It's time to head over to Final Fantasy X with the preconstructed Commander deck Counter Blitz. How does the Bant-colored precon stack up?

Counter Blitz Precon Deck Package Contents

For Magic: The Gathering—Final Fantasy, each Commander preconstructed deck will have two versions; a base-level deck and a Collector's Edition version. Here's what's contained within each for Counter Blitz:

Base

• 1 Ready-to-play 100-card Commander deck
  • 1 Traditional foil face commander
  • 1 Traditional foil featured commander
  • 98 Non-foil cards

• 4 Punch-out counter cards and 6 Double-sided tokens
• 1 Collector Booster Sample Pack
• 1 Reference card
• 1 Deck box

Collector

• 1 Ready-to-play 100-card Commander deck
  • 1 Surge foil face commander
  • 1 Surge foil featured commander
  • 98 Surge foil cards

• 4 Punch-out counter cards and 6 Double-sided surge foil tokens
• 1 Collector Booster Sample Pack
• 1 Reference card
• 1 Deck box

Counter Blitz Face Commander

Tidus, Yuna's GuardianTidus, Yuna's Guardian

Counter Blitz Featured Commander

Yuna, Grand SummonerYuna, Grand Summoner

Counter Blitz Precon Decklist

New Cards in the Counter Blitz Precon

Auron, Venerated GuardianAuron, Venerated Guardian is our shooting star in Counter Blitz, and by that we mean the Human Spirit Samurai is very good at making things disappear, a la Night of the Comet. The ability to erase incrementally larger creatures each attack is very powerful - enough so that we can probably assume Auron's going to be a prime candidate for targeted removal.

We don't even have to attack with Chocobo KnightsChocobo Knights themselves to source some double strike action for our counter-laden creatures. And in Counter Blitz, there will be no shortage of ways to get counters on our attackers. Chocobo Knights will win some games at precon tables.

For three mana, we can flash in Gatta and LuzzuGatta and Luzzu and turn lethal damage to another of our creatures into a permanent boon. Compare this with things like Brace for ImpactBrace for Impact and you'll start to see how under-costed and game-altering a well-timed Gatta and Luzzu might be.

The four-mana Cat Warrior called Kimahri, Valiant GuardianKimahri, Valiant Guardian is deceptively powerful, partly because it relies on the power on the other side of the table. One of the best ways a preconstructed deck can hang at higher-bracket games is by using other decks' power against them, and that's exactly what Kimahri does. And remember, the Ronso Rage ability doesn't require Kimahri to attack, which means you can clone an opponent's creature the same turn you cast the Cat Warrior.

Lord Jyscal GuadoLord Jyscal Guado turns counters into Clues, netting us a possible four investigate triggers each turn cycle. That's a lot of card advantage, albeit on the slower side of the speed scale. Still, for a two-mana 2/1, it's not too shabby. You won't be calling it BobBob any time soon, but if your deck is built in a way that synergizes with both counters and Clues, Lord Jyscal's going to be the glue that holds the two strategies together.

There's always been a subtheme in Magic of fancy ladiesfancy ladies who punish opponentspunish opponents for declaring attacksdeclaring attacks, and Lulu, Stern GuardianLulu, Stern Guardian, who might be a Viral DrakeViral Drake in a ball gown, fits right in. Lulu's very straightforward in that regard; if an opponent wants to attack you, something they control is getting stunned. And with a built-in, repeatable proliferate, that creature's going to stay stunned, along with all manner of other counters shenanigans.

If you're looking for a way to ramp up +1/+1 counter production, you can do worse than Maester SeymourMaester Seymour. The Human Elf Cleric cares about doing just that, and only that. Once you set off the Monstrosity, or find another way to increase Seymour's power, you're off to the races.

O'aka, Traveling MerchantO'aka, Traveling Merchant is here to turn any repository of counters into card advantage. In Counter Blitz, that'll likely be by shearing off +1/+1 counters from your creatures. But if we look beyond the precon, O'aka can unleash an Awoken HorrorAwoken Horror, or even Marit LageMarit Lage, that much quicker by melting the ice counters on Thing in the IceThing in the Ice or Dark DepthsDark Depths.

You're probably seeing a pattern here with the new cards featured in Counter Blitz. Rikku, Resourceful GuardianRikku, Resourceful Guardian does not deviate from that pattern, rewarding you for adding counters onto creatures. And just in case an opponent has the audacity to use their own interesting counters, like, say, those generated by things like Tyrite SanctumTyrite Sanctum or Mondrak, Glory DominusMondrak, Glory Dominus, you can just yoink them away.

A sort of reverse evolve, Shelinda, Yevon AcolyteShelinda, Yevon Acolyte is another slight variation on the Counter Blitz theme of adding as many +1/+1 counters onto your creatures as possible. Shelinda's probably not as good as Grumgully, the GenerousGrumgully, the Generous if you're looking for that sort of effect, and it's certainly not as good as Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade if you're okay with all the micromanaging of triggers.

Sin, Unending CataclysmSin, Unending Cataclysm sports the highest mana value of any creature in Counter Blitz, so it's natural to assume it's going to be one of the deck's finishers. And that's exactly what it is. In the precon, Sin will be gobbling up all the counters on your permanents to become a massive game-ender, and you're hoping you'll never have to think about that second ability, which is like a built-in The OzolithThe Ozolith. But outside of precon battles, Sin has the power to circumvent shroud/hexproof, which has the potential to make a Helix PinnacleHelix Pinnacle player very, very sad.

The first of four Saga creatures in Counter Blitz, Summon: IxionSummon: Ixion is a Unicorn that starts as a Journey to NowhereJourney to Nowhere and ends as a Travel PreparationsTravel Preparations. That's not the most impactful, but with cards like O'aka allowing you to move lore counters off your Saga creatures, thus keeping them around forever and repeatedly triggering their chapter abilities, suddenly the Unicorn gets more interesting.

When cards like Summon: Magus SistersSummon: Magus Sisters have the clause "at random" attached to their abilities, we as Commander players are conditioned to look away. There's nothing on the card that says you won't get the worst of the three options relative to the game in which you cast it, every time you flip to the next chapter.

We're casting Summon: ValeforSummon: Valefor to completely gum up the works for as long as it sticks around. First, we're bouncing the most expensive creature each opponent owns, which in a lot of cases sets them all back a turn, then we're stunning three more creatures after that. There are going to be a lot of players who will learn from experience to groan loudly at a freshly resolved Summon: Valefor.

Not to be confused with Opal-EyeOpal-Eye, Summon: YojimboSummon: Yojimbo doesn't waste any time impacting the game. First, it exiles a problematic permanent, then for the next two turns it becomes a Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison. And if that's not already bad enough, the last chapter refunds the mana you spent to cast it. Summon: Yojimbo is one of those cards you love to draw when you've fallen behind.

Speaking of Grumgully, the GenerousGrumgully, the Generous, we've got another creature that evokes the Throne of Eldraine Goblin. At least, that's what Tromell, Seymour's ButlerTromell, Seymour's Butler would be if we stopped reading after the first ability. It's the second part, which allows you to proliferate any number of times between zero and a million, that'll get Tromell into the 99 of many decks outside of Counter Blitz. The most popular mono-green commander around, Fynn, the FangbearerFynn, the Fangbearer, will likely be making room for this butler.

A 4/4 Human Warrior with reach and trample for four mana, Wakka, Devoted GuardianWakka, Devoted Guardian, is our sixth and last of the Counter Blitz Guardians. Wakka is doing its best Trygon PredatorTrygon Predator impression, but with much more pizzazz. No Sol RingSol Ring is safe when you get this much value from connecting with an attack from Wakka.

Protection MagicProtection Magic is as simple and easy-to-understand as its generic-sounding name implies. For two mana, you have an instant-speed way to take three creatures who were about to die from damage and make them safe. And if you're a diplomat at the Commander table, you can even use this to save opponents' creatures.

Yuna's DecisionYuna's Decision presents us with two choices: either we're looking to upgrade our worst creature into something much better, or we're rebuying a couple permanents from our graveyard. Either option as seen on similar cards without the modularity see play in Commander, so it's likely Yuna's Decision will, too.

For Counter Blitz, you're hoping that Yuna's WhistleYuna's Whistle will beckon forth Sin, Unending CataclysmSin, Unending Cataclysm, but likely you're going to find something more in the 2-3 mana value range. Outside of the precon, though, this might be a very funny card to cast if your deck has only one nontoken creature in it, and that creature is ProgenitusProgenitus.

Our only new artifact from Counter Blitz, Blitzball StadiumBlitzball Stadium is exactly what the deck is looking for in an artifact. It both provides counters for your creatures and rewards you for having them. That's pretty much exactly what we're trying to do here, after all.

You might recognize the first ability of Sphere GridSphere Grid as the text from Cazur, Ruthless StalkerCazur, Ruthless Stalker. Cazur only wishes it had the Unlock Ability, er, ability, though. Sphere Grid is an immediate staple in any deck built around +1/+1 counters, let alone Counter Blitz.

Summoner's SendingSummoner's Sending is very reminiscent of other cards we've seen throughout Magic's history, particularly Moorland HauntMoorland Haunt. However, as is tradition in Magic, the newer card is often the best version yet of a particular ability, and that's the case here, too. Opponents using their graveyard are not going to be pleased to see a turn-two Summoner's Sending.

How the Counter Blitz Precon Deck Plays

In short, this deck is perfect for players who love to manage a game-within-the-game. We're adding counters and removing counters, both with impunity. We've got +1/+1 counters of course, but Counter Blitz manages to create many more counters than that. We already know our Saga creatures care about lore counters, but we've also got flying counters, charge counters, vow counters, and shield counters:

• Luminous BroodmothLuminous Broodmoth
• Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice
• Promise of LoyaltyPromise of Loyalty
• Protection Magic Protection Magic 

That's the strategy. Everything in Counter Blitz is tied so closely to creating and distributing counters that nearly every one of the 100 cards in the precon serve that strategy to some extent. One might, when looking at the decklist as a whole, wonder what the deck's payoffs are for all this counter production. Like most precons, Counter Blitz for the most part seeks to win through momentum and incremental value, and to that end it's an extremely tightly constructed deck.

• Walking BallistaWalking Ballista
• Chasm SkulkerChasm Skulker
• Damning VerdictDamning Verdict

That's not to say every card is related to counters. We've got a pretty solid suite of removal, as well, an area in which precon decks tend to suffer:

• An Offer You Can't RefuseAn Offer You Can't Refuse
• Path to ExilePath to Exile
• Destroy EvilDestroy Evil
• Collective EffortCollective Effort
• Endless DetourEndless Detour
• FarewellFarewell

At the end of the day, piloting Counter Blitz is going to feel like constructing a perpetual motion machine. Once you set it into motion, it'll be pretty hard for opponents to stop.

Combos and Synergy in the Counter Blitz Precon Deck

Normally, when we plug in a preconstructed decklist into Commander Spellbook's handy Combo Finder feature, we don't yield any results.

That's not the case with Counter Blitz. 

Straight out of the box, there's already an infinite combo:

• Gatta and LuzzuGatta and Luzzu
• Hardened ScalesHardened Scales
• Walking BallistaWalking Ballista

As we see here, the resulting effect of amassing these three cards is both infinite damage and infinite +1/+1 counters on a creature, though the first one is probably all you're going to need.

And it turns out Gatta and Luzzu have that effect on a lot of cards, not just the two mentioned above. Check out the card's Commander Spellbook page to see the currently documented 47 combos.

Lands and Mana Rocks in the Counter Blitz Precon Deck

With so many cards in Counter Blitz's 99+1 devoted to counters, we had to cut corners somewhere, and that somewhere is in the mana rock department. We've got the standard Sol Ring and Arcane Signet, but beyond that, only a lone Everflowing Chalice that, to be fair, will do a lot of heavy lifting thanks to the multiple instances of proliferate in the deck.

• Sol RingSol Ring
• Arcane SignetArcane Signet
• Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice

Since we're playing green, though, we do get some mana ramp/fixing in the form of spells. And we can't forget a certain white creature that both fits the theme and finds us lands:

• Scholar of New HorizonsScholar of New Horizons
• FarseekFarseek
• Three VisitsThree Visits
• Gyre SageGyre Sage
• Incubation DruidIncubation Druid

As for the lands themselves, we've got a pretty typical collection of 37 lands, including three each of Island, Forest, and Plains. One land worth noting is Nesting GroundsNesting Grounds, because Counter Blitz designers couldn't help it.

Upgrading the Counter Blitz Precon Deck

Budget Alternatives

Each of these inclusions, at the time of writing, is under $1.

Out

• Generous PatronGenerous Patron
• Summon: Magus SistersSummon: Magus Sisters
• Yuna's DecisionYuna's Decision
• Sunscorch RegentSunscorch Regent
• Fight RiggingFight Rigging

In

• Denry Klin, Editor in ChiefDenry Klin, Editor in Chief
• Rishkar, Peema RenegadeRishkar, Peema Renegade
• Evolution WitnessEvolution Witness
• Shalai, Voice of PlentyShalai, Voice of Plenty
• Simic AscendancySimic Ascendancy

We're shedding five cards that, while technically aligned with our counters strategy, are simply not quite good enough in an already very streamlined list. Replacing them are versions of each that are mostly better in every way for our goals; Forgotten AncientForgotten Ancient in for Sunscorch RegentSunscorch Regent, for example.

Value Alternatives

• Falco Spara, PactweaverFalco Spara, Pactweaver
• Brokers AscendancyBrokers Ascendancy
• Lae'zel, Vlaakith's ChampionLae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion
• Mutational AdvantageMutational Advantage
• Wave GoodbyeWave Goodbye

Bracket Upgrades

We've got our pick of Game Changers we can add to Counter Blitz if we want to level up our Bracket:

• Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection
• Worldly TutorWorldly Tutor
• Cyclonic RiftCyclonic Rift
• Fierce GuardianshipFierce Guardianship
• Aura ShardsAura Shards

A Counter Blitz Archetype Change

With Counter Blitz being so devoted to its inherent strategy, any attempt to change the archetype would be swapping out a significant portion of the deck, leaving us with a Ship of Theseus situation on our hands.

So instead of trying to swim against the current, maybe we sould embrace the dark side, instead, by adding these cards:

• Tekuthal, Inquiry DominusTekuthal, Inquiry Dominus
• Prologue to PhyresisPrologue to Phyresis
• Venerated RotpriestVenerated Rotpriest
• Blighted AgentBlighted Agent
• Norn's DecreeNorn's Decree
• Evolution SageEvolution Sage
• Contaminant GrafterContaminant Grafter
• Infectious BiteInfectious Bite
• Metastatic EvangelMetastatic Evangel
• Viral DrakeViral Drake
• Dreamtide WhaleDreamtide Whale
• Triumph of the HordesTriumph of the Hordes

Value vs. MSRP of the Counter Blitz Precon Deck

As we've mentioned in our Precon Guides for Revival Trance and Limit Break, the inflated prices of these preconstructed decks make it very difficult to judge whether they're good value for your dollar. As the prices stand right now, the answer would have to be no, they're not. Especially for the Collector's versions. However, there is still discussion to be had regarding the valuable reprints in Counter Blitz:

• Damning VerdictDamning Verdict
• Resourceful DefenseResourceful Defense
• FarewellFarewell
• Walking BallistaWalking Ballista
• Bane of ProgressBane of Progress

Damning Verdict headlines, but there are several other selections that carry a good chunk of value. And remember, the Final Fantasy-specific art for reprints might skew their value, meaning some reprints that aren't all that expensive might see a FF bump.

Overall Rating of the Counter Blitz Precon Deck and Final Thoughts

Counter Blitz is one of those decks that players will either love or hate, thanks to the core strategy. Keeping track of all the counters going here, there, and everywhere might be a dream scenario for some, while for others it's a nightmare. Where you land on that is up to you, but at face value, Counter Blitz is an excellent example of a counters strategy precon, and for that, we'll give it an A-.

Other Final Fantasy Precons