Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier | Art by Toni Infante | Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIERSephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER | Art by Wisnu Tan  | Choco, Seeker of ParadiseChoco, Seeker of Paradise | Art by Miho Midorikawa | Terra, Magical AdeptTerra, Magical Adept | Art by Clare Wong | Kefka, Court MageKefka, Court Mage | Art by Xui Ton

Hey, nerds! With the release of Final Fantasy, we're introduced to 97 new commanders from the main set. And while many people might ask which of these is the most powerful, I prefer to ask how fun they are.

Of course, each person's definition of fun differs, so I might rate a commander lower or higher than you; that doesn't mean I think it's bad or that you're bad for playing them; and to be clear, this is for casual EDH only.

Because of how many commanders there are in the precons and main set, I've split my fun ranking for the set into two parts. So make sure to check out my precon commander fun ranking after this.

And if you're looking for deck techs for any of the commanders you see below, you can find all of our Final Fantasy deck techs here.

The ranks are as follows:

• Want to Build: I'm interested in building these commanders. Their effect could be unique or a new take on an old mechanic I like.
• Fun: These are close to wanting to build, but I'm not going out of my way to brew a list for myself.
• Could Be Fun: These commanders are powerful and don't pull you in a single direction, but because of that, it allows you to build weird strategies with a powerful engine, or have unique build paths that could work.
• Fun in the 99: Sometimes commanders are printed for 60-card Magic or to support a theme. I don't want to call them not fun, since they usually are fun. But just not fun as the leader of a deck.
• Not Fun: This is usually reserved for older commanders who are seven-mana vanilla creatures, something way too jank, or are too salt-inducing for my taste.

Adelbert SteinerAdelbert Steiner

A straightforward Equipment matters commander. Nothing exciting about him, though.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Aerith GainsboroughAerith Gainsborough

A new life gain commander that looks incredibly fun. And white has cheap ways to reanimate Aerith allowing you to grow your board.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Ambrosia WhiteheartAmbrosia Whiteheart

Solid in the 99 of a Bird deck. But as a commander it’s underwhelming.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Ashe, Princess of DalmascaAshe, Princess of Dalmasca

Ashe requires a lot of work just to maybe draw an Artifact. I could see her being an Equipment commander, but she's more fun in the 99.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Beatrix, Loyal GeneralBeatrix, Loyal General

Beatrix is a great role-player in an Equipment deck. But I also see her as a go-wide Equipment deck that swings out with a single suited up token each turn.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Cloud, Midgar MercenaryCloud, Midgar Mercenary

A Stoneforge MysticStoneforge Mystic in the command zone is cool. And his second ability is so powerful and fun.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Dion, Bahamut's DominantDion, Bahamut's Dominant

Dion is a great Knight support piece. The second ability is too expensive to be worth as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

G'raha TiaG'raha Tia

A low-powered aristocrat or eggs commander. Great in the 99 of an Archer or artifact deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Minwu, White MageMinwu, White Mage

An easy to understand Cleric commander. It isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but I know people will love this.

Fun Ranking: Fun 

Rosa, Resolute White MageRosa, Resolute White Mage

It’ll be a solid roleplayer in a Minu, White Mage deck for sure. And in any +1/+1 counters deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Snow VilliersSnow Villiers

It's a big beat stick that dies to Lightning BoltLightning Bolt. It's more fun in the 99 than as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Stiltzkin, Moogle MerchantStiltzkin, Moogle Merchant

You can give your opponents mean cards to ruin their evening. Or just play a weird group hug commander.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Venat, Heart of HydaelynVenat, Heart of Hydaelyn

A legendary-matters commander in white is great. I like that their flip ability is also removal, and the back is powerful.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Zack FairZack Fair

A solid roleplayer in the 99 of counters, Humans, or Equipment decks. I’m not seeing the appeal of running this as a commander, though.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Edgar, King of FigaroEdgar, King of Figaro

Powerful card draw effect if you wanted to build a mono-blue artifact Blink deck. Also feels right at home in a Krark, the ThumblessKrark, the Thumbless deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Gogo, Master of MimicryGogo, Master of Mimicry

This is one of those commanders that will have some weird, jank builds that copy obscure effects. Or it'll be one of the most degenerate combo decks you’ve ever seen.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun 

Jill, Shiva's DominantJill, Shiva's Dominant

A great roleplayer in a blink deck and I’m sure has some combo potential. And the backside looks great for Ninjas, but this is a 99 card.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Matoya, Archon ElderMatoya, Archon Elder

This is an incredibly powerful scry and surveil commander that leaves you open to build a ton of decks. It will be better in decks with surveil lands, however it can stand on its own.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Quistis TrepeQuistis Trepe

This is a slightly different Snapcaster MageSnapcaster Mage in the command zone. You can target your opponent’s graveyard, but it doesn’t have flash.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Ultimecia, Temporal ThreatUltimecia, Temporal Threat

Having a combat focused blue commander is awesome. And it fits great in the 99 of Ninja or tap decks.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Ultros, Obnoxious OctopusUltros, Obnoxious Octopus

It’s just a little guy. Tapping your opponents' creatures is powerful and you get a big Octopus. But it's underwhelming as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Y'shtola RhulY'shtola Rhul

This card will be a rules nightmare in paper, but that won’t stop people from jamming her and having a great time.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Ardyn, the UsurperArdyn, the Usurper

A mono-black Demon commander that's also graveyard hate and has a reanimation effect. I’m not surprised this thing is eight mana.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Fang, Fearless l'CieFang, Fearless l'Cie

I’m so excited to have another piece for my Graveyard Shuffle deck. But the once per turn clause and having meld means it goes into the 99.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Gaius van BaelsarGaius van Baelsar

Great in five-color Humans or a blink deck. Not something I’m interested in as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Jecht, Reluctant GuardianJecht, Reluctant Guardian

This is a card meant for 60-card Magic or in the 99 of a Warrior deck. His Saga side is powerful but isn’t something I enjoy doing in commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Kain, Traitorous DragoonKain, Traitorous Dragoon

I’m not a fan of when commanders need to deal combat damage to players. But in this case, I love the group hug aspect of this commander.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Reno and RudeReno and Rude

There are a lot of hoops to jump through just to steal someone’s card. I’ll try it in an Assassin deck, but not as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIERSephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER

An incredibly powerful Blood ArtistBlood Artist we have access to from the command zone that when flipped gives you a Blood Artist Emblem. Getting Sephiroth to flip will be trivial in the right deck.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Seymour FluxSeymour Flux

A Phyrexian ArenaPhyrexian Arena in the command zone is neat. Don’t see much appeal to them aside from being card advantage you’ll always have access to.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Vincent ValentineVincent Valentine

It has a fun effect that lets you smash face and doesn’t require any setup to just flip him over. And the back side has some interesting combo potential.

Fun Ranking: Fun 

Zenos yae GalvusZenos yae Galvus

I was tempted to put them as Not Fun, but having an alternate win condition can be fun and it requires setup. Having this come out of the 99 is more interesting, but I won’t mind sitting across from it.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Zodiark, Umbral GodZodiark, Umbral God

This sure is a big guy that costs a lot of black mana. I could see it in a mono-black gods deck or in my Mikaeus, the UnhallowedMikaeus, the Unhallowed deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Barret WallaceBarret Wallace

I’ve been looking for a mono-red Equipment commander, and Barret is a contender. I’m enjoying seeing the go-wide Equipment commanders instead of Voltron.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Clive, Ifrit's DominantClive, Ifrit's Dominant

Looks fun as a card advantage piece in a mono-red or Demon deck, but I want more from a commander. Also, sad it doesn’t have any keywords on the back side.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Firion, Wild Rose WarriorFirion, Wild Rose Warrior

A unique commander that works great with Equipment that makes tokens when they enter. Also, it gives me a home for Sundial of the InfiniteSundial of the Infinite to keep some of the token Equipment around.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Freya CrescentFreya Crescent

A one-mana legend that slots perfectly into Equipment decks. There's likely enough Equipment to build a creatureless Equipment deck, and Freya would make a great commander for that deck.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Gilgamesh, Master-at-ArmsGilgamesh, Master-at-Arms

Between this and Godo, Bandit WarlordGodo, Bandit Warlord we can build mono-red Samurais. There will still need to be some Changelings in the deck, but I’m into this.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Lightning, Security SergeantLightning, Security Sergeant

Great as a card advantage engine in Human or Soldier decks. It's too fragile as a commander, and I don’t like that it needs to deal combat damage to trigger.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Prompto ArgentumPrompto Argentum

There isn’t a once-per-turn restriction, and it doesn’t make tapped Treasures. This will be a fun mono-red Spellslinger commander or a degenerate combo deck.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Queen BrahneQueen Brahne

I love that this is repeatable and doesn’t require combat damage to trigger. A shame mono-red doesn’t have a ton of ways to make permanent copies of tokens.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Raubahn, Bull of Ala MhigoRaubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo

Raubahn can either be built as a go-wide Equipment or a traditional Voltron deck. Can’t wait to see a Colossus HammerColossus Hammer attached to him.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Seifer AlmasySeifer Almasy

A Dreadhorde ArcanistDreadhorde Arcanist in the command zone, but without trample. I’d jam this in the 99 of a spells deck, but not as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Vaan, Street ThiefVaan, Street Thief

You still need to pay to cast the spells you exile, and have to use the correct colors. It’ll be great in a multicolor Pirate or Rogue deck, but I’d still consider running it as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Zell DinchtZell Dincht

Time to build mono-red lands. The second ability works great with utility lands like Clive's HideawayClive's Hideaway, Diamond CityDiamond City, and Spinerock KnollSpinerock Knoll.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Bartz and BokoBartz and Boko

I wish I had kept my Bant Bird deck from a decade ago, because Bartz would have slotted perfectly into it. There aren’t enough Birds in mono-green for this to be a commander, yet.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Diamond WeaponDiamond Weapon

This sure is a big boy that doesn’t do much. I could see an Aura deck built around this.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Quina, Qu GourmetQuina, Qu Gourmet

I love blue mages and I love frogs. The second I saw Quina spoiled, I knew I had to build a mono-green Food and Frog deck.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Sazh KatzroySazh Katzroy

There are a lot of things going on with Sazh. It could be a fun +1/+1 counter commander, but I’d rather put it into the 99 of a deck.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Tifa LockhartTifa Lockhart

Works great with combat tricks and fetch lands. The biggest issue is that you can only knock out one player at a time with Tifa before you swiftly get removed from the game.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Torgal, A Fine HoundTorgal, A Fine Hound

I enjoy commanders that focus on two creature types like this. It also works great as a mana generator in a Human deck that puts a +1/+1 on creatures.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Absolute VirtueAbsolute Virtue

A powerful eight-mana commander that I'll be holding a board wipe for. I could see this as a reanimation target.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Cid, Timeless ArtificerCid, Timeless Artificer

The first time we have a commander who allows any number of them. Without Mirror BoxMirror Box effects Cid is an underwhelming commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Hope EstheimHope Estheim

This commander will end up being some combo deck that one-shots the table. And if not, it’ll just fuel graveyard decks at the table. This is one of the few, if not the only commander that I’ll be putting in Not Fun.

Fun Ranking: Not Fun

Tidus, Blitzball StarTidus, Blitzball Star

Get’s big with artifacts but lacks any keywords. Pretty underwhelming, and I could see this in the 99 of an artifact or Equipment deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Emet-Selch, UnsunderedEmet-Selch, Unsundered

A Yawgmoth's WillYawgmoth's Will in the command zone is so powerful. Yes, Yawg’s Will is a powerful combo piece, but I want to play a value Yawg’s Will.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Golbez, Crystal CollectorGolbez, Crystal Collector

The most damage that can be dealt with that second ability is 13. But it's an artifact deck, so just make nonlegendary token copies of Golbez.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Locke ColeLocke Cole

A great roleplayer for a Rogue deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Sephiroth, Planet's HeirSephiroth, Planet's Heir

An underwhelming board wipe from the command zone.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Ultimecia, Time SorceressUltimecia, Time Sorceress

I’m sure there's a way to break this as a commander. And as much as I love a deck-building puzzle, I don’t want extra turns from the command zone.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Xande, Dark MageXande, Dark Mage

A big boy that hits hard.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Black Waltz No. 3Black Waltz No. 3

Black Waltz is a supercharged black mage that can quickly burn the table. Great combo potential with Tainted StrikeTainted Strike.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Garland, Knight of CorneliaGarland, Knight of Cornelia

I’d rather keep Garland on his front side for that sweet card advantage at two mana. Makes a great budget Rakdos midrange commander.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Kuja, Genome SorcererKuja, Genome Sorcerer

Is it weird that I don’t want this thing to transform so I can keep getting black mages? I can see this as a fun commander or in the 99 of a Wizard deck.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Balthier and FranBalthier and Fran

A Gruul Vehicle commander is unique, but Vehicles aren't great in commander. And you have to pay three mana for extra combat.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Gladiolus AmicitiaGladiolus Amicitia

A perfect card for my Colossal DreadmawColossal Dreadmaw deck. Otherwise, not interested in a commander that just grabs Field of the DeadField of the Dead or Gaea's CradleGaea's Cradle.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Rydia, Summoner of MistRydia, Summoner of Mist

Gruul Sagas was not on my bingo card. That landfall ability is great, and there are plenty of ways to remove the finality counter from the Sagas.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Garnet, Princess of AlexandriaGarnet, Princess of Alexandria

A lower-power Saga commander that's unique and works great in the 99. I love the minigame of deciding when to remove lore counters from Sagas.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Rinoa HeartillyRinoa Heartilly

No keywords on either it or the token it makes. A mediocre token commander that's outclassed and doesn’t seem all that fun.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Serah FarronSerah Farron

A legendary creature anthem that has a simple flip requirement and a powerful effect on the back. It is straightforward, but I see the appeal here.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Yuna, Hope of SpiraYuna, Hope of Spira

I’m glad her first ability is only on your turn. But her second ability will either ruin the game for everyone or be a powerful value engine.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Cecil, Dark KnightCecil, Dark Knight

Cecil makes a cool token commander. Notably, they don’t have to deal combat damage, so if you can make them into a pinger, it will be easier to flip.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Judge Magister GabranthJudge Magister Gabranth

A completely fine sacrifice payoff in the command zone. Not very impactful or interesting as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Rufus ShinraRufus Shinra

Makes a token that can be sacrificed every turn if you attack.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Squall, SeeD MercenarySquall, SeeD Mercenary

Orzhov on-hit sounds like a fun deck idea. I wish I didn’t have to deal combat damage with Squall for his second ability.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Shantotto, Tactician MagicianShantotto, Tactician Magician

A simple Izzet commander that might draw a bunch of cards. Drawing cards is fun and you can fling this at someone if it gets big enough.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Tellah, Great SageTellah, Great Sage

A token generator that also draws cards is great. I can see the appeal of running them as a commander or slotting them into the 99 of artifact or Superfriends decks.

Fun Ranking: Fun

The Emperor of PalameciaThe Emperor of Palamecia

I’d argue this is one of the strongest commanders in the set. Getting them to flip, giving it haste, and filling the graveyard to one-shot the table should be trivial in Izzet.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier

Another crazy powerful Izzet commander that will combo off.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Cloud of DarknessCloud of Darkness

Interesting removal for a Legendary-Matters deck, but not an interesting commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Exdeath, Void WarlockExdeath, Void Warlock

It smashes face well, but dies to Lightning BoltLightning Bolt. But I can also see it being built like Yargle and MultaniYargle and Multani.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Jenova, Ancient CalamityJenova, Ancient Calamity

A Mutant commander that can draw a bunch of cards. I love it when obscure creature types get a good commander.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Vanille, Cheerful l'CieVanille, Cheerful l'Cie

Thankfully, you can play Fang in a Vanille deck, and the meld creature is powerful. But not enough to want to build Vanille as a commander.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Cloud, Planet's ChampionCloud, Planet's Champion

If you want to build an Equipment commander, Cloud will be good. He attacks easily and just needs some trample to be a problem.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Giott, King of the DwarvesGiott, King of the Dwarves

A Dwarf and Equipment commander provides repeatable card selection. Great in the 99 or at the helm.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Joshua, Phoenix's DominantJoshua, Phoenix's Dominant

Joshua is too slow to be a dedicated commander. I’d rather slot them into a Saga deck where I can use the last ability on their back to return other Saga creatures.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Lightning, Army of OneLightning, Army of One

You will quickly make an enemy if you hit someone with this since it doubles all damage, not just from sources you control.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Zidane, Tantalus ThiefZidane, Tantalus Thief

Boros group hug that also ramps thanks to the Treasures. There's also the option of building an Act of TreasonAct of Treason deck that can scale with the power of the table.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Ignis ScientiaIgnis Scientia

Great in the 99 of a lands deck as a way to trigger landfall and as graveyard hate. It's expensive graveyard hate, but sometimes it’ll get the job done.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Omega, Heartless EvolutionOmega, Heartless Evolution

For seven mana, you get to tap three creatures and gain some life. The payoff is mediocre for the mana cost.

Fun Ranking: Fun in the 99

Noctis, Prince of LucisNoctis, Prince of Lucis

Esper has no shortage of ways to remove or prevent counters from being put on permanents. There's no limit to how many times you can do this aside from your life.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Kefka, Court MageKefka, Court Mage

Kefka can provide a ton of card advantage, and will be a removal target since players don’t like discarding. Flliping them is a huge investment, but Grixis does have access to interaction to blank any removal spells.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Choco, Seeker of ParadiseChoco, Seeker of Paradise

I love Birds and I love this commander. It feels like a fixed Nadu, Winged WisdomNadu, Winged Wisdom that I’m excited to build.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Sin, Spira's PunishmentSin, Spira's Punishment

If this effect weren’t random, it would be incredibly powerful. Instead it's just fun and powerful.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

Terra, Magical AdeptTerra, Magical Adept

A new five-color Saga that I like way more than Tom BombadilTom Bombadil. This also works as a five-color enchantment commander, but I want to take as much advantage of the first three chapters as possible. And I’m sure there's some infinite where you give this haste and flip it over and over.

Fun Ranking: Want to Build

The Wandering MinstrelThe Wandering Minstrel

There are enough Towns to make a functional deck with this. And that last ability can easily close out games.

Fun Ranking: Fun

Ultima, Origin of OblivionUltima, Origin of Oblivion

Ultima makes a solid Eldrazi commander. And it slots into any Legendary-Matters or God deck as a land hate piece.

Fun Ranking: Could be Fun

Conclusion

Overall, the Final Fantasy main set legends are solidly fun. I love that even if some of these legends are more fun in the 99, you can 100% run them as a commander if a character resonates with you. I'm excited to see what crazy builds people make, and I'd love to hear what commander you're looking forward to building.

Do you disagree with any of my takes? Let me know in the comments under the article. And make sure to come back every day for more Final Fantasy commander articles! There are a ton of deck techs, set reviews, and more in the works from amazing authors you won't want to miss.

Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!