<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezio Auditore da Firenze" href="#" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art By <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fajareka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fajareka Setiawan</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>! This week we're tackling something on my short list, but also an actual deck I currently own (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fourteenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Fourteenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from the other week).</p>
<p>However, I must first address the elephant in the room. I'm talking about the recent announcement regarding the <em>Spider-Man </em>set. The <em>Traversing the Omenpaths </em>product line will have in-universe equivalents, but for digital only. I may be an ardent supporter of <em>Universes Beyond</em>, but I cannot condone this. I digress, though, because you and I want to delve into today's deck, and that I will deliver on that.</p>
<h2>Greeting Your Mentor</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ezio Auditore da Firenze"></div></div>
<p>Ezio, coming from the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> franchise, was a Florentine nobleman who's more well-known (to us real worlders anyway), as a master assassin. He came to learn of his assassin heritage at 17, with the death of several family members, including his father. From there, Ezio went on to thwart the Templars on numerous occasions. He died of a heart attack while visiting Florence with his wife and daughter, yet he would go on to become the ancestor of one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desmond Miles" href="#" target="_blank">Desmond Miles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Consequently, given his backstory, Ezio needs us to run a load of Assassins to take advantage of his first ability. This actually comes in handy, especially with the more expensive spells in the deck. In addition, don't rely on the second ability too much. It's neat when you pull it off, but Ezio himself is sitting with a 3/2 statline, meaning it'll take a while for you to be able to trigger. There's a faster, more impactful way of outright eliminating players - but we'll get to that in a moment.</p>
<h2>Ezio Auditore a Firenze Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Advent Creed" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ezio Auditore da Firenze
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Achilles Davenport
*1 Adéwalé, Breaker of Chains
*1 Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad
*1 Arbaaz Mir
*1 Arno Dorian
*1 Aveline de Grandpré
*1 Aya of Alexandria
*1 Basim Ibn Ishaq
*1 Bayek of Siwa
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Edward Kenway
*1 Eivor, Battle-Ready
*1 Evie Frye
*1 Ezio, Blade of Vengeance
*1 Jacob Frye
*1 Kassandra, Eagle Bearer
*1 Layla Hassan
*1 Lydia Frye
*1 Mary Read and Anne Bonny
*1 Queen Marchesa
*1 Ramses, Assassin Lord
*1 Ratonhnhaké꞉ton
*1 Shao Jun
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Desynchronization
*1 Harrow
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Assassin Gauntlet
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Caduceus, Staff of Hermes
*1 Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Haystack
*1 Hidden Blade
*1 Hidden Footblade
*1 Hookblade
*1 Hunter&#039;s Bow
*1 Mjölnir, Storm Hammer
*1 Phantom Blade
*1 Raven Clan War-Axe
*1 Smoke Bomb
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cultivate
*1 Eagle Vision
*1 Farseek
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Restart Sequence
*1 Viewpoint Synchronization
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Coastal Piracy
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Rooftop Bypass
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Brotherhood Headquarters
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*2 Forest
*1 Haunted Ridge
*2 Island
*2 Mountain
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*2 Plains
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunken Hollow
*2 Swamp
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Waterlogged Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Advent Creed</h2>
<p>I'm willing to bet you didn't think I was going to post the list this early in the article, did you? There's actually a story behind this list. It began when I had an idea of doing an advent calendar for Christmas last year. Originally I was going to do <em>Foundations Jumpstart</em>, but insatiable curiously killed it. Acting quickly, I went with a couple of boxes of the <em>Assassin's Creed</em> set, and the rest is history (I pulled a regular version of our commander on the first day. Talk about luck, right?). After the calendar was done, I finished it off with buying the few singles I needed from the set. In addition, this included a couple of cards from one of the <em>Secret Lair </em>drops.</p>
<p>Assembling the deck, especially towards the end, it was really difficult to make the last cuts, and I had to make some hard choices to finish the decklist. Some might say it's all of that Equipment the deck's using, but there's a reason for that.</p>
<h2>The Team Across Time</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edward Kenway"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ramses, Assassin Lord|sld|1560"></div></div>
<p>Above all, the reason I started with the list early is because of the Assassin support. Before the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>set, Assassin support was sparse to nonexistent. Now, we have a truckload to work with, laced together with historic and Equipment subthemes. Unfortunately, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desmond Miles" href="#" target="_blank">Desmond Miles</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (17,119 decks) is about the biggest hole in the list, and I'm currently trying to fit him in somehow. Like I said above, the list was tight enough for me to make some difficult cuts.</p>
<p>Most importantly, the Assassins are the backbone of our deck. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad" href="#" target="_blank">Altaïr Ibn-La&#039;Ahad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,276 decks) ensures that, with time, we'll be swinging with a swarm of Assassins, albeit temporarily. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edward Kenway" href="#" target="_blank">Edward Kenway</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,200 decks) nets us Treasures to ramp us. However, it's a shame that he and Altaïr don't combo together, since the latter's tokens are gone post-combat. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arno Dorian" href="#" target="_blank">Arno Dorian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,539 decks) buffs even the token Assassins we'll be making enough to be block-worthy. Speaking of buffs, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bayek of Siwa" href="#" target="_blank">Bayek of Siwa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,176 decks) gives our creatures double strike, capable of carrying out a devastating attack.</p>
<p>The most dangerous card in the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ramses, Assassin Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Ramses, Assassin Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Basim, Master Assassin; 16,544 decks). This was the more impactful way I was alluding to of taking players out. Time him right, and you could potentially win out of nowhere. Otherwise, he's a decently sized anthem with deathtouch, which is good with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aveline de Grandpré" href="#" target="_blank">Aveline de Grandpré</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,568 decks). There's a few ways to give deathtouch to your other creatures, but it'll be just Aveline getting bigger most of the time.</p>
<h2>Growing the Brotherhood</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rooftop Bypass"></div></div>
<p>There are a few cards in the deck that produce Assassin tokens. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rooftop Bypass" href="#" target="_blank">Rooftop Bypass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,901 decks) can give us up to three, given that we hit each player. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aya of Alexandria" href="#" target="_blank">Aya of Alexandria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,061 decks) is similar, but has the potential to give us even more tokens. Meanwhile <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Queen Marchesa|sld|1559" href="#" target="_blank">Queen Marchesa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Amunet, Tyrant's End; ironic I mention her after Aya; 29,530 decks) introduces the monarch to the game. We'll get a card if we have it, and a hasty Assassin with deathtouch if we don't.</p>
<h2>Ancient Arsenal</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ratonhnhaké:ton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eivor, Battle-Ready"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hookblade"></div></div>
<p>In addition to the historic element of the deck, you'll notice a lot of Equipment there. The main reason is not just flavor (which works, too), but they're to work with a pair of Boros legends we covered a while ago: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Battle-Ready" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Battle-Ready</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kassandra, Eagle Bearer" href="#" target="_blank">Kassandra, Eagle Bearer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,363 and 8,656 decks, respectively). Eivor is a threat in her own right, dealing damage equal to our Equipment stash, and having a sizable body to work with. Meanwhile, Kassandra works specifically with legendary Equipment, hence why we run a few here. I'd use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eivor, Wolf-Kissed" href="#" target="_blank">Eivor, Wolf-Kissed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I didn't have enough targets to make her worthwhile.</p>
<p>However, those aren't the only creatures working with Equipment. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ratonhnhaké:ton" href="#" target="_blank">Ratonhnhaké:ton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,301 decks) brings back Equipment, which is automatically equipped to the Assassin token he creates. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bureau Headmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Bureau Headmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,232 decks), our only non-legendary creature in the deck, helps us cast our Equipment, and makes equip costs more manageable. Lastly, Equipment can be tapped for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shao Jun" href="#" target="_blank">Shao Jun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (8,787 decks)'s ability while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arbaaz Mir" href="#" target="_blank">Arbaaz Mir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (20,652 decks) will drain opponents since Equipment are also historic by their nature.</p>
<p>Our Equipment suite mostly draws from the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>set, but there's some good stuff here. We have access to the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Feast and Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Feast and Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (136,870 decks) down to the lowly, but useful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hookblade" href="#" target="_blank">Hookblade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (5,615 decks). The colored Equipment cycle (and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hidden Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Hidden Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (12,493 decks)) all enter and equip themselves to a creature automatically, so there's no equip cost to worry about initially. Moreover, we have <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> (60,260 decks) and the ever-useful <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> (21,116 decks), both of which can make our commander into a major threat. Lastly, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caduceus, Staff of Hermes" href="#" target="_blank">Caduceus, Staff of Hermes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (39,122 and 86,747 decks, respectively) work to protect our creatures, if not our commander.</p>
<h2>Beyond the Franchise</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guardian Project"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crush Contraband"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Austere Command"></div></div>
<p>Trying to build a deck using exclusively cards from the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>deck is a fool's errand: we have basics, yes, but outside of those, there's really only nine nonbasic lands to its name. In addition, your access to the essentials, like ramp, are minimal at best.</p>
<p>Besides the obvious includes of <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>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Command Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we also have format all-stars like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivate" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampant Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Rampant Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (1,226,154 and 940,197 decks, respectively), which both help ramp us to keep up with our opponents. Card draw has a stronger presence within the set, but it could be a bit better. In that vein, this is where 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> (229,853 decks) come in handy. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unexpected Windfall" href="#" target="_blank">Unexpected Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (181,542 decks) provides us with both ramp and draw; not many cards in the list can do that.</p>
<p>Where the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>set excelled was in its removal. There was a lot of removal in there, so I took a bit to see what was worth adding. While some of the Equipment count as removal, we need more of it, especially more superior options. While the set had <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Assassin&#039;s Trophy" href="#" target="_blank">Assassin&#039;s Trophy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (376,282 decks), it's hard to pass up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anguished Unmaking" href="#" target="_blank">Anguished Unmaking</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (321,075 decks). Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crush Contraband" href="#" target="_blank">Crush Contraband</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (35,439 decks) has the capacity to hit two targets instead of one.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the two-ish wipes the set had were very good. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desynchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Desynchronization</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (39,827 decks) is a one-sided <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in this deck, and will hit very few of our cards. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="What Must Be Done" href="#" target="_blank">What Must Be Done</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,867 decks) is flexible utility, though you'll mostly choose the wipe option. I felt like the deck could benefit from one more wipe, and I picked <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Austere Command" href="#" target="_blank">Austere Command</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (337,633 decks) for its adaptability.</p>
<p>Lastly, for the mana base, I mostly drew from the <em>Doctor Who</em> release, since the precons there had some of the best mana bases to exist. While we have access to the enemy-colored Horizon duals, forming a panorama (more bonus points if you're using the full-art Ezio to complete it), that release came with nearly the full cycle of slow duals (ex. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haunted Ridge" href="#" target="_blank">Haunted Ridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), finished only by a couple of scry lands for now.</p>
<h2>Back to the Present</h2>
<p>Like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Fourteenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Fourteenth Doctor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with <em>Doctor Who</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezio Auditore da Firenze" href="#" target="_blank">Ezio Auditore da Firenze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> mostly just needed some stuff from beyond the release to help stabilize its foundations. For a small set, with its setup similar to the much-maligned <em>March of the Machine: Aftermath </em>release, there were a lot of cool cards in <em>Assassin's Creed</em>.</p>
<p>Return next week, when we'll take center stage in another franchise. Until then, if you're reading up on something historical, perhaps you can learn about the respective time periods the <em>Assassin's Creed </em>franchise drew its inspiration from.</p>


Building Ezio Auditore da Firenze Using Only Universes Beyond Cards

Making a Group Slug Deck With Neheb, the Eternal

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</h6>
<p>On the evening of Thursday, May 8th, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasy/posts/pfbid02T3VmsH45Nimu25H198i2wFv1t9DzafUQKwTcPvobfVXNCsSrhHtiJXyqcLVZ4e12l">the official Facebook account for <em>Final Fantasy</em></a> revealed the remaining two alternative commanders for their Commander precons. Yuna, Grand Summoner is part of the Counter Blitz deck, which features characters from <em>Final Fantasy X</em>. Graha Tia, Scion Reborn is the alternate commander of the Scions &amp; Spellcraft deck, showcasing the characters of <em>Final Fantasy XIV</em>.</p>
<h2>Yuna, Grand Summoner</h2>
<p>One of the main characters of <em>FFX</em> and the love interest of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tidus, Yuna&#039;s Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Tidus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Yuna is an extremely vital figure in the <em>FFX</em> canon. A summoner, Yuna can conjure beings known as "aeons" to aid in combat. She is also a proficient White Mage, using healing magic to act as a support role in the game and its sequel.</p>
<div id="attachment_152073" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/yuna.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152073" class="wp-image-152073" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/yuna.png" alt="Yuna, Grand Summoner, a new card from within the &quot;Counter Blitz&quot; precon for Final Fantasy. Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/yuna.png 700w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/yuna-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152073" class="wp-caption-text">Yuna, Grand Summoner, a new card from within the "Counter Blitz" precon for <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>In the context of Commander, Yuna acts as a pseudo version of <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>, but rather than the counters of the dead creature retaining their classification, Yuna effectively converts them into +1/+1 counters for another creature. What's more, Yuna is a mana-producing creature that puts +1/+1 counters on the creature that mana is spent on. In that way, she seems to do a bang-up job in somewhat imitating <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>Meanwhile, her showcase borderless version can be seen below!</p>
<div id="attachment_152074" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/borderless-yuna.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152074" class="wp-image-152074" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/borderless-yuna.png" alt="The borderless showcase version of Yuna, Grand Summoner. Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/borderless-yuna.png 700w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/borderless-yuna-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152074" class="wp-caption-text">The borderless showcase version of Yuna, Grand Summoner. Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h2>G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn</h2>
<p>G'raha Tia, also known as the "Crystal Exarch," is a major character in <em>Final Fantasy XIV</em>. He is a member of the protagonist's party and a member of the Miqo'te race in the game's setting. He is playful and eccentric, and, in the context of the MMO setting of <em>FFXIV</em>, can play the role of a Paladin, White Mage, or Black Mage. Versatile!</p>
<div id="attachment_152075" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/graha-tia.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152075" class="wp-image-152075" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/graha-tia.png" alt="G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn, a new card from within the &quot;Scions &amp; Spellcraft&quot; precon for Final Fantasy. Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/graha-tia.png 700w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/graha-tia-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152075" class="wp-caption-text">G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn, a new card from within the "Scions &amp; Spellcraft" precon for <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Image credits: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>In the context of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, G'raha Tia is a token generator with lifelink. His second ability appears to synergize somewhat with the face commander of the "Scions &amp; Spellcraft" precon, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but only just. However, the existence of a 1/1 colorless Hero token seems interesting. Usually, nonartifact creature tokens have a color associated with them. Is this indicative of something greater?</p>
<h2>Final Days Before the <em>Final Fantasy</em> Panel</h2>
<p>These two precon commander alternatives are pretty interesting. We look forward to seeing what else comes of the set and decks! If you're also interested, the panel at PAX East will be livestreamed on Twitch on Saturday, May 10th, from noon to 2 pm Eastern!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, how do you feel about these reveals? Are you excited to test out any <em>Final Fantasy</em> commanders? Sound off below!</p>


Final Fantasy Precons' Yuna And G'raha Tia Officially Revealed

The Best Ways to Play Kaheera, the Orphanguard in Commander

Old Man Magic: The Bureaucratic Undead

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://martanael.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marta Nael</a></em></p>
<p>It's usually not a good idea to give resources to an opponent, especially many different resources to many different players. Usually, any advantage that an opponent has puts us in the position to lose the game, but but but! I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm actually a huge advocate for <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/group-hug" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Group Hug</a> decks. Not that chaos nonsense, but real Group Hug. I talk about the distinctions in <a href="https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/cashinds-seo-02042025-how-to-play-group-hug-in-commander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this article</a>.</p>
<p>To boil it down a little, I discuss that Group Hug is only valid if it has a win condition. I walk through some of the ways to do that in that article, but the concept is to out-value, or use resources against, the opponents. But Group Hug isn't actually the focus on my article, the card <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> actually is.</p>
<h2>What Does Ms. Bumbleflower Do?</h2>
<p>She's 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><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> cost 1/5 creature with vigilance. And whenever you cast a spell, target opponent draws a card, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature, and that creature gains flying until end of turn. When this ability resolves the second time in a turn, you draw two cards.</p>
<p>In the traditional sense, Ms. Bumbleflower has some language on her that seems like Group Hug: she provides card draw to another player whenever you cast a spell.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ms. Bumbleflower"></div></div>
<p>This could be a huge advantage to whatever player gets the advantage. It also does a good job of accelerating the Bumbleflower player as they gain two cards on the second cast, bringing them ahead of each individual they target with the card draw. Additionally, it provides some way to give evasion to their creatures and buff them as blockers. You can even buff other players creatures after casting a cantrip to eke out a bit more damage. It's a good shields-up strategy in the colors of control and combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Seedborn Muse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Approach of the Second Sun"></div></div>
<p>I imagine in a Group Hug strategy for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> the goal is to get to draw spells and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Approach of the Second Sun" href="#" target="_blank">Approach of the Second Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Folio of Fancies" href="#" target="_blank">Folio of Fancies</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo, milling players each turn. Both are slow and steady strategies typical for Bant Control and Draw.</p>
<p>There's a possibility for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tidal Barracuda" href="#" target="_blank">Tidal Barracuda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to give your spells flash, which, with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can put you massively ahead, giving cards along the way. You could give the card draw to the player whose end step it is to give yourself more time, and not pile value into one player.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Folio of Fancies"></div></div>
<p>If you're starting to wonder when I'll talk about how strong it is to give flying to Bumbleflower and go in for combat damage, you're slightly missing the essence of Group Hug. In Group Hug you have to hide your power level as long as possible, because giving resources puts a target on your back with players who would like to benefit alone, like mid-range players who might be in danger against an Aggro deck with the gasoline of creature and card advantage.</p>
<p>But <em>this</em> is the essence of my article; why aren't we all putting counters on Bumbleflower?</p>
<h2>Ms. Bumbleflower at Her Best</h2>
<p>SURPRISE! This is actually a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Voltron Deck Tech. Hear me out.</p>
<p>Usually the most common Voltron Commanders are in Boros, but Bumbleflower can do it! She is a 1/5 with vigilance. This is insidious because it makes a great blocker and attacker. Cast one spell on your turn and she gets flying, the evasion needed for a strong Voltron commander. She also has a way to buff herself, which is another great addition for a Voltron commander.</p>
<p>Cast a spell, put a +1/+1 on her and give her flying at the cost of giving one other player a card. Cast a second, and fill your hand with two more cards you can cast, while putting on another counter. In one turn she can go from a 1/5 vigilant creature to a 3/7 flying, vigilant creature.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thunderbolt"></div></div>
<p>Her big toughness makes her survive most <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thunderbolt" href="#" target="_blank">Thunderbolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, and with enough time to build her up, she can even survive a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blasphemous Act" href="#" target="_blank">Blasphemous Act</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. She has evasion, protection, built-in card draw, and a way to be a good blocker and attacker.</p>
<h2>Other Voltron Commanders</h2>
<p>What are we usually looking for in a Voltron commander? In a general sense, what players are looking for in a Voltron commander is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Evasion</li>
<li>A way to buff or a good body to buff</li>
<li>Free/discounted cost to buff</li>
<li>Good attacker and/or blocker</li>
<li>Protection</li>
</ul>
<p>The <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/voltron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top Voltron commanders according to EDHREC</a> are: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rafiq of the Many" href="#" target="_blank">Rafiq of the Many</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice" href="#" target="_blank">Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>; and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist" href="#" target="_blank">Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. What makes these commanders so popular?</p>
<h3>Rafiq</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rafiq of the Many"></div></div>
<p>Rafiq has exalted (a creature attacking alone gets +1/+1) and gives double strike to any creature attacking alone. It goes from a humble 3/3 to a 4/4 with double strike when it attacks alone. That's potentially eight commander damage, which is usually the goal with a Voltron commander. This kind of deck focuses on many exalted effects combined to buff the hell out of itself or any other creature coming in alone.</p>
<p>Rafiq is in the same colors as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, so most of the cards you run in it could translate over easily. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silent Arbiter" href="#" target="_blank">Silent Arbiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> create a really spicy combination for this commander, which Bumbleflower could also effectively utilize. Being the only attacker and only blocker is perfect, especially when she's buffed.</p>
<h3>Light-Paws</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Light-Paws, Emperor&#039;s Voice"></div></div>
<p>Light-Paws is a well stated 2/2 for <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-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Its ability allows for easy and cheap buffs. Casting a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sage&#039;s Reverie" href="#" target="_blank">Sage&#039;s Reverie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="All That Glitters" href="#" target="_blank">All That Glitters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets you into an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ethereal Armor" href="#" target="_blank">Ethereal Armor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For six mana Light-Paws is a 14/14 with double strike.</p>
<p>That's lethal commander damage. What it does well is stack up a creature cheaply and quickly with damage. All of these cards are possible in Bumbleflower. The Auras that buff are possible with a commander that gives itself card draw and evasion and buffs, on top of basic stats.</p>
<h3>Slicer</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slicer, Hired Muscle // Slicer, High-Speed Antagonist"></div></div>
<p>Slicer is well stated as a 3/2 converted for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with haste and first strike. Equipping him with stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beamtown Beatstick" href="#" target="_blank">Beamtown Beatstick</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives it a way of connecting with evasion. With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mask of Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Mask of Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> you can fill your hand with ways to buff it on contact. Your commander gets additional opportunities to deal combat damage by being passed around.</p>
<p>Sadly, many of Slicer's cards are locked to red, outside of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s wheelhouse, but it runs a ton of Equipment that Bumbleflower can use. She doesn't get additional combats by being passed around, but she might not even need it.</p>
<h2>Fatal Flaws Of Typical Voltron Commanders</h2>
<p>One of the fatal flaws of Voltron is being locked out of blue and green good stuff - stuff like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Stuff that adds counters are typically green, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and counter magic is typically blue, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Denial" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Denial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Not being able to interact with spells that remove your commander, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Flicker" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Flicker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> them, or simply <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in response, is huge. Board wipes like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vandalblast" href="#" target="_blank">Vandalblast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> go unchecked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcane Denial"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vandalblast"></div></div>
<p>Most typical Voltron commanders struggle to put up blockers. Usually after a swing, the player is shields down and vulnerable. Running other creatures take away spells that are able to buff your commander. Rafiq doesn't run into this problem, and neither does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Casting an instant can give a creature the ability to fly and buff them as well, making blockers really strong.</p>
<h2>Card Draw Flaw</h2>
<p>I've talked in great detail on how Bumbleflower excels as a Voltron commander, but the big fatal flaw of this deck is giving out card draw. It doesn't seem like a lot, but big stormy turns with Bumbleflower that puts cards in opponents' hands might be your downfall. I can't talk my way out of this one. It is the fatal flaw that tricks most players into seeing this deck only as a Group Hug deck. Card draw on every cast is just so beneficial to other players that it's hard to work around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Narset, Parter of Veils"></div></div>
<p>But <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Narset, Parter of Veils" href="#" target="_blank">Narset, Parter of Veils</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets around that additional card draw. If you don't see that card, you can also draw more yourself, to have interaction up. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could put four cards in hand on your second spell, making sure you have value in hand to mitigate loss. It's out-valuing others in the way Group Hug typically does.</p>
<p>Free counterspells, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fierce Guardianship" href="#" target="_blank">Fierce Guardianship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Will" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are huge in this deck. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="View From Above" href="#" target="_blank">View From Above</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an excellent way to keep a spell up to give Bumbleflower flying when needed. Cantrips like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opt" href="#" target="_blank">Opt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and value spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snap" href="#" target="_blank">Snap</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rewind" href="#" target="_blank">Rewind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can refund themselves. It gives tons of mana value while giving card draw.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="View From Above"></div></div>
<p>Stacking all the powerful things in Voltron that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Ms. Bumbleflower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can do, it can be a very powerful deck, even with its one card draw issue. All I can say is that, just because you give out cards because you have to, doesn't mean your deck has to be Group Hug. Most players are playing Bumbleflower as a Voltron commander covertly behind a bunch of Group Hug effects. It's time to just fully embrace the Voltron.</p>
<p>Either way, tell me what you think. I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@Strixhavendropout on Bluesky</a>.</p>


Ms. Bumbleflower Is Better as a Voltron Deck

Which Commanders Are Most Affected by the New Game Changers?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Zenos yae Galvus/Shinryu, Transcendent Rival | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mokhman/?hl=en">Alexander Mokhov</a></em></p>
<p>The <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>fandom was still reacting to May 7's first <em>Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY </em>reveal when another one dropped on social media only a few hours later.</p>
<p>Coming off the heels of <a href="https://scryfall.com/card/fin/241/shantotto">Shantotto, the Radical Lady</a>, the details of which you can find here, the second legendary creature of the day appeared - Zenos yae Galvus/Shinryu, Transcendent Rival:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150936" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150935" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p>Yes, it's a dual-faced card. While Shantotto is a character featured in <em>Final Fantasy XI, </em>Zenos yae Galvus arrives to <em>Magic </em>via <em>Final Fantasy XIV </em>and its associated expansions. That particular game released to consoles and PC in August of 2013. Fitting perfectly into Commander games that utilize politics, the <em>Burning Chains </em>trigger on the card's Shinryu side will lead to plenty of humorous stories.</p>
<p>In addition to the basic art and frame, Wednesday also saw the reveal of an alternate treatment:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150949" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150948" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p>With <em>Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY </em>heading to Standard on its release next month, that effect might not hold as much value in a one-vs.-one environment.</p>
<p>Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY is slated for release on June 13, 2025 and promises to be stuffed with iconic characters, events, and legends from the long-running video game series. The set will feature both Play and Collector Boosters and four preconstructed Commander Decks (in both base and Collector's Edition versions), as well as Bundles, Prerelease Kits, and Starter Kits.</p>
<p>How do Zenos/Shinryu's abilities fit the character? Are you suprised to see the character make an appearance in <em>Magic </em>form? Be sure to frequent EDHREC as deck techs featuring all the revealed characters start hitting the website in the coming weeks - with a deck tech centered around Zenos coming courtesy of <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/michael-wheelan">Wheels</a>.</p>


Final Fantasy First Look: Zenos yae Galvus

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Shantotto, the Radical Lady | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jsraphael_/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Raphael</a></em></p>
<p>On May 7th, <em>Magic</em> fans were surprised with a reveal of another new character coming to the game, courtesy of the upcoming <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> — <em>FINAL FANTASY</em>.</p>
<p>According to translation from the card's printed Japanese, we're looking at Shantotto, the Radical Lady:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150792" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-241-shantotto.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a></p>
<p>As per translation, here's what we're seeing:</p>
<p><strong>Shantotto, the Radical Lady</strong></p>
<p>Legendary Creature - Dwarf Wizard</p>
<p>Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the amount of mana spent to cast that spell. If X is 4 or greater, draw a card.</p>
<p><em>"Oh my! I'm so pissed."</em></p>
<p>The uncommon legend fits with the red/blue color pair's spell-slinging focus, and the character as featured in <em>Final Fantasy XI </em>sees its "Tarutaru" identifier streamlined in <em>Magic </em>as the "Dwarf" creature type. The character's popularity exploded in the years following 2002's release of <em>FFXI. </em>As a result, Shantotto is featured in several subsequent expansions and crossovers.</p>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering</em> — <em>FINAL FANTASY</em> is slated for release on June 13, 2025 and promises to be stuffed with iconic characters, events, and legends from the long-running video game series. The set will feature both Play and Collector Boosters and four preconstructed Commander Decks (in both base and Collector's Edition versions), as well as Bundles, Prerelease Kits, and Starter Kits. <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> — <em>FINAL FANTASY</em> will be Standard-legal upon its release next month, the first Universes Beyond release to be so.</p>
<p>Despite the release more than a month away, the crossover has proven to be extremely popular, already becoming<a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-best-selling-mtg-set-before-official-release-date" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the best-selling <em>Magic </em>set to date</a>. Several of the characters have already been revealed in <em>Magic </em>form, including <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-mtg-spoiler-reveals-tifa-lockhart-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tifa Lockhart</a>.</p>
<p>What's your opinion on Shantotto? Does the card match the character? How would you have designed it? Show off your <em>FFXI </em>knowledge below. And be sure to check back often, as more cards are expected to be revealed leading up to MagicCon: Las Vegas.</p>


Final Fantasy First Look: Shantotto, the Radical Lady

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Interpret the Signs" href="#" target="_blank">Interpret the Signs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | <a href="https://www.cynthia-sheppard.com/">Cynthia Sheppard</a>)</h6>
<div></p>
<p>A new month is upon us, which means it's time for the next Archidekt Deckbuilding Contest!</p>
<p>This is a monthly contest with a different theme each month.</p>
<p>Your goal is to build a Commander legal deck that fulfills the prompt in a creative or unique fashion. At the end of each month, three finalists will be selected for you to vote on.</p>
<p>Whoever gets the most votes will be crowned the winner, although all three finalists receive a prize.</p>
<p>For this month's competition, we're looking into the past and trying to decipher the cryptic names of old <em>Magic</em> decks.</p>
<p></div>
<div></p>
<h3>What’s The Contest All About?</h3>
<p>Working within the parameters of the prompt provided below, construct a decklist with your own creative spin. Three chosen finalists will be awarded <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/">store credit to use on Cardsphere</a>.</p>
<p><strong>For May's deckbuilding contest, build a Commander-legal deck based on the name of a classic sixty card deck.</strong></p>
<p><strong> However, Rather than adapting the strategy of the deck, develop a creative interpretation based only on the deck's name.</strong></p>
<p><strong> A non-exhaustive list of wacky deck names is included here, but you can choose any deck from competitive sixty card formats. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Including an explanation of your thought process in the deck description will help your submission stand out.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Tin Fins, Zoo, Maverick, The Rock, MUD, Deadguy Ale, Fruity Pebbles, </strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Four Horsemen, Cephalid Breakfast, Full English Breakfast</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Nic Fit, Raisin Bran, Quick n' Toast, The Mighty Quinn, </strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>The Truffle Shuffle, Ice Station Zebra, Zero Effect, Spring Tide, Iggy Pop</strong></em></p>
<p></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inkwell Leviathan"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cavalier of Night"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith"></div></div>
<p>This month's prompt is about interpreting a deck name in a creative way, without consideration for the cards in the actual deck. For example, Tin Fins sounds like a deck built around sea creatures and artifacts.</p>
<p>That could be copying <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inkwell Leviathan" href="#" target="_blank">Inkwell Leviathan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or suiting merfolk up with as many equipment as possible. Four Horsemen might include only four creatures, each riding a horse, or be a deck built around a four card combo.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lotus Petal|tmp|294"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zombie Master"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zaffai, Thunder Conductor"></div></div>
<p>Some names are harder to interpret. You might have an idea of what a Fruity Pebbles deck would do, but what about Raisin Bran? Or Nic Fit? The color of Raisin Bran might remind you of the old artifact border, while raisins might represent the desiccated figures of Zombies.</p>
<p>For Nic Fit you might focus on the apparent typo, and include cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zaffai, Thunder Conductor" href="#" target="_blank">Zaffai, Thunder Conductor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which have spelling mistakes in their text.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Creative Technique"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reinterpret"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thirst for Meaning"></div></div>
<p>Of course, you can pick any deck from the long history of Magic tournaments. Keep in mind, however, that the more strange and cryptic the deck name the more opportunity you have for creative interpretation.</p>
<p>That shouldn't stop you from exploring an idea for UR Delver or Domain Overlords, but be careful you don't simply recreate that strategy in Commander.</p>
<h3>How To Participate</h3>
<ul>
<li>Brew an EDH/Commander legal deck on <a href="https://archidekt.com/">Archidekt</a> that satisfies the prompt.</li>
<li>Any unreleased cards spoiled during the contest’s duration are allowed.</li>
<li>Silver-bordered and acorn cards, while cool, are not allowed.</li>
<li>Digital-only cards (such as those designed for the Alchemy format on Arena) are not allowed.</li>
<li>Strictly one deck submitted per user.</li>
</ul>
<p>Reply to the Archidekt news post, or submission post on the <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">Archidekt Discord</a> with a link to your deck before <strong>9:00 pm EST</strong> (UTC -4, currently) on <strong>Wednesday, May 14, 2025</strong> (do not submit the same deck in multiple places).</p>
<p>Only one submission per user! From the eligible submissions, we'll select three finalists with lists that we believe best embody the spirit of the prompt. Deck descriptions are not required but certainly may provide valuable context!</p>
<div></p>
<p>On <strong>Wednesday, May 21, 2025</strong>, we’ll announce three finalists via the Archidekt Discord and a brief article on EDHREC highlighting each deck.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/sets">Each finalist will be awarded credit to use on Cardsphere</a>. The value of the credit is in US dollars and depends on the finalist's placement in deck upvotes at the end of the week-long polling period:</p>
<ul>
<li>1st Place Prize - $250</li>
<li>2nd Place Prize - $150</li>
<li>3rd Place Prize - $100</li>
</ul>
<p></div>
<p>Finalists will be contacted via email or Discord (depending on where they submitted) regarding their winnings within roughly 24 hours following the conclusion of voting on <strong>Wednesday, May 28, 2025</strong>.</p>
<p>Please note, you must have a Cardsphere account in order to receive your winnings. It's quick and free-- <a href="https://www.cardsphere.com/signup?referrer=archidekt_contest">register here</a> if you don't have an account already!</p>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/contestRules">Official contest rules</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, feel free to ask here, or join the Archidekt <a href="https://discord.gg/sctEc9Ru36">public Discord server</a>. We look forward to seeing what you all come up with!</p>


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