Balthier and FranBalthier and Fran | Art by Arif Wijaya

Hello, Vehicle enthusiasts and Final Fantasy devotees. During Final Fantasy's (FIN) spoiler season, I was anxious to see how Wizards of the Coast would portray Final Fantasy XII characters. While I fully expected Balthier and Fran to appear in the set, I didn't anticipate seeing them on the same card.

Surprisingly, Balthier and FranBalthier and Fran also align with my favorite two-color combination: Gruul ()! Following Balthier and FranBalthier and Fran spoiling, I knew I had to do a deck tech on them.

In case you're unfamiliar, Balthier and Fran are partners and sky pirates in Final Fantasy XII. In addition, they travel the world of Ivalice aboard the airship, the Strahl. Excitingly, the Strahl is a Final Fantasy: Through the Ages (FCA) card reprint for Smuggler's CopterSmuggler's Copter. Yes, you can technically have Balthier and Fran crew the Strahl in Magic: The Gathering!

Before I delve more into Balthier and Fran's synergies, let's talk about what the card can do.

What Does Balthier and Fran Do?

At face value, Balthier and Fran is a legendary 4/3 Human Rabbit with reach. Also, Balthier and Fran grants Vehicles you control +1/+1, vigilance, and reach. Giving Vehicles vigilance and reach is helpful to avoid being overrun by flyers and other aggressive decks.

If that were all of Balthier and Fran's abilities, it would be a playable support card for Vehicle-centric decks. However, there is one more trick up Balthier and Fran's sleeve.

You can earn an additional combat phase by attacking with a Vehicle crewed by Balthier and Fran and paying . We can all agree that it's a bit of a hurdle to gain an additional combat step. Plus, your opponents will see your attempt at triggering another combat step well in advance. Nevertheless, it's a potent ability to utilize, especially in an aggressive Gruul deck.

Balthier and Fran isn't the only commander option synergizing with Vehicles. Bloomburrow Commander's Bello, Bard of the BramblesBello, Bard of the Brambles is capable of turning Vehicles into 4/4 Elemental creatures with indestructible, haste, and a card draw ability. Tragically, Bello, Bard of the Brambles' ability limits the selection of Vehicle cards you can turn into creatures without crewing to those with a mana value of four or greater.

Another comparable commander to Balthier and Fran is Anzrag, the Quake-MoleAnzrag, the Quake-Mole, as both commanders can trigger an additional combat phase via attacking. Where they differ is the hoop you have to jump through to earn an additional combat phase.

Moreover, you don't have the Vehicle synergy with Anzrag, the Quake-Mole that Balthier and Fran provides. If you want an extra combats-centric Gruul commander, stick with Anzurag, the Quake-Mole. However, don't rule out Balthier and Fran entirely.

Key Cards for Balthier and Fran

For this deck tech, I'd like to focus more on Balthier and Fran's Vehicle synergy. Coincidentally, recent sets introduced a handful of exciting red and green Vehicles for the 99. It's almost as if WotC set up Balthier and Fran for success with Aetherdrift's Rocketeer BoostbuggyRocketeer Boostbuggy, Lumbering WorldwagonLumbering Worldwagon, and other Vehicle cards.

Without further ado, let's explore some of Balthier and Fran's key card inclusions for a Vehicles-focused deck.

Vehicles

To build a Vehicles deck, one must have Vehicles in it. Thankfully, there's a smorgasbord of Vehicles available.

At the top of the list is Thunderous VelocipedeThunderous Velocipede. It's pretty absurd receiving a 5/5 trampling Vehicle with upside for three mana. Following in its footsteps is Esika's ChariotEsika's Chariot, which also sees play outside of Commander. Esika's Chariot does what most other Vehicles cannot: make creatures to crew itself.

There are few green Vehicles in Magic, but these two are worthwhile choices.

Evasive Vehicles are also essential considerations. Smuggler's CopterSmuggler's Copter is a shoo-in here. You also can't go wrong with Thunderhawk GunshipThunderhawk Gunship, a flying 6/6 Vehicle that comes with two minions. And did I mention that it can grant all of your attacking creatures flying?

Another fantastic flying Vehicle is Nautiloid ShipNautiloid Ship. Exiling a player's graveyard is useful, as is stealing their beloved creatures from exile. To round out the list of flying Vehicles, the WeatherlightWeatherlight is quite formable.

All four of these Vehicles possess evasiveness and abilities to help you on the path to victory.

Crew Members

It's challenging to attack with Vehicles without creatures to crew them. Fortunately, there are , , and creatures that synergize with Vehicles.

Although it may seem like draft chaff, Intrepid StablemasterIntrepid Stablemaster is stupendous. It slices, it dices, it even produces two mana to cast a Mount or Vehicle spell. Who knew an uncommon could provide a bounty of utility?

While not quite as versatile, Reckless VelocitaurReckless Velocitaur can grant several beneficial abilities to a Mount or Vehicle. One other bulk card you shouldn't live without is Dynamite DiverDynamite Diver. for three crewing power is hard to ignore.

Highlighting a bunch of lower-rarity cards may seem silly, but I assure you, they are excellent.

Moving up the rarity list are two fantastic rare creature cards.

Canoptek SpyderCanoptek Spyder is a sizable 4/4 flyer that serves two purposes. It's a source of colorless card draw and can satisfy a crew 4 requirement. Notably, Canoptek Spyder can solo crew Reaver TitanReaver Titan, CybershipCybership, and Surgehacker MechSurgehacker Mech.

Further, Kona, Rescue BeastieKona, Rescue Beastie is capable of activating crew 4 with upside. Amazingly, you may put a permanent card from your hand onto the battlefield post-combat after crewing a Vehicle with Kona, Rescue Beastie. Attacking with a crewed Skysovereign, Consul FlagshipSkysovereign, Consul Flagship and then placing a Reaver TitanReaver Titan onto the battlefield for free is living the dream.

Roadside Assistance

Even though the deck is predominantly artifacts, creatures, and lands, there is some room for other spells.

One enchantment you shouldn't sleep on is Pia's RevolutionPia's Revolution. Though not guaranteed, returning every nontoken artifact to your hand after entering your graveyard from the battlefield is fantastic.

I'm also impressed by Chandra, Spark HunterChandra, Spark Hunter. I know, planeswalkers are generally weak in Commander. However, Chandra, Spark Hunter is the epitome of a Vehicle support card. Not only does it create Vehicles, but it also turns one into a creature during your turn for free.

Lastly, I want to highlight Defend the RiderDefend the Rider. This card is essentially Tamiyo's SafekeepingTamiyo's Safekeeping with the option to make a 1/1 Pilot creature token that can crew 3—outstanding!

How Does Balthier and Fran Win?

Winning with a Vehicles deck is pretty straightforward: Crew Vehicles and attack opponents. Even so, many Commander games don't go as intended. Having several options to handle unexpected obstacles from opponents is essential.

Creatureless Crewing

Since this deck heavily relies on crewing Vehicles with creatures, a Wrath of GodWrath of God or Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge can wreck your plans. Furthermore, there's limited card draw and recursion available to rebuild your board.

As a countermeasure, cards like Guidelight MatrixGuidelight Matrix, Mech HangarMech Hangar, and Chandra, Spark HunterChandra, Spark Hunter can save the day. Astoundingly, Rocketeer, Boostbuggy, and EarthrumblerEarthrumbler have abilities that turn them into creatures.

If your opponents believe wiping the board of creatures will stop your wheels spinning, they may need to reconsider their strategy.

Finishers

You also have the luxury of a few finishers to turn the game around in your favor.

Bello, Bard of the BramblesBello, Bard of the Brambles in the 99 can turn over half of your Vehicles into 4/4 Elemental creatures with indestructible, haste, and the ability to draw cards. Slamming down Bello, Bard of the Brambles after a timely Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act can be troublesome for your opponents.

Similarly, Start Your EnginesStart Your Engines will turn all of your Vehicles into creatures and give them a two-power buff for one turn.

In case you're on the receiving end of Austere CommandAustere Command, all hope is not lost. You can Push the LimitPush the Limit as a final act of desperation to become victorious.

Balthier and Fran Commander Deck List

There's one point I want to drive home (pun intended): you need multiple ways to turn Vehicles into creatures. Ensure you have a decent amount of creature cards and methods to generate creature tokens.

Utilizing abilities that turn Vehicles into creatures without actually crewing them is helpful too. Also, deck resiliency will assist with maximizing additional combat phase opportunities provided by Balthier and Fran and Great Train HeistGreat Train Heist.

Now it's your turn to take Balthier and Fran for a test drive.