How Fun Are The Final Fantasy Precon Commanders?

 <p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMark+Winters%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Winters</a></em></p> <p>Hello everyone, and welcome back to <em>Ten under Twenty,</em> the article series in which we look at all kinds of commanders and find those hidden gems that simply aren’t getting the play they deserve. In order to qualify as a gem, the card must be in less than 20% of eligible decks for EDHREC. This week, we're looking at an oldie but a goodie, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Naturally, this list is a buffet style, meaning you can simply take what you like and leave what you don’t. At the end of the day, it is your deck. Before we get into the cards, let’s first look at the commander.</p> <h2>Nekusar, the Mindrazer</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nekusar, the Mindrazer"></div></div> <p>Nekusar was originally printed in <em>Commander 2013</em>. This was a revolutionary commander, opening up the <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/wheels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wheels archetype</a> (named after <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Fortune" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Fortune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), providing a damage outlet in the command zone as a payoff by inflicting a point of damage off of every card an opponent draws.</p> <p>The deck is traditionally filled with as many Wheel effects as possible, causing players to constantly pitch their hand for a new one, often multiple times in the same turn. The cards we're looking at will want to support this strategy in one way or another.</p> <p>Let’s begin!</p> <h2>10) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenith Chronicler" href="#" target="_blank">Zenith Chronicler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11%)</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zenith Chronicler"></div></div> <p>Starting off our list, we have a card draw enabler, just not a wheel-related one. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenith Chronicler" href="#" target="_blank">Zenith Chronicler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> forces each other player to draw a card off of their first multicolored spell. Since this is not a “may” ability, this will generate a lot of additional card draws and Nekusar triggers over the course of the game, as it isn’t threatening enough to catch a spot removal spell. It can also serve as a three-power blocker in a pinch to dissuade chip damage from smaller creatures.</p> <p>It may not be the spiciest card on this list, but it definitely deserves more representation than the eleven percent it's currently in.</p> <h2>9) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9%)</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insatiable Avarice"></div></div> <p>This goes with flavoring your powerful cards to the deck when you can. Instead of running a <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changer</a> like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you can play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which can add the optional bonus of drawing cards. What is nice about the card draw effect is it can be assigned to a target player, so there are scenarios where you can tutor a card to the top of your deck, force another player to draw three cards and take three damage (plus any other Nekusar-like effects in play), and then wheel those cards away with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a similar card. Having a choice like that in your deck can lead to far more interesting games than a simple tutor would.</p> <p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is showing up in close to 29% of decks, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insatiable Avarice" href="#" target="_blank">Insatiable Avarice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is at only 9%? I feel as a community we can show some more love to this card.</p> <h2>8) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8%)</h2> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Ifnir"></div></div> <p>A big issue that Nekusar faces in games is in combat. Because Nekusar wants to dedicate so many card slots to wheeling cards and enablers, there isn’t a lot of room for profitable blockers if a deck like a mono-green stompy comes to avenge their discarded <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Craterhoof Behemoth" href="#" target="_blank">Craterhoof Behemoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is where the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes into play.</p> <p>When wheeling, players will constantly be discarding cards to draw their new hand. For each card Nekusar draws, the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be putting a -1/-1 counter on each creature opponents control. Let’s say in a Nekusar deck that focuses on Wheels that actually discard cards (a tall order, I know, but just stay with me here), they pitch an average of ten cards per turn through two Wheel spells. With 10 -1/-1 counters being placed, it would be hard to find even Eldrazi that would be able to stick around.</p> <p>Another nice part of this card is if that matchup doesn’t call for that level of creature control, or you simply don’t have the mana, it comes with its own cycling keyword, letting you pitch the card to your graveyard for a new card at a low price of two generic mana. This is great for Nekusar and only shows up in 8% of decks on EDHREC.</p> <h2>7) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigil of Sleep" href="#" target="_blank">Sigil of Sleep</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigil of Sleep"></div></div><br />Admittedly, this is a pet card of mine, so I will absolutely accept any comments of bias on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigil of Sleep" href="#" target="_blank">Sigil of Sleep</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> here at number seven. The main thing to remember about this card is it says “damage,” not “combat damage.” This creates a spectacularly annoying removal/tempo engine with Nekusar, where every time an opponent draws a card, Nekusar can bounce one of their creatures back to hand. In a token deck, it's even worse since you can elect to return the tokens back to hand, where they would cease to exist. All of this synergy for one blue mana.</p> <p>Is this the best thing that Nekusar can do? Absolutely not. But it's one of the more <em>fun</em> things you can do. This card shows up in only seven percent of Nekusar decks, only costs one blue mana to cast, and is under $2 to buy. Honestly, there isn’t much of a reason to not try Sigil of Sleep.</p> <h2>6) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anvil of Bogardan" href="#" target="_blank">Anvil of Bogardan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anvil of Bogardan"></div></div><br />Coming to us straight from the Reserved List, we have one of the more expensive cards on our list in Anvil of Bogardan. The Anvil is a great “group hug” effect in Nekusar since the deck is capable of punching opponents for both discarding and drawing cards. Getting an extra draw trigger and a discard trigger each turn can lead to a huge increase in damage output.</p> <p>Since Anvil is a bit more on the expensive side, I can understand it only showing up in seven percent of Nekusar decks on EDHREC, but if you do have a Nekusar deck that plays cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other draw enablers, this would be a slam dunk addition for you.</p> <h2>5) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch&#039;s Clinic" href="#" target="_blank">Witch&#039;s Clinic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witch&#039;s Clinic"></div></div><br />If there is one thing that I irrationally love in Commander, it's high-floor cards. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch’s Clinic" href="#" target="_blank">Witch’s Clinic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is exactly that. As an untapped nonbasic land, the only opportunity cost involved with this card is that it doesn’t produce any colors. When you use a Wheel spell in Nekusar and have every player draw seven cards, that's going to be 21 total damage. Witch’s Clinic can give Nekusar lifelink to gain that much life. There can be scenarios in which the Nekusar deck can gain life so fast that opponents can’t deal enough damage to knock Nekusar out before they're eliminated themselves. Not too shabby for a $2 card.</p> <h2>4) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saw It Coming" href="#" target="_blank">Saw It Coming</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (2.22%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saw It Coming"></div></div><br />At only 2.22%, we have a very interesting counterspell. One of the main pain points that Nekusar can run into in games is the hesitation to wheel if there's something really strong in hand that you don’t want to discard. Because of this, foretell is an incredible mechanic to utilize in a Wheel deck.</p> <p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saw It Coming" href="#" target="_blank">Saw It Coming</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a counterspell that you can exile from your hand face down to use later. As Nekusar continues to wheel and deal damage, that counterspell can still be used, giving you your “eighth” card in hand.</p> <h2>3) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siren Stormtamer" href="#" target="_blank">Siren Stormtamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.38%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siren Stormtamer"></div></div><br />In the same breath as Saw It Coming, it's really helpful to be able to place cards in positions where they're out of hand but still able to be used. Siren Stormtamer is our next example, only being played in 0.38% of Nekusar decks. It serves as a counterspell or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stifle" href="#" target="_blank">Stifle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a spell or ability that's targeting you or a creature you control, like Nekusar. Being that it's seen on the battlefield, it won’t catch a player by surprise, but it often discourages players from using their removal your way since they don’t want to waste it.</p> <h2>2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Will of the Jeskai" href="#" target="_blank">Will of the Jeskai</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.24%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Will of the Jeskai"></div></div><br />At our second deepest hidden gem, we have a new card from <em>Tarkir: Dragonstorm</em> with Way of the Jeskai. Since this is a new card, I don’t anticipate it staying as a hidden gem for very long. Another Wheel effect for five card draws after the fact, this also boasts the ability to give each instant or sorcery in your graveyard flashback for the turn. In a Nekusar game, it's not unreasonable to have multiple Wheel effects in your graveyard from previous turns that can be used on the turn to chain into more card draw effects and have everyone draw an extra 15 cards or so. In the endgame for Commander, this could be enough damage to eliminate players.</p> <p>Only 52 decks are currently using this card according at the time of writing, so this is definitely your opportunity to get ahead of the curve.</p> <h2>1) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer" href="#" target="_blank">Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (0.158%)</h2> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer"></div></div><br />Finally, at the top of our list, we have Chris Pine from the Dungeons and Dragons Movie Secret Lair. Bohn, Beguiling Balladeer allows Nekusar to take advantage of the foretell mechanic on any card in hand, creating a vault of cards to use later. Unlike the other foretell counterpart in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dream Devourer" href="#" target="_blank">Dream Devourer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Bohn can also help with Nekusar combat problems by goading creatures on the second spell cast in a turn, sending them in a different direction. For only three mana and showing up in only 0.158% of Nekusar decks, this legendary creature definitely deserves more love than it's getting.</p> <h2>Cards Seeing Too Much Play In Nekusar Decks</h2> <p>When I suggest ten new cards for a Nekusar deck, I understand that it can be intimidating to try to find cards to take out to make room. With that in mind, I have an additional section called “Cut Candidates” which are the cards that I believe might be getting a little too much play for what they do.</p> <h3>1) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of the Crescent Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of the Crescent Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (59%)</h3> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kami of the Crescent Moon"></div></div><br />This one is definitely going to have some controversy, but bear with me. Kami is a nice <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect, allowing an additional card to be drawn each turn for each player. It's nice to force other players to draw more cards, but I think it's more important to have these types of effects either attached to something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spiteful Visions" href="#" target="_blank">Spiteful Visions</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to add damage and draw the card, or provide more card draw like another Wheel might. I also prefer <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Howling Mine" href="#" target="_blank">Howling Mine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> over <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of the Crescent Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of the Crescent Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> since it's an artifact instead of a creature and won’t get caught up in creature-based board wipes.</p> <h3>2) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Greaves" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Greaves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>/ <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swiftfoot Boots" href="#" target="_blank">Swiftfoot Boots</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (42% and 35%, respectively)</h3> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swiftfoot Boots"></div></div><br />I understand the urge to keep Nekusar safe by granting shroud or hexproof. But with the amount of redundancy of damage outlets Nekusar has, keeping two slots dedicated to these Equipment spells could be used more efficiently since Nekusar isn’t really positioned as an attacker or containing a payoff to take advantage of haste. I suggest using one or the other if you're a fan of protection magic, but not both.</p> <h3>3) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megrim" href="#" target="_blank">Megrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (54%)</h3> <p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Megrim"></div></div><br />Using this card requires a bit more finesse in deck building to really take advantage of. You would have to use a lot more Wheel spells that force discarding effects and neglect the shuffle wheel effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Winds of Change" href="#" target="_blank">Winds of Change</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In place of this card, you could play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raiders&#039; Wake" href="#" target="_blank">Raiders&#039; Wake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which only costs one additional mana and can make players discard cards and self-enable instead. There are decks that are going to want <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megrim" href="#" target="_blank">Megrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I would rather focus on the card draw side of the ability and keep the deck on a singular focus.</p> <p>And there you have it, ten new cards to try out in Nekusar and three to take a look at cutting. I hope you found some hidden gems to try out! Of course, there are <em>way</em> more gems for Nekusar than ten, so let us know your favorite hidden gem in the comments that wasn’t on my list! If you have a commander you would like to see next, let us know in the comments or by sending an email to thoughtvesselshow@gmail.com.</p> <p>Until next time, happy brewing!</p> 

Ten Hidden Gems for Nekusar, the Mindrazer

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/lasahido" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lius Lasahido</a></em></p>
<p> As mentioned in my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-demon-typal-deck-with-ardyn-the-usurper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Demon Typal Deck Tech</a> last week, <em>Final Fantasy</em> is a cool IP that doesn’t speak to me. There are, however, tons of interesting designs, many of which are amazing as IP-agnostic game pieces. The one I’m focusing on today is a timewalking mechanist who reminds me of when I was just learning the game in high school. The school I went to has a mascot named Sidney Raider, after the Spanish hero El Cid. This timeless hero of gallantry, bravery, and sacrifice seems a fitting commander for a deck, so let’s learn how to build around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Interestingly enough, Cid reminds me of high school in more than just his name: he works with artifacts and cycling, which were themes of a couple of my early decks! I started playing with <em>Champions of Kamigawa</em>, right after <em>Mirrodin</em> block, which was a terrible time to learn. Damage went on the stack; mana burned if it wasn’t all spent; and broken-in-half artifacts enabled incredibly explosive starts. My first deck that could compete was a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grinding Station" href="#" target="_blank">Grinding Station</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Cheerios combo deck; my second was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astral Slide" href="#" target="_blank">Astral Slide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ETBs and Morphs. Somehow, someway, Cid manages to bridge my high school experience and my current deckbuilding kick: strange typal decks! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer"></div></div> </p>
<h2>What Does Cid, Timeless Artificer Do?</h2>
<p> Cid is an intriguing card in the 99, and can even take multiple slots, as a deck can have any number of cards named <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It also has cycling, which is another ability better served in the 99. So…why run Cid as a commander? Well, in addition to being an aggressively-costed four-drop, Cid gives artifact creatures and Heroes +1/+1 for each Artificer we control and each Artificer in our graveyard. This pump only happens if we have a copy out, so we can use our commander to take advantage of the waves and waves of Cid’s past lives we cycle away. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza, Lord Protector Urza, Prince of Kroog"></div></div> There are a number of legendary Artificers who could helm an Artificer-themed deck, most of whom involve adding or subtracting a color from our Azorius color identity. Ironically, the closest we can get to a predecessor to the kindly and paternal Cid is one of the incarnations of the curmudgeonly eugenicist, Urza. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Prince of Kroog" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Prince of Kroog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both in the deck, so we could tag them in as the commander if wanted. The Lord Protector reduces the cost of artifacts, instants, and sorceries we cast, although we already do have some cost reducers and we don’t run many instants or sorceries. The Prince of Kroog acts as a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tempered Steel" href="#" target="_blank">Tempered Steel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a means of copying artifacts, but Cid already pumps the artifact creatures and we don’t have a glut of mana to pour into the Prince’s ability, so he doesn’t really add anything. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hare Apparent Dragon&#039;s Approach Persistent Petitioners"></div></div> Trying to place this deck into known archetypes is a bit of a tough ask, as Cid has an ability that breaks a fundamental rule of singleton formats. The more successful cards that can have any number of copies tend to be focal points of their decks: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hare Apparent" href="#" target="_blank">Hare Apparent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Approach" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Approach</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Persistent Petitioners" href="#" target="_blank">Persistent Petitioners</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slime Against Humanity" href="#" target="_blank">Slime Against Humanity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Cid is a bit more of a role-player and is the first to be able to go into the command zone. While cycling may be a blank on a commander (without committing to the bit), Cids do work together by offering flexibility. They need artifact creatures and/or Heroes to pump, however, so we can’t just pack our deck with a bunch of Cids. While there is probably a more Cid-focused cycling deck or a cheap, evasive artifact-focused aggro deck, our list is a moderate tempo-based version. </p>
<h2>Key Cards for Cid, Timeless Artificer</h2>
<p> One of the most important cards in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck is…<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! Why is that? Well, it does the things we need, which is why we have it as a commander and why we’re playing a card where we can have any number of copies. But how many is enough? Is there such a thing as too many? Unlike other cards with similar effects, we don’t need more than 20, nor do we need a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrumming Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Thrumming Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as we’re cycling instead of casting. We also have a version in the command zone, so we’re likely casting it as the primary copy and the rest will be cycled away to dig for the “real” spells. As a result, 15 Cids seems like a fair amount - one for each variant! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|407 Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|409 Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|414"></div></div> The other Artificers need to either produce or interact with artifacts, as Cid pumps them and many effects care about them. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Padeem, Consul of Innovation" href="#" target="_blank">Padeem, Consul of Innovation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sai, Master Thopterist" href="#" target="_blank">Sai, Master Thopterist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can draw us cards with our artifacts. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam" href="#" target="_blank">Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hanna, Ship&#039;s Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Hanna, Ship&#039;s Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combine to give the deck a fairly strong engine: bouncing, re-casting, copying, and recurring artifacts to slowly develop a wide board through synergy. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirler Rogue" href="#" target="_blank">Whirler Rogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides evasive bodies that soak up the Cid boosts like a sponge and can also tap to punch through extra damage in a pinch. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Padeem, Consul of Innovation Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam Mishra&#039;s Bauble"></div></div> While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn’t usually an important card to go into detail about, the deck is mana-hungry and there are interesting combos and synergies with it. It both provides mana to fuel Drafna’s abilities and is an incredible outlet for them, as making extra Sol Rings is one of the more powerful things one can do. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mishra&#039;s Bauble" href="#" target="_blank">Mishra&#039;s Bauble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are similarly powerful artifacts to juggle around, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ornithopter of Paradise" href="#" target="_blank">Ornithopter of Paradise</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can quickly go from a setup mana creature to a game-ending threat! </p>
<h2>How Does This Cid, Timeless Artificer Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p> Ideally speaking, our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck wins by powering up incidental bodies using copies of our namesake card. It’s worth noting that Cid cares about all Artificers, not just copies of himself, so we wind up with ways to add almost 40 power and toughness if we can flip our whole deck into play. While that's unlikely, it shows how many Artificers we're running, many of whom make bodies for us to pump. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|419 Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|418 Cid, Timeless Artificer|fin|417"></div></div> When a single Thopter can slice off half of your life? Yeah, that’s a powerful aggressive line. When you factor in that that’s not even using our better cards? You better believe this deck has potential. While we’d prefer to win through cycling Cids to stack up boosts on evasive creatures, sometimes we need to rely on the synergies shared between members of the Artificer creature type, using spare copies of Cid to dig to our more powerful cards and to piece together the synergies needed to build inevitability. </p>
<h2>Cid, Timeless Artificer Commander Deck List</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *1 Cid, Timeless Artificer [/Commander] [Creatures] *1 Artificer&#039;s Assistant *1 Aspiring Aeronaut *1 Aviation Pioneer *14 Cid, Timeless Artificer *1 Digsite Engineer *1 Drafna, Founder of Lat-Nam *1 Esper Sentinel *1 Etherium Sculptor *1 Etherium Spinner *1 Experimental Aviator *1 Grand Architect *1 Hangarback Walker *1 Hanna, Ship&#039;s Navigator *1 Inspired Sphinx *1 Jhoira&#039;s Familiar *1 Leonardo da Vinci *1 Lita, Mechanical Engineer *1 Losheel, Clockwork Scholar *1 Master Transmuter *1 Master Trinketeer *1 Myr Retriever *1 Oltec Matterweaver *1 Ornithopter of Paradise *1 Padeem, Consul of Innovation *1 Renowned Weaponsmith *1 Riddlesmith *1 Sai, Master Thopterist *1 Scrap Trawler *1 Sharding Sphinx *1 Thopter Mechanic *1 Thought Monitor *1 Urza, Lord Protector *1 Urza, Powerstone Prodigy *1 Urza, Prince of Kroog *1 Whirler Rogue [/Creatures] [Artifacts] *1 Cloud Key *1 Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass *1 Mind Stone *1 Mishra&#039;s Bauble *1 Retrofitter Foundry *1 Shorikai, Genesis Engine *1 Sol Ring *1 The Mightstone and Weakstone *1 Thopter Fabricator *1 Whirlermaker [/Artifacts] [Enchantments] *1 Thopter Spy Network [/Enchantments] [Lands] *20 Island *20 Plains [/Lands]"></span></div> </p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p> There are some powerful cards in our deck, which enable fast starts. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are the more egregious offenders, especially since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be annoying to track. At least, with its synergy with Cids, the Sentinel can get strong enough that most players will just not be able to pay its cost. While we do play some staples, we have ways to make those staples more interesting. And while we do play 15 of the same card, that card has a lot of “play” to it. When do you cast it? When do you cycle it? Do you cast a spare copy or the commander itself? We can even use the spare copies to have access to our commander without paying for tax! This deck is one for those who enjoy tempo decks with a solid amount of flexibility and problem solving. It’s easy to play but tough to master, as every card has decision-making trees. If you enjoy Kaijudo/Duel Masters, you’ll love the decision trees that come with each copy of Cid, as those games are largely defined by the choices of how you want to play each individual card. How would you build a Cid deck? And how many Cids is too many? Let us know in the comments.</p>


Building an Artificer Typal Deck with Cid, Timeless Artificer

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</h6>
<p> Ahh, Friday. The day when many people get the opportunity to begin winding down from the busy workweek. Well, our due diligence slows that downtime for us a little, because now it's time to showcase some <em>Final Fantasy</em> spoilers! These previews are from across the content dated Friday, May 23rd. In it, you'll see cards from <em>Through the Ages</em>, some fresh faces, and even some cards that are downright overkill. We aim to get these out to you ahead of their inclusion in the <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/final-fantasy/card-image-gallery">official Card Image Gallery</a> for the set, because we're cool like that. Are you ready? Let's venture forth! </p>
<h2>A Single Reveal From Thursday, May 22nd</h2>
<p> In our need to cover as many <em>Final Fantasy </em>spoilers from May 22nd as we could, we nevertheless saw that one made it out <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/best-final-fantasy-spoilers-from-thursday-may-22nd">post-publication</a>. This card, in particular: <div id="attachment_153918" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gogo-Master-of-Mimicry.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153918" class="wp-image-153918" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gogo-Master-of-Mimicry.jpg" alt="Gogo, Master of Mimicry, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed late in the day on Thursday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gogo-Master-of-Mimicry.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gogo-Master-of-Mimicry-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153918" class="wp-caption-text">Gogo, Master of Mimicry, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed late in the day on Thursday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> Gogo, Master of Mimicry is a very strong take on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strionic Resonator" href="#" target="_blank">Strionic Resonator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The main reason we didn't cover Gogo as an addendum is that we only had the Japanese render post-publication. But my oh my, this card is glorious for players who like doubling up on their abilities... Or tripling up. Or quadrupling. You get the idea. </p>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy Previews For Friday, May 23rd</em></h2>
<p> With Gogo out of the way, let's jump right in to cover today's spoilers! There are approximately twelve previews from the set proper, as well as one new reveal from the <em>Through the Ages</em> bonus sheet. Let's look at the <em>Final Fantasy</em> main set first: </p>
<h3>Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhiga</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153919" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Raubahn-Bull-of-Ala-Mhigo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153919" class="wp-image-153919" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Raubahn-Bull-of-Ala-Mhigo.jpg" alt="Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhiga, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Raubahn-Bull-of-Ala-Mhigo.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Raubahn-Bull-of-Ala-Mhigo-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153919" class="wp-caption-text">Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhiga, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Vaan, Street Thief</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153920" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Vaan-Street-Thief.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153920" class="wp-image-153920" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Vaan-Street-Thief.jpg" alt="Vaan, Street Thief, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Vaan-Street-Thief.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Vaan-Street-Thief-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153920" class="wp-caption-text">Vaan, Street Thief, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Tellah, Great Sage</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153921" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Tellah-Great-Sage.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153921" class="wp-image-153921" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Tellah-Great-Sage.jpg" alt="Tellah, Great Sage, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Tellah-Great-Sage.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Tellah-Great-Sage-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153921" class="wp-caption-text">Tellah, Great Sage, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Hope Estheim</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153922" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Hope-Estheim.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153922" class="wp-image-153922" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Hope-Estheim.jpg" alt="Hope Estheim, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Hope-Estheim.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Hope-Estheim-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153922" class="wp-caption-text">Hope Estheim, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Overkill</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153923" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Overkill.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153923" class="wp-image-153923" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Overkill.jpg" alt="Overkill, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Overkill.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Overkill-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153923" class="wp-caption-text">Overkill, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Ultros, Obnoxious Octopus</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153924" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ultros-Obnoxious-Octopus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153924" class="wp-image-153924" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ultros-Obnoxious-Octopus.jpg" alt="Ultros, Obnoxious Octopus, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ultros-Obnoxious-Octopus.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ultros-Obnoxious-Octopus-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153924" class="wp-caption-text">Ultros, Obnoxious Octopus, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Ride the Shoopuf</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153925" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Ride-the-Shoopuf.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153925" class="wp-image-153925" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Ride-the-Shoopuf.jpg" alt="Ride the Shoopuf, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Ride-the-Shoopuf.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Ride-the-Shoopuf-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153925" class="wp-caption-text">Ride the Shoopuf, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Sleep Magic</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153926" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Sleep-Magic.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153926" class="wp-image-153926" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Sleep-Magic.jpg" alt="Sleep Magic, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Sleep-Magic.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Sleep-Magic-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153926" class="wp-caption-text">Sleep Magic, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Cargo Ship</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153927" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Cargo-Ship.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153927" class="wp-image-153927" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Cargo-Ship.jpg" alt="Cargo Ship, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Cargo-Ship.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Cargo-Ship-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153927" class="wp-caption-text">Cargo Ship, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Ninja's Blades</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153928" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Ninjas-Blades.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153928" class="wp-image-153928" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Ninjas-Blades.jpg" alt="Ninja's Blades, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Ninjas-Blades.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Ninjas-Blades-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153928" class="wp-caption-text">Ninja's Blades, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Clive's Hideaway</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153929" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-Clives-Hideaway.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153929" class="wp-image-153929" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-Clives-Hideaway.jpg" alt="Clive's Hideaway, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-Clives-Hideaway.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-Clives-Hideaway-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153929" class="wp-caption-text">Clive's Hideaway, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> </p>
<h3>Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153930" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12a-Balamb-Garden-SeeD-Academy.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153930" class="wp-image-153930" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12a-Balamb-Garden-SeeD-Academy.jpg" alt="Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12a-Balamb-Garden-SeeD-Academy.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12a-Balamb-Garden-SeeD-Academy-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153930" class="wp-caption-text">Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Friday, May 23rd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> <div id="attachment_153931" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12b-Balamb-Garden-Airborne.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153931" class="wp-image-153931" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12b-Balamb-Garden-Airborne.jpg" alt="Balamb Garden, Airborne, the rear face of Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix." width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12b-Balamb-Garden-Airborne.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12b-Balamb-Garden-Airborne-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153931" class="wp-caption-text">Balamb Garden, Airborne, the rear face of Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix.</p></div> The addition of a rare dual land may imply the existence of other rare dual lands in the set. Will this come to pass? This remains to be seen, but it seems plausible that it will. </p>
<h3><em>Through the Ages</em> Bonus Sheet Reveal</h3>
<p> Finally, there was one card from the <em>Through the Ages</em> sheet revealed today: <div id="attachment_153932" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gilgamesh-Weapon-Collector-Godo-Bandit-Warlord.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153932" class="wp-image-153932" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gilgamesh-Weapon-Collector-Godo-Bandit-Warlord.jpg" alt="Gilgamesh, Weapon Collector, a reskin of Godo, Bandit Warlord. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gilgamesh-Weapon-Collector-Godo-Bandit-Warlord.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Gilgamesh-Weapon-Collector-Godo-Bandit-Warlord-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153932" class="wp-caption-text">Gilgamesh, Weapon Collector, a reskin of Godo, Bandit Warlord. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> This leaves us with the following <em>Final Fantasy</em> games needing this many cards worth of representation from <em>Through the Ages</em>: </p>
<ul>
<li><em>FFIV</em>: 1</li>
<li><em>FFVII</em>: 1</li>
<li><em>FFVIII</em>: 1</li>
<li><em>FFIX</em>: 2</li>
<li><em>FFX</em>: 1</li>
<li><em>FFXI</em>: 1</li>
</ul>
<p> With only seven cards remaining in the game crunch, things are getting pretty down to the wire! And now, let's ask you, dear readers: Have you played many of the sixteen main <em>Final Fantasy</em> games? Are you feeling good about the games you like most in the series, and namely, how well they're represented in this <em>Magic</em> set? And, if you haven't played a lot of the video games, has this set inspired you to do so? Sound off below!</p>


Best Final Fantasy Spoilers For Friday, May 23rd

Best Free Blue Spells for Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fallen Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CIttoku%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ittoku</a></em></p>
<p> Hello! Welcome back to <em>Archetypes of Imagination</em>, the series where we build decks based on popular Commander archetypes. I'll be using Scryfall's tagging system and EDHREC's Tag pages to build around a new theme each week. Scryfall has a really cool way of categorizing cards, where each card has specific labels attached to it for later reference. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drakuseth, Maw of Flames" href="#" target="_blank">Drakuseth, Maw of Flames</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has the burn tag and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scavenger Grounds" href="#" target="_blank">Scavenger Grounds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has the graveyard hate tag. EDHREC's tag system is really cool too, letting users see popular cards associated with a given strategy. This week we'll be building a deck focused on “flinging” creatures: sacrificing them to deal damage equal to their power to any target. To maximize the value of these <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, we're going to need some pretty big creatures to throw around. There's lots of ways to make big creatures in <em>Magic</em>, but I'd like to focus on a card from the most exciting upcoming set: <em>Final Fantasy</em>! This set has some super powerful cards, but one of them caught my eye for this week's article. So, this deck will be helmed by… <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fallen Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>! <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero Fling"></div></div> </p>
<h2>What Does Sephiroth, Fallen Hero Do?</h2>
<p> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fallen Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is super strong, turning each of our modified creatures (creatures that are equipped, enchanted, or have counters on them) into big, bulky 7/5s every time he attacks. And, on top of that, it's easy to avoid paying extra to recast Sephiroth because he can return himself to the battlefield if we sacrifice a modified creature. But we need a little more direction than just modified creatures. We'll be focusing on pumping up our creatures with +1/+1 counters, and then taking advantage of their Sephiroth-boosted power to quickly reduce our opponents' life totals to 0. Let's get brewing! </p>
<h2>Key Fling Strategy Cards For Sephiroth, Fallen Hero</h2>
<p> This deck is focused on dealing direct damage to our opponents based on our creatures' power. Let's talk about the best ones. One of my personal favorites is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brion Stoutarm" href="#" target="_blank">Brion Stoutarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This big guy can take our 7/5s and sacrifice them for both direct damage and life gain. Plus, this is a repeatable effect, meaning we can cause a 14 point life swing on each table rotation. Similarly, I'm a big fan of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Burning Anger" href="#" target="_blank">Burning Anger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Although this isn't a traditional fling effect, it lets our biggest creatures hit our opponents over and over again. Plus, the classics like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fling" href="#" target="_blank">Fling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kazuul&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Kazuul&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thud" href="#" target="_blank">Thud</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are all here. Although they're not necessarily as flashy as some of the other cards I've talked about, they're important role players in this deck's 99. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brion Stoutarm Burning Anger Kazuul&#039;s Fury"></div></div> We want to get extra value when we fling a creature. There are a few creatures, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cacophony Scamp" href="#" target="_blank">Cacophony Scamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireblade Charger" href="#" target="_blank">Fireblade Charger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heartfire Hero" href="#" target="_blank">Heartfire Hero</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that can deal additional damage to our opponents when they die, making them ideal targets for our effects that require a creature sacrifice. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda&#039;s Hierophant" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda&#039;s Hierophant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be a big, evasive attacker once we modify it, and will explode into a bunch of valuable tokens when it dies. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gleeful Arsonist" href="#" target="_blank">Gleeful Arsonist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has the ability to come back to life with a counter on it and start dealing extra damage to our opponents. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heartfire Hero Elenda&#039;s Hierophant Gleeful Arsonist"></div></div> But we won't be sacrificing <em>all</em> of our creatures; we'd like to attack with our 7/5s too. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paladin Elizabeth Taggerdy" href="#" target="_blank">Paladin Elizabeth Taggerdy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ryan Sinclair" href="#" target="_blank">Ryan Sinclair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can both let us cheat the mana cost of our spells once their powers are big enough, and our commander makes that a trivial requirement. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can flood the board with Goblins quite quickly and has the ability to grow larger as the game goes on. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Paladin Elizabeth Taggerdy Ryan Sinclair Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin"></div></div> </p>
<h2>Ways to Modify Our Creatures</h2>
<p> In order to make a Sephiroth deck work, we'll need some extra ways to modify our creatures. One of my favorites is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mikaeus, the Lunarch" href="#" target="_blank">Mikaeus, the Lunarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This Cleric enters the battlefield as a modified creature, and can tap to let us add +1/+1 counters to every creature we control. This is not only a super powerful buff, but synergizes perfectly with our commander's base power/toughness buff. I've also included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathars&#039; Crusade" href="#" target="_blank">Cathars&#039; Crusade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for team-wide +1/+1 counter distribution. These cards are super strong in <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>-based creature decks, and they're a perfect fit here. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Uncivil Unrest" href="#" target="_blank">Uncivil Unrest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic way to close out games. Because we've got so many ways to distribute +1/+1 counters among our creatures, this is essentially a damage doubler that can give our creatures haste if needed. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mikaeus, the Lunarch Cathars&#039; Crusade Uncivil Unrest"></div></div> We'll also need a few ways to protect our board state, given how heavy we're leaning into having big creatures on hand at all times. One of my favorite new cards fits perfectly here: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duty Beyond Death" href="#" target="_blank">Duty Beyond Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We'll usually have at least one creature on board that we don't mind sacrificing, and this protection spell will also add some bonus +1/+1 counters to our creatures. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Duty Beyond Death Bulwark Ox Zack Fair"></div></div> Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bulwark Ox" href="#" target="_blank">Bulwark Ox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zack Fair" href="#" target="_blank">Zack Fair</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can add some counters to our creatures and protect them from our opponents' pesky removal spells. There's been a lot of cool board state protection tools printed recently, and I'd rather run these than the obviously-powerful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Protection" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Protection</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in a lower-bracket deck like this. </p>
<h2>Sephiroth, Fallen Hero Fling Commander Deck List</h2>
<p> Here's the full decklist: <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Archetypes of Imagination - Building a Fling Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *1 Sephiroth, Fallen Hero [/Commander] [Instants] *1 Boros Charm *1 Duty Beyond Death *1 Fling *1 Get Lost *1 Kazuul&#039;s Fury // Kazuul&#039;s Cliffs *1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold *1 Path to Exile *1 Soul&#039;s Fire *1 Swords to Plowshares *1 Take Up the Shield *1 Untimely Malfunction [/Instants] [Sorceries] *1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition *1 Damning Verdict *1 Requisition Raid *1 Thud *1 Zenith Festival [/Sorceries] [Creatures] *1 Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon *1 Auron, Venerated Guardian *1 Balduvian Berserker *1 Blade Historian *1 Bloodshot Cyclops *1 Brion Stoutarm *1 Bulwark Ox *1 Cacophony Scamp *1 Captain Ripley Vance *1 Chocobo Knights *1 Dragonhawk, Fate&#039;s Tempest *1 Elenda&#039;s Hierophant *1 Esper Sentinel *1 Fireblade Charger *1 Flaming Tyrannosaurus *1 Gleeful Arsonist *1 Guardian Scalelord *1 Heart-Piercer Manticore *1 Heartfire Hero *1 Inti, Seneschal of the Sun *1 Jacked Rabbit *1 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin *1 Loran of the Third Path *1 Loyal Warhound *1 Mikaeus, the Lunarch *1 Ornithopter of Paradise *1 Paladin Elizabeth Taggerdy *1 Ryan Sinclair *1 Spikeshot Goblin *1 Stalking Vengeance *1 Surtland Flinger *1 Urdnan, Dromoka Warrior *1 Voldaren Thrillseeker *1 Winota, Joiner of Forces *1 Zack Fair [/Creatures] [Enchantments] *1 Burning Anger *1 Cathars&#039; Crusade *1 Felidar Retreat *1 Spiteful Banditry *1 Uncivil Unrest [/Enchantments] [Planeswalkers] *1 Archangel Elspeth *1 Elspeth Resplendent [/Planeswalkers] [Artifacts] *1 Arcane Signet *1 Bitterthorn, Nissa&#039;s Animus *1 Boros Signet *1 Infantry Shield *1 Lightning Greaves *1 Sol Ring *1 Talisman of Conviction *1 Worn Powerstone [/Artifacts] [Lands] *1 Battlefield Forge *1 Clifftop Retreat *1 Diamond City *10 Mountain *1 Nesting Grounds *11 Plains *1 Restless Bivouac *1 Rugged Prairie *1 Slayers&#039; Stronghold *1 Spectator Seating *1 Sunbaked Canyon *1 Sunbillow Verge *1 Sundown Pass *1 Sunscorched Divide [/Lands]"></span></div> </p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The End" href="#" target="_blank">The End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p> I hope you enjoyed this <em>Final Fantasy-</em>themed edition of <em>Archetypes of Imagination</em>. Before you go, I wanted to talk about this deck's board wipe package. I intentionally picked three wipes that work very well with the board states we plan to construct. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Damning Verdict" href="#" target="_blank">Damning Verdict</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is pretty close to being a one-sided wipe for just <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and that's hard to pass up. Similarly, if we cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spiteful Banditry" href="#" target="_blank">Spiteful Banditry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for X=4 after combat, we've got a good chance of hitting all of our opponents' creatures while sparing ours. And, finally, as one final fling effect, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can both wipe the board and hit our opponents for some big damage. <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Damning Verdict Spiteful Banditry Chandra&#039;s Ignition"></div></div> Thanks once again for reading. I'll see you all next week, for another edition of <em>Archetypes of Imagination</em>: a group slug deck!</p>


How to Make a Fling Deck, With Sephiroth, Fallen Hero

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine, Best There Is" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine, Best There Is</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artofmtg.com/artist/victor-adame-minguez/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victor Adame Minguez</a></em></p>
<p> Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. This week we're back in the <em>Marvel</em> universe. But don't worry about <em>Marvel </em>fatigue; this might be the last time until the <em>Spider-Man</em> set drops, as we're currently getting daily doses of <em>Final Fantasy</em> previews (I can barely contain my hype for the set at this point). In the meantime, let's see what <em>Marvel</em> deck I should tackle next... <em>Snikt!</em> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wolverine, Best There Is"></div></div> Oh, right. Without further ado, let's look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine, Best There Is" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine, Best There Is</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </p>
<h2>The Wolverine of Canada</h2>
<p> Wolverine is an alias of James Howlett (aka Logan) who was born in Alberta, Canada. He was most prominent as a member of the X-Men, and has been one of the Avengers in some continuities. He's portrayed as a gruff loner with a rebellious attitude against authority figures. A deeper look reveals a heavily traumatized life, a struggle to balance between his human and "wild" self (including his "berserker rages"), and a code of honor and morality. He has been known to leave the team(s) for a time to deal with his issues (something we see in the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild|sld|1740" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> card depicting him. His card does exactly what it says on the tin: build him up and <em>*snikt* </em>your opponents' life totals. All he wants to do is attack, and attack he will, because we're going to give our opponents a serious case of overkill. Fortunately, the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool helps with this, since we have a nice blend of old and new cards that can make Wolverine deadly. </p>
<h2>Going Berserk With Wolverine</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bone Sabres Rancor|pip|205 Gimli&#039;s Fury"></div></div> We'll need ways to power Wolverine up. He starts with a small statline, so we'll need to make him bigger. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bone Sabres" href="#" target="_blank">Bone Sabres</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (22,152 decks) will give him four +1/+1 counters on attack, making him a lethal threat. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Power Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Power Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (44,023 decks) gives him trample, and also gives him a lot of counters whenever he connects to a player (a lovely synergy with his first ability, which I'll get to momentarily). Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm|fic|337" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (68,400 decks) serves two purposes: it gives Wolverine a smaller buff, and it also shields him from targeted removal. However, improving Wolverine's statline isn't the only way we can make him into a deadly force. Before I go over that, I need to mention that first ability, <em>Unrivaled Lethality</em>, which doubles the damage that he deals. With this, we can make him deal even more havoc. Crucially, double strike is a major player, allowing Wolverine to devastate your opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chaos Terminator Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Chaos Terminator Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,928 decks) gives it to him each combat. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireshrieker|pip|232" href="#" target="_blank">Fireshrieker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (96,257 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Spear of Leonidas" href="#" target="_blank">The Spear of Leonidas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21,477 decks) provide double strike, and the Spear comes with additional utility as well, if needed. In addition, trample is another keyword that works with Wolverine. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (128,140 decks) gives his power a small buff, but also gives him the trample ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadowspear|sld|1505" href="#" target="_blank">Shadowspear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Totec's Spear; 199,617 decks) bestows the trample, lifelink, and tears down indestructible and hexproof creatures as well. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer|sld|1034" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Ghal Maraz, the Great Shatterer; 106,676 decks) does this with an even bigger boost to his power. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodcrusher of Khorne" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodcrusher of Khorne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,807 decks) gives trample to all of our creatures. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,330 decks) is a one shot that can potentially eliminate opponents with a jump-scare. </p>
<h2>Of Immortality and Regeneration</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bombadil&#039;s Song Rhythm of the Wild|sld|1740"></div></div> Wolverine has the ability to regenerate himself, but we can't always rely on that because it requires two mana open. Worse, you may have to protect him multiple times, as he is a removal magnet. Fortunately we have other ways to protect him. I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and that helps. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (257,689 decks) grants him indestructibility, especially at instant speed, and can auto-equip onto Wolverine. Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention|sld|1750" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (821,880 decks) protects our board while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bombadil&#039;s Song" href="#" target="_blank">Bombadil&#039;s Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,261 decks) protects just our commander. Finally, since Wolverine will be subject to counterspells when casting him, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (302,108 decks) ensures that he gets to land while rudely telling those pesky blue players to bother someone else. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Passage|sld|1739" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (15,550 decks) can grow Wolverine with each time he's dealt damage, but be sure to keep him from dying when doing so. Lastly, if Wolverine gets too expensive to cast, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Beacon|sld|1533" href="#" target="_blank">Command Beacon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (269,829 decks) can be sacrificed to get him out of the command zone, so you can cast him again. </p>
<h2>Wolverine, Best There Is Commander Deck List</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-SNIKT!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander] *1 Wolverine, Best There Is [/Commander] [Artifacts] *1 Arcane Signet *1 Bone Sabres *1 Champion&#039;s Helm *1 Endless Atlas *1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden *1 Fireshrieker *1 Gimli&#039;s Axe *1 Hunter&#039;s Bow *1 Loxodon Warhammer *1 Mithril Coat *1 Power Fist *1 Shadowspear *1 Sol Ring *1 Swiftfoot Boots *1 The Great Henge *1 The Ozolith *1 The Spear of Leonidas *1 Unlicensed Hearse [/Artifacts] [Instants] *1 Beast Within *1 Berserk *1 Bombadil&#039;s Song *1 Chaos Warp *1 Entish Restoration *1 Gimli&#039;s Fury *1 Harrow *1 Heroic Intervention *1 Inscription of Abundance *1 Krosan Grip *1 Unexpected Windfall [/Instants] [Creatures] *1 Atalan Jackal *1 Birds of Paradise *1 Bloodcrusher of Khorne *1 Bloodthirster *1 Cavern-Hoard Dragon *1 Chaos Terminator Lord *1 Crimson Caravaneer *1 Delighted Halfling *1 Scourge of the Throne [/Creatures] [Sorceries] *1 Blasphemous Act *1 Cathartic Reunion *1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition *1 Cultivate *1 Faithless Looting *1 Farseek *1 Harmonize *1 Hull Breach *1 Overpowering Attack *1 Rampant Growth *1 Seize the Day *1 Three Visits *1 Wreck and Rebuild [/Sorceries] [Enchantments] *1 Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might *1 Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint *1 Hardened Scales *1 Rancor *1 Rhythm of the Wild *1 Rising of the Day *1 Rite of Passage *1 Shiny Impetus *1 Stolen Strategy *1 Unnatural Growth *1 Wild Wasteland [/Enchantments] [Lands] *1 Ash Barrens *1 Cinder Glade *1 Command Beacon *1 Command Tower *1 Dining Room *1 Evolving Wilds *1 Exotic Orchard *1 Fabled Passage *9 Forest *1 Game Trail *9 Mountain *1 Myriad Landscape *1 Opal Palace *1 Path of Ancestry *1 Rockfall Vale *1 Rootbound Crag *1 Sheltered Thicket *1 Temple of Abandon *1 Terramorphic Expanse *1 Thriving Bluff *1 Thriving Grove [/Lands]"></span></div> </p>
<h2>Using Deadly Force</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Berserk|sld|1738 Scourge of the Throne|ltc|225 Overpowering Attack"></div></div> If I was using in-universe cards with this list, we'd get a lot more power-doubling cards in here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Berserk" href="#" target="_blank">Berserk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (24,694 decks) is like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in that it can kill someone out of nowhere. In addition, we can regenerate Wolverine and nullify Berserk's end step trigger, ensuring his survival. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (162,583 decks) makes Wolverine's stats double. A high enough statline will make this lethal. That said, what we also really need are extra combat steps. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seize the Day|sld|480" href="#" target="_blank">Seize the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Round Two; 63,495 decks) only targets Wolverine, but it can be cast again from your graveyard for, befitting its <em>Universes Beyond </em>name, a second round of combat. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthirster" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthirster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (which is also really good with double strike, by the way) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scourge of the Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Scourge of the Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (44,711 decks and 70,116 decks, respectively) are two creatures that achieve this, with the former netting us multiple combat steps if the stars align. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,267 decks) gives a small buff to Wolverine as well as the above, but a creature will need to die to cast it cheaply. While it's not in the list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Last Night Together" href="#" target="_blank">Last Night Together</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,188 decks) has two creatures attack on the next combat. That said, it provides counters and some useful keywords. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overpowering Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Overpowering Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s (40,140 decks) cost can be reduced if Wolverine was able to connect the first time around. </p>
<h2>Other Cards For Wolverine</h2>
<p> <div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chandra&#039;s Ignition|sld|1594 The Ozolith|sld|1741 Rising of the Day"></div></div> There's a few other noteworthy cards I wanted to mention. First of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Miku's Ignition; 141,494 decks). Wolverine's first ability gives it more reach, letting you remove more creatures than you typically would. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ozolith" href="#" target="_blank">The Ozolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Admantium Bonding Tank; 203,856 decks) will store any +1/+1 counters that Wolverine had, should he be removed. Then, you recast him and move the counters back on him. Next, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,820 decks) not only gives our commander a big power boost, but the Equipment grants him evasion as well. Next, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,306 and 20,745 decks, respectively) allow Wolverine to pick off opposing creatures (and the latter gives him haste). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inscription of Abundance|ltc|251" href="#" target="_blank">Inscription of Abundance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (51,870 decks) packs a lot of utility: it buoys our life total, buffs Wolverine, and allows him to pick off a pesky creature. Speaking of haste, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rising of the Day" href="#" target="_blank">Rising of the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (138,156 decks) gives our commander a tiny buff, but it more importantly gives him haste. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (61,469 decks) is among the most terrifying cards in the deck. Equipping it to our commander means he's automatically in lethal range, whether it'd be commander damage, or ordinary damage. We also have a couple of creatures that could use a boost to achieve their effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atalan Jackal" href="#" target="_blank">Atalan Jackal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (26,236 decks) ramps us on connecting, and it already has trample and taste. Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crimson Caravaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Crimson Caravaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,082 decks) comes with double strike and trample, plus nets us some treasure tokens when it connects. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cavern-Hoard Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Cavern-Hoard Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (70,080 decks) gives us a ton of Treasures when they hit someone relying too much on their precious trinkets. Unlike the other two, the Dragon doesn't need much support, since it's got a decent statline. </p>
<h2>We're Done Here, Bub</h2>
<p> In conclusion, the stars mostly aligned with this build. Using the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool, most of the key pieces found their way into the deck, and I'm sure there will be more support for Wolverine in the future (a reskinned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenagos, God of Revels" href="#" target="_blank">Xenagos, God of Revels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be nice). This deck is one of those where you don't want to do any thinking and help wind down for the night. Simple decks like that are good to have on hand. Half of the <em>Marvel</em> legends are now covered, and at this point I'm using multiple legends from certain sets. I imagine we could do with a break from the likes of <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, and find something fresh. Maybe something from the <em>Secret Lair Drops</em>, perhaps (provided, of course, I can assemble the deck with the card pool)? On a different note, I did receive an idea for an article a little bit ago, and I'll soon get to it. Feel free to let me know in the comments which <em>Universes Beyond </em>commander you'd like me to cover next, especially those from franchises I haven't covered yet. Join me next time when we venture off the beaten path for a change of scenery.</p>


Going Berserk In Commander, With Wolverine, Best There Is

Top 10 Stax Effects for a G'raha Tia cEDH Deck

<p>Dark Horse Comics is collaborating with Wizards of the Coast to bring a <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> comic series to the masses. Starting with <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em>, the comic series will launch on September 10th, 2025. We have the details for you, so let's take a look at what we know so far! </p>
<h2>Details On <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em></h2>
<p> <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em> kicks off the comic giant's licensed collaboration with <em>Magic</em>. According to <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/magic-the-gathering-untold-stories-elspeth-brings-the-iconic-franchise-to-dark-horse-comics">IGN</a>, It is a four-part miniseries focusing on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth Tirel" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth Tirel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s descent into the Theroan underworld and her search for a means to escape its clutches. <div id="attachment_153844" style="width: 374px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153844" class="wp-image-153844" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer.jpg" alt="One of three covers from Dark Horse Comics' Magic: The Gathering comic series, Untold Stories: Elspeth. Cover illustration by Anna Steinbauer. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse" width="364" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer.jpg 1600w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer-195x300.jpg 195w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer-666x1024.jpg 666w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer-768x1181.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer-999x1536.jpg 999w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Anna-Steinbauer-1332x2048.jpg 1332w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153844" class="wp-caption-text">One of three covers from Dark Horse Comics' <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> comic series, <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em>. Cover illustration by <strong>Anna Steinbauer</strong>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse</p></div> The writer for <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em> is <strong>Dan Watters</strong>, who recently wrote <em>TMNT: Shredder</em>. According to Dark Horse Comics, here is the summary for the miniseries: </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="paragraph jsx-2269604527" data-cy="paragraph">Elspeth is dead. But her story is not yet over.</p>
<p class="paragraph jsx-2269604527" data-cy="paragraph">The sun god Heliod, having grown envious of his champion, struck her down to the underworld. There, she is forced to relive the worst moments of her life for all eternity. But Elspeth does not submit to despair—she emerges from each conflict a greater hero than before. And for a great hero like Elspeth, what is death but another challenge to overcome?</p>
</blockquote>
<p> <div id="attachment_153845" style="width: 374px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153845" class="wp-image-153845" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni.jpg" alt="Another of three covers from Untold Stories: Elspeth. Cover illustration by Owen Gieni. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse" width="364" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni.jpg 1600w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni-195x300.jpg 195w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni-666x1024.jpg 666w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni-768x1181.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni-999x1536.jpg 999w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Owen-Gieni-1332x2048.jpg 1332w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153845" class="wp-caption-text">Another of three covers from <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em>. Cover illustration by <strong>Owen Gieni</strong>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse</p></div> Says <strong>Jackie Jones</strong>, <em>Magic</em>'s Vice President for Creative, on this collaboration and specifically about Elspeth's part in it: </p>
<blockquote><p>"Elspeth’s journey has always resonated deeply with our fans and bringing her untold story to life in this exciting new format has been a real creative highlight for us. [...]Working with Dark Horse and this phenomenal team of artists and writers, we’re thrilled to give players and readers a deeper look into one of <em>Magic</em>’s most iconic heroes.”</p></blockquote>
<p> Another quote from <strong>Roy Graham</strong>, Senior Story Lead for <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> with Wizards of the Coast, elaborates on Elspeth's overall popularity as a character in the game: </p>
<blockquote><p>"We can't wait to finally tell the story of Theros: Beyond Death. [...] Our fans and dedicated readers have wanted to see Elspeth's escape from the underworld brought to life since the iconic set was first released and working with Dark Horse to make it happen is a dream come true." <div id="attachment_153846" style="width: 374px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153846" class="wp-image-153846" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo.jpg" alt="The last of three covers from Untold Stories: Elspeth. Cover illustration by Vincenzo Riccardo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse" width="364" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo.jpg 1600w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo-195x300.jpg 195w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo-666x1024.jpg 666w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo-768x1181.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo-999x1536.jpg 999w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elspeth-cover-Vincenzo-Riccardo-1332x2048.jpg 1332w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153846" class="wp-caption-text">The last of three covers from <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em>. Cover illustration by <strong>Vincenzo Riccardo</strong>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse</p></div></p></blockquote>
<p> In the past, Wizards of the Coast has collaborated with comic companies such as IDW to bring their stories to a visual storytelling medium. However, licensing issues imply that we won't likely see any new characters from the comics on cards, at least in the near future (incidentally, this is part of why Wizards killed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dack Fayden" href="#" target="_blank">Dack Fayden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> during <em>War of the Spark</em>). <em>Untold Stories: Elspeth</em> comes out on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025. As a miniseries, it will run for a span of four issues. Naturally, we will review this series as it comes out. Meanwhile, are you excited for this Dark Horse Comics miniseries to come out? Sound off below!</p>


Dark Horse Comics' First Magic Comic Focuses On Elspeth

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</h6>
<p> <em>Final Fantasy</em> previews for this week have been quite exciting! However, the week is starting to come to an end. That said, the preview season for this set is still going quite strong. We still have an entire <em>week</em> of previews after this week draws to a close! As such, here are the previews for Thursday, May 22nd! </p>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy</em> Previews From Yesterday's End</h2>
<p> Naturally, some of these spoilers came to light after we published <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/best-final-fantasy-spoilers-for-wednesday-may-21st">yesterday's recap</a>. As we wish to recap these cards as well, let's look at what we missed on Wednesday, May 21st: </p>
<h3>Stolen Uniform</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153817" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Stolen-Uniform.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153817" class="wp-image-153817" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Stolen-Uniform.jpg" alt="Stolen Uniform, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Stolen-Uniform.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Stolen-Uniform-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153817" class="wp-caption-text">Stolen Uniform, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>Sidequest: Hunt the Mark</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153818" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02a-Sidequest-Hunt-the-Mark.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153818" class="wp-image-153818" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02a-Sidequest-Hunt-the-Mark.jpg" alt="Sidequest: Hunt the Mark, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02a-Sidequest-Hunt-the-Mark.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02a-Sidequest-Hunt-the-Mark-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153818" class="wp-caption-text">Sidequest: Hunt the Mark, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> <div id="attachment_153819" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02b-Yiazmat-Ultimate-Mark.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153819" class="wp-image-153819" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02b-Yiazmat-Ultimate-Mark.jpg" alt="Yiazmat, Ultimate Mark, the rear face of Sidequest: Hunt the Mark. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02b-Yiazmat-Ultimate-Mark.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02b-Yiazmat-Ultimate-Mark-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153819" class="wp-caption-text">Yiazmat, Ultimate Mark, the rear face of Sidequest: Hunt the Mark. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3><em>Through the Ages</em> Bonus Sheet Preview From May 21st</h3>
<p> In addition to the two cards previewed and shown above, one card from the <em>Through the Ages</em> bonus sheet became public as well: <div id="attachment_153820" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Warrior-of-Light-Adeline-Resplendent-Cathar.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153820" class="wp-image-153820" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Warrior-of-Light-Adeline-Resplendent-Cathar.jpg" alt="Hero of Light, a reskin of Adeline, Resplendent Cathar. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Warrior-of-Light-Adeline-Resplendent-Cathar.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Warrior-of-Light-Adeline-Resplendent-Cathar-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153820" class="wp-caption-text">Hero of Light, a reskin of Adeline, Resplendent Cathar. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h2>May 22nd <em>Final Fantasy</em> Previews</h2>
<p> May 22nd's previews were quite cool. We got the rest of the <em>FFXV</em> party, which was consistent on many people's largely varied wish lists, as well as their car, The Regalia. We got a few cool cards with flavor from other games as well, including the World Map from the first <em>Final Fantasy</em> game. World Map looks like it's a better iteration of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble" href="#" target="_blank">Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a slightly less wieldy <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expedition Map" href="#" target="_blank">Expedition Map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That is to say, it's a strong staple in decks that lack or want additional ramp. Anyway, here are the day's previews! </p>
<h3>Ignis Scientia</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153824" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Ignis-Scientia.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153824" class="wp-image-153824" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Ignis-Scientia.jpg" alt="Ignis Scientia, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Ignis-Scientia.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Ignis-Scientia-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153824" class="wp-caption-text">Ignis Scientia, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>Prompto Argentum</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153825" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Prompto-Argentum.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153825" class="wp-image-153825" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Prompto-Argentum.jpg" alt="Prompto Argentum, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Prompto-Argentum.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Prompto-Argentum-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153825" class="wp-caption-text">Prompto Argentum, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>The Gold Saucer</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153826" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-The-Gold-Saucer.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153826" class="wp-image-153826" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-The-Gold-Saucer.jpg" alt="The Gold Saucer, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-The-Gold-Saucer.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-The-Gold-Saucer-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153826" class="wp-caption-text">The Gold Saucer, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>The Lunar Whale</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153827" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-The-Lunar-Whale.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153827" class="wp-image-153827" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-The-Lunar-Whale.jpg" alt="The Lunar Whale, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-The-Lunar-Whale.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-The-Lunar-Whale-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153827" class="wp-caption-text">The Lunar Whale, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>Vayne's Treachery</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153828" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Vaynes-Treachery.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153828" class="wp-image-153828" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Vaynes-Treachery.jpg" alt="Vayne's Treachery, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Vaynes-Treachery.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Vaynes-Treachery-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153828" class="wp-caption-text">Vayne's Treachery, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>World Map</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153829" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-World-Map.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153829" class="wp-image-153829" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-World-Map.jpg" alt="World Map, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-World-Map.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-World-Map-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153829" class="wp-caption-text">World Map, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>Reach the Horizon</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153830" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Reach-the-Horizon.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153830" class="wp-image-153830" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Reach-the-Horizon.jpg" alt="Reach the Horizon, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Reach-the-Horizon.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Reach-the-Horizon-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153830" class="wp-caption-text">Reach the Horizon, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>Weapons Vendor</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153831" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Weapons-Vendor.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153831" class="wp-image-153831" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Weapons-Vendor.jpg" alt="Weapons Vendor, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Weapons-Vendor.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Weapons-Vendor-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153831" class="wp-caption-text">Weapons Vendor, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>The Regalia</h3>
<p> <div id="attachment_153832" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-The-Regalia.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153832" class="wp-image-153832" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-The-Regalia.jpg" alt="The Regalia, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-The-Regalia.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-The-Regalia-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153832" class="wp-caption-text">The Regalia, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed late in the day on Wednesday, May 22nd. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> </p>
<h3>May 22nd's <em>Through the Ages</em> Preview Card</h3>
<p> Finally, we got another <em>Through the Ages</em> bonus sheet preview card on May 22nd as well. What better card to represent Noctis of <em>Final Fantasy XV</em> than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kenrith, the Returned King?" href="#" target="_blank">Kenrith, the Returned King?</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <div id="attachment_153836" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Noctis-Lucis-Caelum-Kenrith-the-Returned-King.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153836" class="wp-image-153836" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Noctis-Lucis-Caelum-Kenrith-the-Returned-King.jpg" alt="Noctis Lucis Caelum, a reskin of Kenrith, the Returned King. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Noctis-Lucis-Caelum-Kenrith-the-Returned-King.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Noctis-Lucis-Caelum-Kenrith-the-Returned-King-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153836" class="wp-caption-text">Noctis Lucis Caelum, a reskin of Kenrith, the Returned King. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div> This preview from <em>Through the Ages</em>, paired with the previous day's, puts the current total number of revealed cards at 56 out of 64. That means there are only eight cards to go! As there are four cards per game represented in this bonus sheet, that means a crunch for games in this sheet is easy to track. Below is a list of the number of cards remaining for the sheet: </p>
<ul>
<li><em>FFI</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFII</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFIII</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFIV</em> 1</li>
<li><em>FFV</em> 1</li>
<li><em>FFVI</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFVII</em> 1</li>
<li><em>FFVIII</em> 1</li>
<li><em>FFIX</em> 2</li>
<li><em>FFX</em> 1</li>
<li><em>FFXI</em> 1</li>
<li><em>FFXII</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFXIII</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFXIV</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFXV</em> 0</li>
<li><em>FFXVI</em> 0</li>
</ul>
<h2>Time For A Road Trip!</h2>
<p> With the <em>FFXV</em> gang all together at last, it is certain that players will want to make a deck based around the party, probably led by Kenrith as Noctis. Seems like a great opportunity for it! So now, let's open the floor to you before these are all absorbed into the official <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/final-fantasy/card-image-gallery">Card Image Gallery</a> on DailyMTG, dear readers. Do May 22nd's <em>Final Fantasy</em> previews excite you as a deck builder? Do you have any plans to make decks with any of these cards? Are you anticipating any other important characters from the game series? Sound off below!</p>


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