<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serah Farron" href="#" target="_blank">Serah Farron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art By: <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CCarissa+Susilo%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carissa Susilo</a></em></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serah Farron" href="#" target="_blank">Serah Farron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" 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> 2/2 Human Citizen, is a very unassuming card. Normally, this would be just another creature tossed to the bulk box, never to be seen again. But this is <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> in the year 2025, so let's see what kind of deck we can make with her.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serah Farron"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Serah Farron Do?</h2>
<p>The main focus of this card is making the first legendary creature we cast each turn cost <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> less, which is strong ramp to have on a commander. We can flip Serah into Crystallized Serah by controlling two other legends at the beginning of our combats. As a legendary artifact, it still reduces costs but comes with a +2/+2 bonus for our legendary creatures.</p>
<p>So, what is this deck looking to do? Play legends, play some more legends, and win the game. That's the strategy, and it does this reasonably well. This deck runs 36 creatures, and 34 of them just so happen to be legendary. We hope to cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serah Farron" href="#" target="_blank">Serah Farron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on turn three, and if everything goes right, the card should be flipping over by turn five, with us turning some creatures sideways.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Serah Farron</h2>
<p>The deck's first card to be discussed is a very special <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> mana value rock.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Relic of Legends"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relic of Legends" href="#" target="_blank">Relic of Legends</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is possibly the single best card in the entire deck, and that's not hyperbole. Selesnya is not often a color combination that needs to run mana rocks, as having access to green gives land ramp options. But this deck just so happens to come packed with 34 creatures that can be used as a makeshift mana rock. If Relic hits the battlefield, we should be able to combine it with the cost reduction of our commander to turbo out many creatures to the battlefield.</p>
<p>Some legends are better than others, for sure. Compare <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to a new card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shelinda, Yevon Acolyte" href="#" target="_blank">Shelinda, Yevon Acolyte</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and some discrepancies do appear. Both cards are good, but like many creatures in the deck, it will depend on what's happening across the table from you. So, here are some of my favorites.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Trostani Discordant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sergeant John Benton"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful" href="#" target="_blank">Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best boy on the battlefield. It gets so incredibly big so fast in this deck and is one of the best creatures to help flip our commander.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Trostani Discordant" href="#" target="_blank">Trostani Discordant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has earned a special place in my heart for the number of times my opponents have forgotten that I get my creatures back if they're stolen. The +1/+1 and the lifelinking tokens are also a pretty sweet treat. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sergeant John Benton" href="#" target="_blank">Sergeant John Benton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a creature that will have your opponents taking damage, but not realizing that they should have blocked instead.</p>
<p>As an honorable mention, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reki, the History of Kamigawa" href="#" target="_blank">Reki, the History of Kamigawa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> finds a place as one of the most insane card draw options a deck has ever seen.</p>
<h2>Legends Matter</h2>
<p>Outside of the creatures, we have other cards that care about how many legends we're running.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kamahl&#039;s Druidic Vow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Ruinous Blast"></div></div>
<p>These are twists on classic cards <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Genesis Wave" href="#" target="_blank">Genesis Wave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Planar Cleansing" href="#" target="_blank">Planar Cleansing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> but with the caveat of needing a legendary creature planeswalker out to cast them.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Konda&#039;s Banner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heroes&#039; Podium"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Konda&#039;s Banner" href="#" target="_blank">Konda&#039;s Banner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make our creatures even bigger thanks to being a two-color deck with plenty of creatures that share a color. And in this deck, we should never have to worry about not having a legend to equip. While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes&#039; Podium" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes&#039; Podium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide at most a +33/+33 boost, it can also find us more legends if we have extra mana and nothing to do with it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flowering of the White Tree"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Ring Goes South"></div></div>
<p>While ward <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> doesn't look like much, it will add up when paired up with some other cards in the deck. So <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flowering of the White Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Flowering of the White Tree</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will become the must-kill card on the table for our opponents.</p>
<p>Lastly is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ring Goes South" href="#" target="_blank">The Ring Goes South</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Read this one carefully because it gets any land, not just basics. In an average scenario, this card is just as good as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Open the Way" href="#" target="_blank">Open the Way</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and in other cases it can be the best ramp spell ever printed. Sure, the lands might come in tapped, but that often won't matter when you get 10-15 lands onto the battlefield for <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-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>.</p>
<h2>How Does This Serah Farron Deck Win?</h2>
<p>This deck wins by turning big creatures sideways and reducing our opponent's life totals to zero. Our creatures should be larger than our opponents and a bit "stickier" since they're legends with significant effects. The goal is to cast creatures constantly and gain value off cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Guardian Project" href="#" target="_blank">Guardian Project</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Destiny" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Destiny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Great Henge" href="#" target="_blank">The Great Henge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>While the deck includes nothing that qualifies as a "Plan B," we won't often need one. We also have a subtle Stax theme to the deck with creatures like:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thalia, Heretic Cathar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yasharn, Implacable Earth"></div></div>
<p>Flying under the radar with a simple plan and then slamming the door in our opponents' faces is genuinely the name of the game with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serah Farron" href="#" target="_blank">Serah Farron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I do wish that this card could do a little bit more. Maybe if there were a way to prevent the legend rule from being applied, we could try to find copy synergies? Or if the card has a different effect on the backside to get some extra value from flipping it over?</p>
<p>That's not to say that this deck won't be fun; it might not be my cup of tea, but not everything is. If you like playing Selesnya or turning big creatures sideways, you would probably sleeve up this deck for a Commander night. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serah Farron" href="#" target="_blank">Serah Farron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes from a Universes Beyond product, you might also want to play this deck if you're a fan of <em>Final Fantasy XIII.</em></span></p>
<p>Serah will probably be found in the 99 of far more decks than in the command zone, but there's something clean and straightforward about a commander whose purpose is to help you cast creatures, make them bigger, and then win the game.</p>
<h2>Serah Farron Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Tech The Deck - Serah Farron GW Legends" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Serah Farron // Crystallized Serah
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Boromir, Warden of the Tower
*1 Bruna, the Fading Light
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Dragonlord Dromoka
*1 Eladamri, Korvecdal
*1 Elena, Turk Recruit
*1 Elesh Norn // The Argent Etchings
*1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
*1 Gilded Goose
*1 Gisela, the Broken Blade
*1 God-Eternal Oketra
*1 Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea
*1 Karametra, God of Harvests
*1 Kogla, the Titan Ape
*1 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar
*1 Legolas Greenleaf
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Maester Seymour
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Myrel, Shield of Argive
*1 Reidane, God of the Worthy // Valkmira, Protector&#039;s Shield
*1 Reki, the History of Kamigawa
*1 Samwise Gamgee
*1 Selvala, Explorer Returned
*1 Sergeant John Benton
*1 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
*1 Shelinda, Yevon Acolyte
*1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
*1 Sovereign Okinec Ahau
*1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
*1 Torsten, Founder of Benalia
*1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets
*1 Trostani Discordant
*1 Wakka, Devoted Guardian
*1 Yasharn, Implacable Earth
*1 Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 Beast Within
*1 Eladamri&#039;s Call
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Worldly Tutor
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Heroes&#039; Podium
*1 Konda&#039;s Banner
*1 Mox Amber
*1 Patriar&#039;s Seal
*1 Relic of Legends
*1 Sol Ring
*1 The Great Henge
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary
*1 Kamahl&#039;s Druidic Vow
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 The Ring Goes South
*1 Three Visits
*1 Time of Need
*1 Urza&#039;s Ruinous Blast
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Day of Destiny
*1 Elven Chorus
*1 Flowering of the White Tree
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Mirari&#039;s Wake
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Boseiju, Who Endures
*1 Bountiful Promenade
*1 Branchloft Pathway // Boulderloft Pathway
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*1 Eiganjo Castle
*1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire
*1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
*1 Fabled Passage
*6 Forest
*1 Homeward Path
*1 Lush Portico
*1 Minas Tirith
*1 Mosswort Bridge
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*7 Plains
*1 Plaza of Heroes
*1 Scattered Groves
*1 Selesnya Sanctuary
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Windswept Heath
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Fin</h2>
<p>While I may not have ever Finaled a Fantasy, that doesn't mean I won't be consuming content for this upcoming release. What's your favorite legend printed in this set? What character did you want them to add who didn't make the cut? Let me know.</p>
<p>Make sure to check out all the other content related to all the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin">cards from <em>Final Fantasy</em></a> at EDHREC. I have and always will be nicnax96, and thank you for joining me and this last saved checkpoint for another <em>Tech the Deck</em>.</p>


Building a Selesnya Legends Deck With Serah Farron

Ranking the Five Crystals of Magic's Final Fantasy Set

Event Spotlight - CommandFest UK

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</h6>
<p>It's another fine Wednesday, and previews for <em>Final Fantasy</em> are continuing as expected! That means more bangers, some neat cycles, and some great callbacks, sometimes all at once! Let's not dawdle; here are the reveals from Wednesday, May 21st, as well as what we missed on May 20th.</p>
<h2>May 20th's <em>Final Fantasy</em> Previews</h2>
<p>So, shortly after publishing yesterday's recap article, we immediately caught wind of some other previews that slipped past us. It was only a small handful of cards, but regardless, we will show those right now:</p>
<div id="attachment_153684" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Lion-Heart-Arena.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153684" class="wp-image-153684" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Lion-Heart-Arena.jpg" alt="Lion Heart, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed on Tuesday, May 20th. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Lion-Heart-Arena.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Lion-Heart-Arena-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Lion-Heart-Arena-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153684" class="wp-caption-text">Lion Heart, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed on Tuesday, May 20th. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_153685" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Aettir-and-Priwen-english.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153685" class="wp-image-153685" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Aettir-and-Priwen-english.jpg" alt="Aettir and Priwen, a new card from Final Fantasy. Previewed on Tuesday, May 20th. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Aettir-and-Priwen-english.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Aettir-and-Priwen-english-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Aettir-and-Priwen-english-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153685" class="wp-caption-text">Aettir and Priwen, a new card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Previewed on Tuesday, May 20th. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>Of note: Lion Heart looks pretty drastically different from how it does in <em>Final Fantasy VIII</em>. This is likely because of the policies Wizards of the Coast has to adhere to when depicting guns and gun-like items (such as Squall's gunblade). The art is still fantastic, make no mistake, but it's also very unlike how we expect Squall's weapon to appear, per se. On to May 21st!</p>
<h2>May 21st Reveals</h2>
<p>Wednesday, May 21st had a fair amount of neat cards for players to spoil themselves with. We got a lot of cards in white and blue, with a small peppering of black and green added as well. In addition, the tentpole uncommon dual land cycle previewed today as well. But enough talk; let's look at the previews!</p>
<div id="attachment_153688" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Crystal-Fragments.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153688" class="wp-image-153688" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Crystal-Fragments.jpg" alt="Crystal Fragments, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed 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/2025/05/01a-Crystal-Fragments.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Crystal-Fragments-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153688" class="wp-caption-text">Crystal Fragments, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_153689" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01b-Summon-Alexander.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153689" class="wp-image-153689" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01b-Summon-Alexander.jpg" alt="Summon: Alexander, the rear face of Crystal Fragments. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01b-Summon-Alexander.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01b-Summon-Alexander-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153689" class="wp-caption-text">Summon: Alexander, the rear face of Crystal Fragments. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Magitek Armor</h3>
<div id="attachment_153690" style="width: 411px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Magitek-Armor.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153690" class="wp-image-153690" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Magitek-Armor.jpg" alt="Magitek Armor, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed 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/2025/05/02-Magitek-Armor.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Magitek-Armor-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153690" class="wp-caption-text">Magitek Armor, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Slash of Light</h3>
<div id="attachment_153691" style="width: 407px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Slash-of-Light.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153691" class="wp-image-153691" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Slash-of-Light.png" alt="Slash of Light, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="397" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Slash-of-Light.png 366w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Slash-of-Light-213x300.png 213w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153691" class="wp-caption-text">Slash of Light, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Clash of the Eikons</h3>
<div id="attachment_153698" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Clash-of-the-Eikons.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153698" class="wp-image-153698" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Clash-of-the-Eikons.jpg" alt="Clash of the Eikons, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Clash-of-the-Eikons.jpg 265w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Clash-of-the-Eikons-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153698" class="wp-caption-text">Clash of the Eikons, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Garnet, Princess of Alexandria</h3>
<div id="attachment_153697" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Garnet-Princess-of-Alexandria.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153697" class="wp-image-153697" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Garnet-Princess-of-Alexandria.jpg" alt="Garnet, Princess of Alexandria, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Garnet-Princess-of-Alexandria.jpg 265w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Garnet-Princess-of-Alexandria-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153697" class="wp-caption-text">Garnet, Princess of Alexandria, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Qiqirn Merchant</h3>
<div id="attachment_153696" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Qiqirn-Merchant.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153696" class="wp-image-153696" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Qiqirn-Merchant.jpg" alt="Qiqirn Merchant, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Qiqirn-Merchant.jpg 265w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Qiqirn-Merchant-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153696" class="wp-caption-text">Qiqirn Merchant, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Locke Cole</h3>
<div id="attachment_153695" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Locke-Cole.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153695" class="wp-image-153695" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Locke-Cole.png" alt="Locke Cole, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Locke-Cole.png 716w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Locke-Cole-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153695" class="wp-caption-text">Locke Cole, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Ether</h3>
<div id="attachment_153694" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ether.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153694" class="wp-image-153694" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ether.jpg" alt="Ether, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ether.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ether-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Ether-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153694" class="wp-caption-text">Ether, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Snow Villiers</h3>
<div id="attachment_153693" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Snow-Villiers.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153693" class="wp-image-153693" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Snow-Villiers.png" alt="Snow Villiers, a new card from MTGFIN. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Snow-Villiers.png 265w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Snow-Villiers-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153693" class="wp-caption-text">Snow Villiers, a new card from <em>MTGFIN</em>. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Omega, the Heartless (English Name Currently Pending)</h3>
<p>Of note, there was one card spoiled that still doesn't have an English render yet. That card is (tentatively) called Omega, the Heartless. That card's gameplay mechanics are not in question, although the name and any added flavor text are, at current. However, here is what that card does, along with its Japanese render:</p>
<blockquote><p>Omega, the Heartless <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-5" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span></p>
<p>Legendary Artifact Creature - Robot (U)</p>
<p><em>Wave Cannon</em> - When Omega enters, for each opponent, tap up to one nonland permanent that player controls. Put X stun counters on each of those permanents and you gain X life, where X is the number of nonbasic lands you control. <em>(If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, instead remove a stun counter from it.)</em></p>
<p>8/8</p></blockquote>
<div id="attachment_153692" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Omega-the-Heartless-Japanese.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153692" class="wp-image-153692" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Omega-the-Heartless-Japanese.png" alt="Omega, the Heartless, a card from Final Fantasy, here shown in Japanese (actual name pending). Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Omega-the-Heartless-Japanese.png 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Omega-the-Heartless-Japanese-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Omega-the-Heartless-Japanese-733x1024.png 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153692" class="wp-caption-text">Omega, the Heartless, a card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>, here shown in Japanese (actual name pending). Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>The Town cycle</h3>
<p>Finally, the Town cycle of uncommon dual lands has also been revealed! These don't have additional effects or anything besides entering tapped. Still, they're pretty nice callbacks to various locations in the <em>Final Fantasy</em> series' many games. Take a look!</p>
<div id="attachment_153699" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153699" class="wp-image-153699" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands.jpg" alt="The cycle of ten Town dual lands from Final Fantasy. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="600" height="334" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands.jpg 2048w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands-300x167.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands-1024x570.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands-768x427.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Town-lands-1536x854.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-153699" class="wp-caption-text">The cycle of ten Town dual lands from Final Fantasy. Previewed on Wednesday, May 21st. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>If you are looking at this article via a mobile device or otherwise can't see the names of these cards, we can offer nine of the ten (the tenth is in Japanese, so the name can't be confirmed):</p>
<ul>
<li>White-blue: Sharlayan, Nation of Scholars, from <em>FFXIV</em></li>
<li>Blue-black: Treno, Dark City, from <em>FFIX</em></li>
<li>Black-red: Vector, Imperial Capital, from <em>FFVI</em></li>
<li>Red-green: Gongaga, Reactor Town, from <em>FFVII</em></li>
<li>Green-white: Windurst, Federation Center, from <em>FFXI</em></li>
<li>White-black: Insomnia, Crown City, from <em>FFXV</em></li>
<li>Blue-red: Baron, Airship Kingdom, from <em>FFIV</em></li>
<li>Black-green: Gohn, Town of Ruin, from <em>FFV</em></li>
<li>Red-white: [Rabanastre], from <em>FFXII</em></li>
<li>Green-blue: Guadosalam, Farplane Getaway, from <em>FFX</em></li>
</ul>
<h2>Tomorrow Is Another Day</h2>
<p>We will assuredly have more <em>Final Fantasy </em>previews available tomorrow. Until then, we'll open the floor to you, dear readers. Are you currently building any particular <em>Final Fantasy</em>-centric decks? Are you doing so for Standard, Commander, or any other formats? Do the spoilers from today pique your interest when building them? Sound off below!</p>


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<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Beamtown Bullies" href="#" target="_blank">The Beamtown Bullies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Illustrated by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CTyler+Jacobson%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler Jacobson</a></em></p>
<hr />
<p>Hello, and welcome to <em>Am I the Bolas</em>? This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some <em>Magic </em>and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"</p>
<p>I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com with your story, a pseudonym you want to use, and of course, only include details you don't mind in the column! You might see your story below one day. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-25893" src="https://commandersherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bolcast_logo430x430-300x300.png" alt="" width="249" height="249" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmITheBolcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THIS PODCAST!</a></p>
<p>I'm Mike Carrozza, and what the heck is a Moogle?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moogles&#039; Valor"></div></div>
<p><i>Humanoid kitty cat guys? I thought that was <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola Rhul" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola Rhul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>???</i></p>
<p>This week: when is it okay to break a deal?</p>
<p>(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)</p>
<hr />
<h2>HELLO, MIKE</h2>
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<div><em>I only recently started playing Magic: The Gathering and ever since have been a big fan of your column!</em></div>
<div><em>Here is the story:</em></div>
<div><em>I regularly go to the open Commander nights at my LGS to learn to play against the different decks and get inspirations for new ones. Last week, I had a game where I tried out my most recent addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Beamtown Bullies" href="#" target="_blank">The Beamtown Bullies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I know, I know, I have read the very flavourful Reddit rants about that commander and it already makes me some sort of the Bolas, but the deck's philosophy appeals to me and it was a good budget deck to build.</em></div>
<div><em>Anyway, the particular situation. The game had already developed quite a bit (partially due to me giving people the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boldwyr Heavyweights" href="#" target="_blank">Boldwyr Heavyweights</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and other group hug cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hired Giant" href="#" target="_blank">Hired Giant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), but the table had no real sense for politics. So when I would ask something like "let's strike a deal about who gets this next card" people would not engage in that other than complain when they would be targeted.</em></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<div><em>The only one engaging at one point was the opponent taking their turn before me (Ben), who did not use his <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murder" href="#" target="_blank">Murder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on my commander in exchange for me not giving him a creature next turn. The turns progress and at one point the opponent before Ben goes all in on him with a flyer threatening enough damage to kill him, if it wasn't for Ben's reach creature. With me having an untapped <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Beamtown Bullies" href="#" target="_blank">The Beamtown Bullies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on the battlefield and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eater of Days" href="#" target="_blank">Eater of Days</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the graveyard, I decide to use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Go for the Throat" href="#" target="_blank">Go for the Throat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on Ben's reach creature so that he dies to the other opponent's flyer, then tap my commander and give that attacking opponent the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eater of Days" href="#" target="_blank">Eater of Days</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. He responds by surrendering.</em></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<div><em>However, after the game, Ben complained quite strongly about me betraying him like that, claiming that I would have never won if he had not spared my commander and asking what the point for politics was if it was disregarded like that. He consequentially refused to play another game with me for me a) playing such a mean deck and b) disregarding deals like that. I agree, it hurt me to basically betray the only guy that actually engaged in some politics (a part of the game I really enjoy), but I had a chance to win, so I took it.</em></div>
</div>
<div><em>Since I am new to the scene, I was rather surprised by his reaction and I am now wondering if I broke some sort of "code of conduct" by winning through betrayal. The other members of the round were not too happy either but that might have stemmed from my commander itself, they reacted quite strongly when they were given even the weaker parts of the deck like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunted Wumpus" href="#" target="_blank">Hunted Wumpus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I even offered to play a rather straight-forward deck without much politics but Ben did not want to give it another go.</em></div>
<div><em>So I ask you, wise Mike,<strong> am I the Bolas? Not necessarily for identifying a win condition and executing it, even though that requires to betray a fellow player, but especially doing that when I combined it with an already toxic deck that apparently many people hate to play against?</strong></em></div>
<div><em>Yours sincerely,</em></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Jolly Balloon Man" href="#" target="_blank">The Jolly Balloon Man</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></em></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto">
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Beamtown Bullies"></div></div>
</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<h2>HOWDY, JBM!</h2>
<p>Thank you for writing and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column, so if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here.</p>
<p>I'll give to ya straight, bud. You stepped in it. It happens, it's a bit of a rite of passage, in a sense. The way you did it is pretty well like an "all of it at once" approach and I think this is a great submission.</p>
<p>Let's start with the choice of commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Beamtown Bullies" href="#" target="_blank">The Beamtown Bullies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a real groaner. It's one of those cards that comes with an expectation that you're going to be playing <em>that</em> kind of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Beamtown Bullies" href="#" target="_blank">The Beamtown Bullies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck. And it's exactly what you described with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boldwyr Heavyweights" href="#" target="_blank">Boldwyr Heavyweights</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunted Wumpus" href="#" target="_blank">Hunted Wumpus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eater of Days" href="#" target="_blank">Eater of Days</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> being very popular cards in the deck. I know you recognize that your choice in commander is a little on the mean side and I'll give it to you. It's a salt inducing card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Arbiter Augustin IV" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Arbiter Augustin IV</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jon Irenicus, Shattered One" href="#" target="_blank">Jon Irenicus, Shattered One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is the kind of deck you bring up in the rule zero convo and propose it rather than declare it. It's one of those that some players just don't want to play against. If the Bullies having haste isn't enough of an indication that it's a creature people want to get off the board quickly, I don't know what is.</p>
<p>I think Ben choosing not to play more games with you is fair. He didn't enjoy politics, doesn't like the commander you picked, your preferred play style, etc. I say it all the time on the podcast and in this column: if you don't feel like playing with someone, nobody is going to force you to. You can express that it's not of interest to you and find another pod.</p>
<p>Next, the concept of politics in Commander games isn't everybody's cup of tea. Another thing that can come up in the rule zero convo is whether players are into politicking in the game and striking deals. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Beamtown Bullies" href="#" target="_blank">The Beamtown Bullies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a deck that encourages politics in the gameplay which, at many tables, is welcome. That said, some pilots present the deck as a political deck but use their commander as a bit of a "gun on the table" - you're bullying your opponents with whatever your leverage is. An <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eater of Days" href="#" target="_blank">Eater of Days</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be in your graveyard and flashed to the whole table with a "who wants to play ball?" Some tables might not enjoy that kind of play style to begin with. Let alone...</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hunted Wumpus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Boldwyr Heavyweights"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eater of Days"></div></div>
<p>When you asked about whether you'd broken a [sort of unspoken] "code of conduct," you hit the nail on the head. When you're politicking and making deals at a table with Commander players, you're expected to keep your word. There are very few instances where you can go back on a deal and frankly, in some circles, even saying <em>that</em> much is pushing it. You're all trying to win in some way and if you make a deal, it's a momentary truce wherein the involved parties are meant to benefit. The thing is, you hit a few markers for loopholes. For example, you promised you wouldn't target Ben on his turn with your commander's ability and you technically kept your word; but you did kill him. You didn't lie, you just didn't engage in a move that is in the spirit of the bargain given that this strategy is only possible if Ben hadn't kept up his end of it.</p>
<p>Some people say that if there's an opening for a win that you should take it even if you've made a deal. In this case though, given the fact that Ben allowed you to keep the thing that took the game for you, I think it's in poor taste. <em>Even though</em>, if you had had the Bullies destroyed, your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Go for the Throat" href="#" target="_blank">Go for the Throat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could have still ended the game for him and you'd potentially get another turn from the attacking player, who's to say that they wouldn't have just come your way if Ben had made that play? Also, if Ben teased a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murder" href="#" target="_blank">Murder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that he didn't use, did he also tap out so he couldn't destroy any of the attacking creatures? This would be a bad play if a deal hadn't been struck and I guess he thought he had just enough to not die this turn cycle...right?</p>
<p>I think Ben's play here is questionable, if I'm being honest. If the whole game, nobody's indulged in politicking, why start now? Why not wait to crack the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Murder" href="#" target="_blank">Murder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as you're ending your turn to ensure the Bullies can't do anything to him? The downside of only getting one side of the story!</p>
<p>Either way, breaking a deal is a thing you do when you're new to the game whether on purpose or by accident. Apologize and try your best to keep it from happening again. I think your question tells me you don't want to be a Bolas, but in this case you unfortunately are. I think it's temporary though. *wink* ding sound effect.</p>


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