Warning: The following article contains MAJOR SPOILERS from multiple Final Fantasy games. One month before its full launch, Magic: The Gathering showed off some new character cards from the Final Fantasy crossover expansion set. The new Magic: The Gathering character cards were Final Fantasy 14's Hildibrand Manderville and Zenos yae Galvus, along with new card art for iconic Final Fantasy series figures like Tifa, Squall, Kefka, and Sephiroth.
Final Fantasy is the latest set in Magic: The Gathering's ongoing Universes Beyond saga, which includes cards from franchises like Assassin's Creed and The Lord of the Rings. As the 105th overall expansion to the popular tabletop card game, Wizards of the Coast declared the Final Fantasy set legal for Standard MTG play and draft game modes. Locations and moments from the mainline Final Fantasy series are included with the set, along with Commander Decks that feature protagonists like Cloud and Y'shtola. Pre-orders for the Final Fantasy set are now available on Amazon and at local card shops.
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Final Fantasy 14's renowned composer Masayoshi Soken comments on whether adding a rhythm-style minigame could be possible in the MMORPG.
Although inventory and prices will vary ahead of Final Fantasy's June 13 launch, Magic: The Gathering revealed some additional cards to tide players over. Two Final Fantasy 14 characters, Zenos yae Galvus and Hildibrand Manderville, will be part of the new expansion as legendary creature cards. As the main character of Final Fantasy 14's fan-favorite Hildibrand quest series, the gentlemanly detective includes a Zombie token creature card that can be taken to the field once Hildibrand's Adventure effect is activated via two Black Lands.
Magic: The Gathering Will Include More Iconic Final Fantasy Characters
- Final Fantasy 14 characters Zenos and Hildibrand were revealed as Magic: The Gathering cards.
- Hildibrand's card effect brings a Zombie creature token to the battlefield.
- Zenos is a double-faced card that transforms into Shinryu.
- Standees featuring Tifa, Kefka, and Squall cards appeared at PAX East.
As for Zenos, the main antagonist of the Stormblood expansion is a double-faced creature card that allows the Garlean prince to transform into the legendary dragon Shinryu after taking down a chosen opponent. Shinryu's unique effect, Burning Chains, can come in handy in the multiplayer Commander format, though this may cause other players to focus their attacks on Shinryu and its user.
While Cloud and Sephiroth were previously confirmed as part of the Final Fantasy starter kit, the legendary variants of both character cards were teased to appear at PAX East via some standees throughout the convention. According to posts on the r/MagicTCG and r/FinalFantasy subreddits, characters with PAX East stands include Squall, Kefka, and Tifa.
The effects of each card were replaced with a promotion for an upcoming MTG: Final Fantasy card reveal panel, hosted by Final Fantasy 16 voice actor Ben Starr, on Saturday, May 10, at Noon Eastern. Only time will tell which other Final Fantasy characters will appear in the new MTG expansion.
Magic: The Gathering
- Original Release Date
- August 5, 1993
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Designer
- Richard Garfield
- Player Count
- 2+
- Age Recommendation
- 13+