Our last of the Final Fantasy preconstructed Commander deck is Scions & Spellcraft, an Esper-colored value engine themed around Final Fantasy XIV. Will we be draining our opponents out?

Scions & Spellcraft Precon Deck Package Contents

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

Base

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

• 10 Double-sided tokens
• 1 Collector Booster Sample Pack
• 1 Reference card
• 1 Deck box

Collector

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

• 10 Double-sided surge foil tokens
• 1 Collector Booster Sample Pack
• 1 Reference card
• 1 Deck box

Scions & Spellcraft Precon Face Commander

Y'shtola, Night's BlessedY'shtola, Night's Blessed

Scions & Spellcraft Precon Featured Commander

G'raha Tia, Scion RebornG'raha Tia, Scion Reborn

Scions & Spellcraft Precon Decklist

New Cards in the Scions & Spellcraft Precon

Alisaie LeveilleurAlisaie Leveilleur is our first new card, and the 3/2 Elf Wizard partners with Alphinaud LeveilleurAlphinaud Leveilleur to create a highly encouraging environment for spinning up multiple spells each turn. Both Leveilleurs want us to cast two spells a turn, but in order to get full value, we need to be doing that every turn, not just ours. Scions & Spellcraft might not have enough instants in the 99 to guarantee that, but we'll certainly try.

We don't see colored spell callouts on cards too much these days, so Ardbert, Warrior of DarknessArdbert, Warrior of Darkness is a bit of a novelty. That said, in a deck built around legendary creatures, Ardbert can do a lot of damage, especially if the spells you're casting are both white and black. We'll see Ardbert pop up in a lot of Orzhov Legends Matters decks like Ratadrabik of UrborgRatadrabik of Urborg.

Emet-Selch of the Third SeatEmet-Selch of the Third Seat is here to give us a discount like Alisaie LeveilleurAlisaie Leveilleur, but this time that discount is for spells cast from the graveyard. On its own, that would make Emet-Selch a possible inclusion in flashback-style decks, but the card has a lot more words on it after that first ability. Giving any instant or sorcery in your graveyard flashback is immensely powerful, and it's not very hard to ensure opponents lose at least one life each turn.

Another new card, another trigger for casting noncreature spells, as Estinien VarlineauEstinien Varlineau converts that energy into +1/+1 counters for itself. However, the second ability veers us off in another direction entirely, encourging us to attack with both Estinien and Dragons, the latter of which is not very represented in this particular deck.

Fandaniel, Telophoroi AscianFandaniel, Telophoroi Ascian is a very funny name for a legendary creature, but the card itself isn't going to make opponents laugh. If you're able to control the battlefield and limit the number of nontoken creatures opponents can feed to Fandaniel, the game's going to end in a hurry. We're going to be hearing the name "Fandaniel" quite a bit in conversations about exciting mono-black commanders. Check out this deck built around Fandaniel.

We're getting 1/1 Birds with flying and vigilance whenever we cast noncreature spells while Hermes, Overseer of ElpisHermes, Overseer of Elpis is around. And as is modern-day Magic design tradition, Hermes also comes with inherent Bird-based value, allowing us to scry whenever we send a bird out for an attack. Kastral, the WindcrestedKastral, the Windcrested players are clamoring to get their copy of Hermes.

Scions & Spellcraft is one of those preconstructed decks that feel very disjointed in its strategy, and cards like Hildibrand MandervilleHildibrand Manderville illustrate that fact. Caring about creature tokens and not spell-slinging, Hildibrand is a mildly interesting card on its own, but very out of place in this precon. That's not to say we aren't making tokens, because we are, but this is an example of the flavor precluding precon design.

Our one Dragon for Estinien VarlineauEstinien Varlineau is Hraesvelgr of the First BroodHraesvelgr of the First Brood, but it's a pretty good one. Providing the means to make creatures unblockable is underrated in Commander, especially in Bracket 2 (Core) games where precons usually find themselves. And with Hraesvelgr doing that repeatedly and for free? It'll win you games.

A two-mana 2/1 Dwarf Wizard with lifelink, Krile BaldesionKrile Baldesion will be the engine that makes many blue/white reanimator decks go (and yes, that strategy does exist). Every cantrip buys back a Children of KorlisChildren of Korlis, for example, making you very, very hard to kill. In Scions & Spellcraft, Krile is a roleplayer, but in a deck of its own, it'll do very interesting things.

Another cost reducer, Lyse HextLyse Hext provides a flat one-mana discount on all noncreature spells, which is already pretty good. But with prowess and the easily triggered double strike, Lyse is some evasion away from doing serious damage. She's probably one of the better targets for this deck's few pieces of Equipment.

For only two mana, Papalymo TotolymoPapalymo Totolymo provides a lot of value. That incremental one damage/lifegain swing will add up when we're casting a lot of spells, and Paplymo will punish opponents who try to go over-the-top with a high-power creature. There will be plenty of games where players at the helm of Scions & Spellcraft will be using Krile to get multiple cracks with Papalymo.

Summon: Good King Mog XIISummon: Good King Mog XII is our only Saga creature in Scions & Spellcraft, and it'll be the middle chapters that get people excited. It's pretty easy to cast noncreature spells in this deck, and it really doesn't matter what they are if we're also getting a copy of our best creature in the process. However, with the high number of legendary creatures in Scions & Spellcraft, it might not be at its best.

Tataru TaruTataru Taru is just here to make friends, and incidentally profit from that friendship. In the average Commander game, this'll equate to a lot of Treasure tokens, even with the "once each turn" caveat. In fact, the meager limitations might trick opponents into not appropriately valuing Tataru Taru as the threat it is.

Thancred WatersThancred Waters is here to make sure our best permanent isn't nuked, and with that second ability providing himself indestructible, it'll be annoying for our opponents to deal with. In Scions & Spellcraft, we're using Thancred purely defensively. Five mana is a lot for this sort of ability, however.

It'll take a bit of effort to get Urianger AugureltUrianger Augurelt going, but it'll provide some nasty surprises for opponents if left unchecked. Scions & Spellcraft doesn't have quite as many of those nasty surprises as we might hope for, but card advantage is card advantage, and in a precon, that's nothing to sneeze at.

Three mana for one instance of instant speed looting isn't particularly exciting, but if you manage to create the 0/1 black Wizard by casting TransposeTranspose from your hand, you'll see where the spell's real value is. One black Wizard pinging opponents for every cast spell is going to annoy the table, but if you can amass a few of them, you'll become a problem.

There are a lot of hoops to jump through with Blue Mage's CaneBlue Mage's Cane, but if the end result is casting a massive spell out of an opponent's graveyard for only three colorless mana, we'd say it's worth it. In practice, it's probably not as good as Arcane HeistArcane Heist, but at least it's less fragile and comes with its own creature token to wield it.

It took some double-checking to make sure a card called "Reaper's ScytheReaper's Scythe" didn't already exist in the 30+ years of Magic, but it's in fact a new card with Scions & Spellcraft. As we mentioned previously, it's very easy to ensure opponents lose at least one life each turn, which means whichever creature you hire to hoist the Scythe is going to get very big, very quickly. And since the Equipment gets the soul counters, and not the creature wielding it, we don't have to start from square one if our Hero meets an untimely end.

The white version of Guardian AugmenterGuardian Augmenter, whichever creature spinning the Dancer's ChakramsDancer's Chakrams will be your commander's best friend, be that the 1/1 Hero token or something else. At the end of the day, it's a small power/toughness bonus and some lifelink, which is good with our Scions & Spellcraft commander, but perhaps not good enough.

Why be satisfied with a singular Hero from our Job Select equipment when we could instead have as many Heroes we can afford with Champions from BeyondChampions from Beyond? It'll be tough to attack consistently with eight creatures, but luckily the massive +4/+4 across the board means we probably won't have to do it that many times before the game ends.

The fifth-ever legendary Aura in Magic, Eye of NidhoggEye of Nidhogg is excellent at ensuring the scariest creature on the board won't attack you. Sometimes that creature already belongs to you, and you want to make it even scarier by turning it into a Dragon and giving it a bunch of keywords, but other times we're only casting this Aura because of the word "goaded." Eye of Nidhogg's real power, though, is that second ability.

Observed StasisObserved Stasis is going to be a huge swing in precon battles, and no one will ever see it coming. Blue has a long history of messing with combat, but very rarely is it done through an Aura. Enchantress decks splashing blue are going to scoop this one up as quickly as possible.

How The Scions & Spellcraft Precon Deck Plays

At face value, Scions & Spellcraft wants to be a spellslinger deck first, and a token deck second. But at the end of the day, all we're going to care about is triggering Y'shtola, Night's BlessedY'shtola, Night's Blessed to draw cards. The face commander of the deck is extremely powerful, though the deck itself isn't constructed in a way to really eke maximum value from the pair of Y'shtola's triggers. In fact, let's count up all the cards in the deck that are noncreature spells with mana value three or greater. That number would be 27, out of the 63 nonland cards in the deck. There are also five cards that could be noncreature spells with a mana value of three or greater:

• Hypnotic SpriteHypnotic Sprite
• Murderous RiderMurderous Rider
• Hildibrand MandervilleHildibrand Manderville
• ExsanguinateExsanguinate
• Champions from BeyondChampions from Beyond

The problem with Y'shtola is that we want to ensure opponents lose at least four life in order to draw our card. Yes, that will happen incidentally, as the game progresses and people punch each other. But relying on opponents to cooperate with your game plan is never a wise strategy.

That's why we're going into business for ourselves. Like any true Esper-colored spellslinging list, we want to control the battlefield as best as possible while we squeeze as much advantage as possible out of Y'shtola and our other spell-lovers. Here's how we do that:

• Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares
• VindicateVindicate
• Void RendVoid Rend
• Lethal SchemeLethal Scheme
• Snuff OutSnuff Out
• PropagandaPropaganda

Snuff OutSnuff Out in particular is an excellent reprint here, not only because of the monetary value, but because of the option to pay life - but more on that later. We've also got not one, but three sweepers:

• Cleansing NovaCleansing Nova
• Crux of FateCrux of Fate
• Final JudgmentFinal Judgment

As for our cards that provide us advantage, we've got plenty. As with any deck of this style, it's all about having more cardboard than our opponents; meaning, we want to out-draw and out-value the rest of the table:

• Archmage EmeritusArchmage Emeritus
• Torrential GearhulkTorrential Gearhulk
• Baleful StrixBaleful Strix
• Cut a DealCut a Deal
• Syphon MindSyphon Mind
• Sublime EpiphanySublime Epiphany
• Into the StoryInto the Story
• Dig Through TimeDig Through Time

Combos and Synergy in the Scions & Spellcraft Precon

Unlike in the last preconstructed deck, Counter Blitz, there aren't any combos in Scions & Spellcraft right out of the box. That's totally fine, because we've got plenty of synergy with our noncreature spellcasting to make up for it.

However, if we did want to have a combo or two, it wouldn't be that difficult.

All we need to do is add a Chain of SmogChain of Smog, and with Archmage EmeritusArchmage Emeritus on the battlefield, we can draw our entire deck. Where we go from there might not be clear, but that's playing blue for you.

If you'd rather someone else draw their entire deck - and by "someone else" we mean everyone else, then all we'd need to do is add a copy of Naru Meha, Master WizardNaru Meha, Master Wizard to go with our Sublime EpiphanySublime Epiphany already in the 99.

Lands and Mana Rocks in the Scions & Spellcraft Precon

The Scions & Spellcraft precon has plenty of mana rocks and fixing, which is a welcome change from the first three Final Fantasy precons. Let's take a look:

• Sol RingSol Ring
• Arcane SignetArcane Signet
• Talisman of DominanceTalisman of Dominance
• Talisman of HierarchyTalisman of Hierarchy
• Talisman of ProgressTalisman of Progress
• Thought VesselThought Vessel
• Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map
• Relic of LegendsRelic of Legends
• White AuraciteWhite Auracite
• Coveted JewelCoveted Jewel

Obviously a few of these are situational, but it's nice to see all three applicable Talismans included here. However, with the number of legendary creatures in each of these decks, it's a surprise that Relic of LegendsRelic of Legends wasn't in all of them.

As for our lands, it's again pretty standard for a three-color preconstructed deck. In fact, a few of the more puzzling choices might lead one to think the landbase is a bit substandard:

• Contaminated AquiferContaminated Aquifer
• Evolving WildsEvolving Wilds
• Idyllic BeachfrontIdyllic Beachfront
• Sunlit MarshSunlit Marsh

Since the basic land typing isn't particularly relevant in this deck, it couldn't have been impossible to at least include a Dismal BackwaterDismal Backwater instead of a Contaminated AquiferContaminated Aquifer, right?

Upgrading the Scions & Spellcraft Precon Deck

Budget Alternatives

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

Out

• Lingering SoulsLingering Souls
• Estinien VarlineauEstinien Varlineau
• Hildibrand MandervilleHildibrand Manderville
• Astrologian's PlanisphereAstrologian's Planisphere
• Sage's NoulithsSage's Nouliths

In

• Frantic SearchFrantic Search
• Press the EnemyPress the Enemy
• AetherizeAetherize
• Risky ShortcutRisky Shortcut
• Mindsplice ApparatusMindsplice Apparatus

We're just looking to beef up the count of noncreature spells that trigger Y'shtola, while also shoring up some of our card draw and interaction. We'll live or die by card advantage, after all.

Value Alternatives

• Toxic DelugeToxic Deluge
• Sheoldred, the ApocalypseSheoldred, the Apocalypse
• Sink into StuporSink into Stupor
• InkshieldInkshield
• Quantum MisalignmentQuantum Misalignment

Bracket Upgrades

It'll be easy to slot in any of these generically powerful Game Changers if we want to compete at higher bracket tables:

• Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe
• Rhystic StudyRhystic Study
• Force of WillForce of Will
• The One RingThe One Ring
• Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection

An Archetype Change for the Scions & Spellcraft Precon

Of the four Final Fantasy preconstructed decks, Scions & Spellcraft is most easily malleable should we opt for a different direction. Y'shtola is arguably the best face commander of the four decks in a vacuum, and allows some flexibility in the way we build our deck.

So, to that end, one part of Y'shtola's text points us in an interesting direction. Or, specifically, a part of the text that isn't there. Y'shtola only cares if a player lost four or more life in a turn, not that it was an opponent. And a lot of the time, it's easier to make ourselves lose four life than an opponent. Y'shtola conveniently helps us buoy our life total as well, so we won't be in fear of going too hard with the self-destruction.

Here's a suite of cards that you can swap in to really take advantage of Y'shtola's masochistic side:

• Vito, Thorn of the Dusk RoseVito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
• Exquisite BloodExquisite Blood
• Sign in BloodSign in Blood
• NecropotenceNecropotence
• Bloodthirsty ConquerorBloodthirsty Conqueror
• Elenda and AzorElenda and Azor
• Vile ConsumptionVile Consumption
• Phyrexian ProcessorPhyrexian Processor
• PurgatoryPurgatory
• SlaughterSlaughter
• GreedGreed
• Bond of AgonyBond of Agony
• UmbilicusUmbilicus
• Unfulfilled DesiresUnfulfilled Desires

Value vs. MSRP for the Scions & Spellcraft Precon

In terms of reprint value, Scions & Spellcraft doesn't have a lot in the way of solid hits in the 99. We have to wait until the preorder dust settles before we truly know how much the individual cards in these decks will be. But for this one in particular, the reprint backbone isn't there to prop up long-term value. It'll be the new cards that'll really make Scions & Spellcraft sink or swim.

• Snuff OutSnuff Out
• Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map
• Authority of the ConsulsAuthority of the Consuls
• Crux of FateCrux of Fate
• Relic of LegendsRelic of Legends

Overall Rating and Final Thoughts

Overall, Scions & Spellcraft will be the most difficult deck of the four for a casual or new player to pick up and play straight out of the box. That's not a bad thing, but certainly one to bear in mind should you find yourself in that situation. It's also the most loosely constructed in terms of overall synergy, which might put some players off, though Y'shtola itself is likely the best face commander of the four. As for a rating, these factors earn the deck a B.

Which of the four Final Fantasy Commander decks are you hoping to pick up?

Other Final Fantasy Precons: