiroth stands out as one of the most recognizable antagonists in the Final Fantasy universe. Known primarily as the primary villain in Final Fantasy VII, his influence extends to titles like Kingdom Hearts and Dissidia Final Fantasy. His presence in the upcoming Magic set seems assured, particularly as he has been showcased in multiple pieces of artwork released so far.
When designing a card for Sephiroth, several thematic choices arise. While highlighting his combat skills would be conventional, a more thrilling approach might involve creating a card that references his overarching objective of summoning Meteor. Such a card could incorporate a board wipe mechanism, potentially resembling the “wrath”concept in Magic, allowing Sephiroth to eliminate opposing creatures while often leaving him unscathed, much like Sarulf, Realm Eater.
Celes’ Control Abilities: A Treat for Players
Absorbing Spells: Celes’ Fit with Magic’s Mechanics
Even though Final Fantasy VI remains a fan-favorite, characters like Celes are sometimes overshadowed by more prominent figures like Cloud Strife. However, Celes emerges as a standout character due to her unique journey from antagonist to hero in the story. Her compelling redemption arc and complexity make her a fantastic candidate for a card in this crossover.
In the context of Magic: The Gathering, Celes’ Rune Knight abilities could translate into gameplay interactions, such as negating and absorbing damage from spells while restoring mana. If crafted carefully, this skill could position her as a formidable control component, giving her the capability to counter spells while generating resources for the player’s subsequent turn. Balancing this mechanic could be a challenge, yet if executed well, it would be a perfect fit for Magic’s gameplay dynamics.
Kefka: The Ideal Dual-Faced Character
A Transformation Card for Kefka
Kefka has earned a reputation as one of the most memorable villains in the Final Fantasy series. As a former court mage for the Gestahlian Empire who becomes a rogue seeking ultimate power, his chaotic rise to godhood makes him both fascinating and terrifying. His eccentric design and dramatic acts have led many to draw parallels between him and iconic figures like the Joker.
A captivating way for Magic to portray Kefka could involve a dual-faced card. Initially, players could engage with him as the court mage, but upon unlocking a specified ability or paying a certain cost, they could flip him to reveal his godly form. The thematic fit of a powerful god character aligns impeccably with Magic’s diverse range of card types.
Introducing Bahamut: The Dragon King
Bahamut’s Iconic Status and Role in Magic
Bahamut, the Dragon King, has a rich history within the Final Fantasy franchise, dating back to its inception. Originally appearing as an NPC, he has evolved into one of the most formidable summonable creatures across various game iterations. As a recurring character in the series, the likelihood of Bahamut appearing in Magic: The Gathering seems strong, especially considering the game’s dragon-centric themes.
Within the scope of Magic, dragons are a coveted creature type, spanning all five color identities in gameplay. Envisioning Bahamut as a five-color legendary commander opens exciting possibilities for dragon-themed decks. Interestingly, this wouldn’t mark Bahamut’s first appearance in Magic; an earlier Dungeons & Dragons set already introduced a dragon god named Bahamut.
Balthier: An Integration into Magic Themes
Balthier’s Synergy with Classic Magic Mechanics
Balthier may not be the primary hero in Final Fantasy XII, but he certainly embodies a lead character’s charm. His vibrant personality and journey of self-discovery make him a standout figure in the game, especially as a sky pirate. Balthier’s character aligns seamlessly with several recurring elements in Magic: The Gathering.
Airships have played pivotal roles in Magic lore, notably with vessels like the Weatherlight. Meanwhile, pirate archetypes have cultivated a fun, thematic experience in recent sets, with treasure mechanics growing increasingly popular. Balthier would fit comfortably within the established motifs, providing great opportunities for creative card design.
Bartz and Boko: A Dynamic Pair
Celebrating the Bond Through the Partners Mechanic
Bartz is widely recognized as a fan-favorite protagonist. His upbeat demeanor and unwavering support for his friends make him an endearing character throughout the journey in Final Fantasy V. His close relationship with his trusty Chocobo, Boko, amplifies their appeal, and integrating them into a single Magic card would be an exciting proposition.
Utilizing the Partner mechanic in Magic could allow Bartz and Boko to act as dual commanders, symbolizing their robust bond. Partner mechanics traditionally signal camaraderie, and with the possibility of presenting them in a supplemental Commander product, players would revel in the opportunity to deploy both characters together on the battlefield.
Yuna’s Aeon-Summoning Mechanics Could Shine
The Art of Summoning in Magic: A Core Element
Yuna is renowned as a summoner within the universe, making her an ideal candidate for Magic: The Gathering’s gameplay mechanics, which heavily revolve around creature summoning. Magic could incorporate her character in a few inventive ways—perhaps granting her the ability to fetch creatures from the deck or, alternatively, allowing her to summon a potent creature token by paying a cost.
Harnessing Ultimecia’s Time Manipulation
Power and Style: Ultimecia in Action
While opinions vary on the success of Final Fantasy VIII, there’s no denying the potential for Ultimecia to shine as a character within the Magic realm. Her distinctive style and cunning methods make her a compelling antagonist, paralleling various Magic strategists like Lazav and Queen Marchesa.
Magic could explore Ultimecia’s masterful manipulation of time as a potent ability. In-game, time manipulation often results in granting players extra turns, providing her controller significant advantages. This mechanic could embody Ultimecia’s ultimate desire for control, and incorporating an associated drawback would enhance thematic cohesion—perhaps allowing opponents to deploy creatures during these turns, reminiscent of how Ultimecia’s time spells allowed for strategic shifts in her battles with Squall.
Aerith’s Impactful Moments Designed for Gameplay
Capturing Aerith’s Significance in Gameplay
While it’s reductive to frame Aerith solely by her tragic demise in Final Fantasy VII, this moment remains one of the most notable in gaming history. Magic’s rendering of Aerith will likely reflect her crucial contributions throughout the story, especially her pivotal role in thwarting Meteor via her connection to the Lifestream.
While players are well-acquainted with Aerith’s loss, many likely overlook her later significance in aiding the party’s ultimate battle. A compelling gameplay element for Aerith could involve a triggered ability upon her death or from the graveyard, reminiscent of the DISTURB mechanic seen in “Innistrad.”This design would allow Aerith to be recast from the graveyard, featuring an alternate representation connected to her Lifestream essence or the Holy spell.
Chaos: A Nod to Magic’s Playfulness
The Fun of Chaos Integration in Magic
Chaos, the primary antagonist from the inaugural Final Fantasy title, embodies disruption and conflict, laying an interesting foundation for potential character integration into Magic: The Gathering. Despite not being as nuanced as later villains, incorporating Chaos would provide homage to the franchise’s origins.
Magic often utilizes “chaos”concepts to introduce game-altering randomness, seen in cards like Chaos Warp that shuffle creatures back into the deck and replace them with random cards. A card representing Chaos could delight players by adding unpredictable twists to gameplay, ultimately making it a memorable part of the crossover experience.
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