Wizards of the Coast dropped a major bomb on the tabletop community at PAX East with the first full look at Magic: The Gathering – FINAL FANTASY. The upcoming crossover set, which merges Square Enix’s legendary RPG series with Magic’s deepest card design, launches June 13. But the latest reveals show it’s not just a flashy collaboration — it’s a thoughtfully built set packed with bold designs and fan-favorite moments across more than 400 cards.
The expansion features over 400 cards from every mainline Final Fantasy game
The main set includes over 400 cards covering all 16 mainline Final Fantasy titles. That’s every hero, villain, and summon you could ask for — plus a few surprises. Alongside the core set, four Commander pre-constructed decks hit stores the same day, each themed around a specific Final Fantasy game. On top of that, the Through The Ages bonus sheet adds 64 reprinted cards from Magic’s history, redesigned with artwork and themes from the entire Final Fantasy saga.
These reprints won’t just look different — they’ll play differently. Take Sephiroth as Atraxa, Grand Unifier, for example. The iconic Final Fantasy VII antagonist gets a transformational twist inspired by one of Magic’s most popular planeswalkers, complete with original art from Tetsuya Nomura.
Transformation mechanics bring Final Fantasy flair to Magic gameplay
One of the most praised elements of the reveal was how the card mechanics mirror Final Fantasy gameplay. Transformation plays a huge role. Garland from the original Final Fantasy can morph into Chaos, just like in the games. Cecil shifts from Dark Knight to Paladin depending on your life total. These double-faced cards don’t just look cool — they change how you approach the game.
Job Select cards are another clever nod. Casting a Job Select creates a 1/1 Hero token that instantly equips with a corresponding weapon — like a Black Mage with a staff or a White Mage with a rod. This combo-ready design captures the essence of class-based strategy from the RPGs and injects it straight into Magic’s combat system.
Final Fantasy VII gets special treatment with multiple card variants
Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, Aerith, Tifa — the FF7 lineup steals the spotlight with multiple card versions and exclusive art. The Secret Rendezvous cards show Cloud in the Gold Saucer’s skywheel, paired with different partners: Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barrett. Each one offers unique synergies and emotional resonance.
Collector Boosters add another layer with Variant cards like the Golden Traveling Chocobo, a serialized card limited to just 77 copies worldwide. These high-rarity collectibles aren’t just for show; they’re designed to excite both competitive players and collectors.
Iconic villains and summons make powerful entrances
Kefka Palazzo’s MTG debut comes with brand-new artwork from Amano — including his final form, never illustrated by the original artist until now. His chaotic abilities fit perfectly with Magic’s control and disruption playstyles. Zodiark from FFXIV immediately reshapes the battlefield by exiling half of all non-God creatures, while Bahamut gives players a high-risk, high-reward nuke that scales with your mana investment.
Even villains get dynamic roles. Kain’s card plays with trust and betrayal, letting you give control of him to another player after he deals damage. It’s a risky play that feels straight out of the Final Fantasy narrative experience.
New mechanics like Tiered Magic and Adventure lands add strategic depth
The set introduces Tiered Magic, where spells grow stronger based on how much mana you invest. Vivi’s card shines here, with potential for explosive combos. The Adventure mechanic debuts on land cards like Zanarkand, letting you cast a spell first, then play the card as a land later. It’s the first time Magic has tied Adventure to lands, and it opens up brand-new tempo plays.
Multiple Cids and “Meld” mechanics give players creative freedom
Cid, the series’ eternal tinkerer, appears in 15 different forms — one for each Final Fantasy game. Wizards made a smart call by allowing players to use multiple Cid cards in any format, breaking the usual “one copy per name” rule. It’s a thematic and mechanical win.
FFXIII’s Fang and Vanille cards introduce a “meld” mechanic that fuses the two into Ragnarok, a powerful creature that trades one permanent for another upon death. It’s a high-risk combo that feels perfectly suited to the dramatic flair of the Final Fantasy storylines.
What this set means for fans of both franchises
Magic: The Gathering – FINAL FANTASY isn’t just a crossover. It’s a celebration of two decades (or more) of storytelling, strategy, and player creativity. Wizards of the Coast didn’t just slap Final Fantasy art on Magic cards — they integrated the themes, mechanics, and emotions of the games into the core of the set.
Whether you’re a seasoned planeswalker, a crystal-chasing warrior, or both, this set offers something meaningful. It’s a chance to summon your favorite heroes, master the job system once again, and maybe, just maybe, defeat Sephiroth one more time — this time with a deck full of spells and a winged angel on your side.