Terra, Herald of Hope's Module Is: Aggro

<p>Today is Wednesday, May 28th, sixteen days before the upcoming <em>Final Fantasy</em> set formally releases! As such, we are going to begin something special. Every day up through June 12th, we will provide you with a superlative list of some of the best cards from the set, sorted by each video game in the series. We want to start with <em>Final Fantasy I</em> and end on <em>FFXVI</em>. If that sounds good, let's begin at the very beginning!</p>
<h2>But First, Criteria!</h2>
<p>Each day, we will gauge between one and three cards from the game in question by the following criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: This superlative will generally either be a cycle, a grouping of cards from a given game, or a card that otherwise didn't quite make the cut for the other superlatives.</li>
<li><strong>Best As A Commander</strong>: This superlative denotes the best legendary creature(s) from the game in question.</li>
<li><strong>Best In The 99</strong>: In Best in the 99, we will choose the best cards for the 99 of a given Commander deck.</li>
<li><strong>Most Flavorful</strong>: As described, this card (or cards) will be the most flavorful card and most analogous to the game if possible.</li>
<li><strong>Best In Show</strong>: This one card will be the best overall (at least, in this author's opinion).</li>
</ul>
<p>With that in mind, let's discuss <em>Final Fantasy I</em>!</p>
<h2>Honorable Mentions</h2>
<p>The Honorable Mention for this game is a set of three common cards that work to create a very flavorful environment relative to what they do. Three cards fit the criteria for this in a big way, which is why this has to be an Honorable Mention; if it were just one, it would be Most Flavorful. The Honorable Mentions are:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Black Mage&#039;s Rod"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warrior&#039;s Sword"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="White Mage&#039;s Staff"></div></div>
<p>These three Equipment with job select are amazing at providing story beats within the context of a given match. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Mage&#039;s Rod" href="#" target="_blank">Black Mage&#039;s Rod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes the creature it's equipped to a Black Mage (a la the Wizard tokens from the set), <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warrior&#039;s Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Warrior&#039;s Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes the creature a Warrior (as expected), and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="White Mage&#039;s Staff" href="#" target="_blank">White Mage&#039;s Staff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns your creature into a White Mage. The concept is simple and intuitive, and for what it's worth, it rocks.</p>
<h2>Best As A Commander</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Garland, Knight of Cornelia"></div></div>
<p>Unfortunately, at this time, <span class="edhrecp__link side-by-side"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Garland, Knight of Cornelia" href="#" target="_blank">Garland, Knight of Cornelia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is Best As A Commander by default. This isn't shade for Garland, as the card is fine, especially in Pauper Commander. I just wish there were more competition in this category.</p>
<p>Being able to surveil off casting a noncreature spell is nice, especially when built around. Getting a 5/5 flying Demon later on is also nice. And, a 3/2 body for two mana is also pretty sweet. So, Garland gets this one largely by default, but certainly deserves it in some contexts.</p>
<h2>Best In The 99</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Starting Town"></div></div>
<p>From the moment it was revealed, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starting Town" href="#" target="_blank">Starting Town</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has turned heads as an additional copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Confluence" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Confluence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="City of Brass" href="#" target="_blank">City of Brass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While it's decidedly not either of those cards, its power as a versatile land can't be overstated. It's a <em>really</em> good land, but it's undoubtedly better in the early game. Furthermore, because there are only eight cards revealed from <em>Final Fantasy I</em> (at the time of writing), this is the pick of the litter, so to speak.</p>
<h2>Most Flavorful</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Town Greeter"></div></div>
<p>A card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Town Greeter" href="#" target="_blank">Town Greeter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is pretty fun when we consider the implications of, for instance, revealing and putting a Starting Town or better onto the battlefield. This is even better when it's a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Midgar, City of Mako" href="#" target="_blank">Midgar, City of Mako</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gohn, Town of Ruin" href="#" target="_blank">Gohn, Town of Ruin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It may generally be a <em>weaker</em> play, but at least you can tell your opponents, "Welcome to Midgar, City of Mako", or whatever other Town you chose.</p>
<p>That brings us to our Best In Show. What <em>FFI</em> card achieved this? Well, it could be none other than...</p>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy I</em> Best In Show</h2>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-252-adventurer-s-airship.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154329" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-252-adventurer-s-airship.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-252-adventurer-s-airship.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-252-adventurer-s-airship-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a></p>
<p>...Adventurer's Airship!</p>
<p>Every <em>Final Fantasy</em> game in the series has some kind of want for an airship, just as every game after <em>FFI</em> has some version of Cid. It's natural to the series at this point, and from here till <em>FFXVI</em>, and probably even beyond, the idea of the airship will remain ubiquitous to the series. As such, this card has the flavor chops to hold its own with the rest of them.</p>
<p>As for mechanics, as a common card, Aventurer's Airship is quite stacked. Sure, the mana value is one higher than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smuggler&#039;s Copter" href="#" target="_blank">Smuggler&#039;s Copter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as is the crew cost, and for one less toughness, but this card does a great job imitating it. Copter was <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Banned_and_restricted_cards/Timeline">banned in Standard</a> in January 2017, in Pioneer for a span, and in Brawl from the beginning. Therefore, this card theoretically could make some waves in a great many formats upon release. And that, dear reader, is why this card is Best In Show among the cards from <em>Final Fantasy I</em>.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I wish there were more options to choose from at the time of writing, but the options I had to choose from weren't too shabby. Tomorrow we will seek to look at <em>Final Fantasy II</em> and the similarly small pool it provides. But for now, let's open the floor to you. Do you think these options are correct? Were there some discrepancies I've missed? What superlatives would you give to other games, and what makes the cut,in your eyes? Sound off below!</p>


Final Fantasy 16-Day Count-Up, Day One: FFI

Storming Off With an Emet-Selch, Unsundered Commander Deck

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</h6>
<p>It is the last week of <em>Final Fantasy</em> spoilers, dear reader, but even though it's Tuesday, the week is still young! We are here to bring you the recap for every card previewed from this extended weekend all the way through Tuesday, May 27th. Without further ado, let's check out the reveals!</p>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy</em> Previews For The Weekend</h2>
<p>This past weekend, these cards were previewed for the upcoming <em>Final Fantasy</em> expansion. All image assets shown here are credited to Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix:</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Black-Waltz-No-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154282" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Black-Waltz-No-3.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Black-Waltz-No-3.jpg 488w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Black-Waltz-No-3-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Dion-Bahamuts-Dominant.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154283" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Dion-Bahamuts-Dominant.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Dion-Bahamuts-Dominant.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Dion-Bahamuts-Dominant-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Bahamut-Warden-of-Light.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154284" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Bahamut-Warden-of-Light.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Bahamut-Warden-of-Light.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01a-Bahamut-Warden-of-Light-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Eject.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154285" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Eject.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Eject.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Eject-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Midgar-City-of-Mako.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154286" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Midgar-City-of-Mako.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Midgar-City-of-Mako.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Midgar-City-of-Mako-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Battle-Menu.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154287" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Battle-Menu.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Battle-Menu.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Battle-Menu-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Combat-Tutorial.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154288" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Combat-Tutorial.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Combat-Tutorial.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Combat-Tutorial-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Fight-On.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154289" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Fight-On.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Fight-On.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Fight-On-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Restoration-Magic.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154290" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Restoration-Magic.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Restoration-Magic.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Restoration-Magic-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Cactuar.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154291" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Cactuar.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Cactuar.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Cactuar-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Ashe-Princess-of-Dalmasca.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154292" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Ashe-Princess-of-Dalmasca.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Ashe-Princess-of-Dalmasca.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Ashe-Princess-of-Dalmasca-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Light-of-Judgment.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154293" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Light-of-Judgment.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Light-of-Judgment.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Light-of-Judgment-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Elixir.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154294" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Elixir.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Elixir.jpg 488w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Elixir-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-The-Final-Days.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154295" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-The-Final-Days.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-The-Final-Days.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11-The-Final-Days-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12-Louisoixs-Sacrifice.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154296" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12-Louisoixs-Sacrifice.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12-Louisoixs-Sacrifice.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12-Louisoixs-Sacrifice-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Judge-Magister-Gabranth.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154297" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Judge-Magister-Gabranth.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Judge-Magister-Gabranth.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/13-Judge-Magister-Gabranth-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Magitek-Infantry.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154298" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Magitek-Infantry.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Magitek-Infantry.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14-Magitek-Infantry-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15-Sorceresss-Schemes.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154299" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15-Sorceresss-Schemes.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15-Sorceresss-Schemes.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15-Sorceresss-Schemes-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a></p>
<h3><em>Through the Ages</em> Spoilers</h3>
<p>We also got two cards from the <em>Through the Ages</em> bonus sheet over this extended weekend!</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Knights-of-San-dOria-Ranger-Captain-of-Eos.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154301" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Knights-of-San-dOria-Ranger-Captain-of-Eos.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Knights-of-San-dOria-Ranger-Captain-of-Eos.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Knights-of-San-dOria-Ranger-Captain-of-Eos-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154302" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Giant-of-Babil-Traxos-Scourge-of-Kroog.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Giant-of-Babil-Traxos-Scourge-of-Kroog.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Giant-of-Babil-Traxos-Scourge-of-Kroog-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /><br />
Currently, that leaves the game crunch for <em>Through the Ages</em> at this list of games still needing cards (out of four per game):</p>
<ul>
<li><em>FFVII</em>: 1</li>
<li><em>FFVIII</em>: 1</li>
<li><em>FFIX</em>: 2</li>
<li><em>FFX</em>: 1</li>
</ul>
<p>Five more to go altogether!</p>
<h2>Previews For Tuesday, May 27th</h2>
<p>That brings us to Tuesday, May 27th. There were a <em>lot</em> of spoilers this day, especially considering how many common and uncommon cards were revealed during WeeklyMTG's livestream on <a href="http://twitch.tv/magic">Twitch</a>. We <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/weeklymtg-outlines-final-fantasy-limited-archetypes">covered these separately</a>, but we will show you everything else revealed, specifically by the time of writing, below!</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Magic-Damper.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154303" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Magic-Damper.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Magic-Damper.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Magic-Damper-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Gysahl-Greens.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154304" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Gysahl-Greens.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Gysahl-Greens.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Gysahl-Greens-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Diamond-Weapon.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154305" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Diamond-Weapon.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Diamond-Weapon.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Diamond-Weapon-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Minwu-White-Mage.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154306" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Minwu-White-Mage.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Minwu-White-Mage.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Minwu-White-Mage-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Rufus-Shinra.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154307" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Rufus-Shinra.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Rufus-Shinra.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Rufus-Shinra-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Seifer-Almasy.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154308" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Seifer-Almasy.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Seifer-Almasy.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/06-Seifer-Almasy-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Scorpion-Sentinel.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154309" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Scorpion-Sentinel.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Scorpion-Sentinel.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07-Scorpion-Sentinel-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Swallowed-by-Leviathan.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154310" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Swallowed-by-Leviathan.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Swallowed-by-Leviathan.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08-Swallowed-by-Leviathan-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Adventurers-Airship.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154311" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Adventurers-Airship.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Adventurers-Airship.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/09-Adventurers-Airship-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Thiefs-Knife.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-154312" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Thiefs-Knife.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Thiefs-Knife.jpg 672w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10-Thiefs-Knife-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></a></p>
<h2>More To Come!</h2>
<p>We still have three more days of <em>Final Fantasy</em> previews to look forward to! So with that, let us open the floor to you, dear reader. Is there anything that is still glaringly absent from the set from a lore or flavor perspective for you? Are you looking forward to opening any of the cards previewed since this past Saturday? And, are you attending a Prerelease event? Do you have any plans to use a specific archetype, if you pull it, during the Sealed event? Sound off below, because we'd love to hear more about that!</p>


Best Final Fantasy Spoilers From Tuesday, May 27th

WeeklyMTG Outlines Final Fantasy Limited Archetypes

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</h6>
<p>Summer is coming, and with it, a new <em>Secret Lair</em> superdrop! <em>Summer Superdrop 2025</em> is launching on June 9th at 9 AM Pacific Time (or Noon Eastern Time). Let's go over the different drops that this superdrop contains!</p>
<h2><em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em></h2>
<p>We've already covered these <em>Secret Lair</em> drops in another article, but to recap, these three drops will cost $29.99 for nonfoil and $39.99 in foil. There are three <em>Final Fantasy</em>-themed drops in total: One themed after some of the series' villains, one themed after the heroes' magic, and one themed after famous weapons from the series.</p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-x-final-fantasy-three-new-drops-revealed">You can find our coverage of these drops here.</a></p>
<h2><em>Artist Series: Phil Foglio</em></h2>
<p>Classic <em>Magic</em> artist <a href="https://www.studiofoglio.com/"><strong>Phil Foglio</strong></a> is a perennial favorite for many players. His oftentimes zany, painterly work draws players to the game and hearkens back to the olden days of the game. And now, he's been commissioned to create a <em>Secret Lair</em>! This drop features multiple red and green cards. The most mechanically notable of these may be a timely reprint of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Constant Mists" href="#" target="_blank">Constant Mists</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. However, his <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Lumberjack" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Lumberjack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is also just so aesthetically Foglio. Take a look!</p>
<h3>Goblin Bombardment</h3>
<div id="attachment_154191" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Goblin-Bombardment.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154191" class="wp-image-154191" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Goblin-Bombardment.jpg" alt="Goblin Bombardment, a Secret Lair reprint. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Goblin-Bombardment.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Goblin-Bombardment-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Goblin-Bombardment-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154191" class="wp-caption-text">Goblin Bombardment, a <em>Secret Lair</em> reprint. Illustrated by <strong>Phil Foglio</strong>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Orcish Lumberjack</h3>
<div id="attachment_154192" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Orcish-Lumberjack.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154192" class="wp-image-154192" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Orcish-Lumberjack.jpg" alt="Orcish Lumberjack, a reprint from Artist Series: Phil Foglio. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Orcish-Lumberjack.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Orcish-Lumberjack-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Orcish-Lumberjack-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154192" class="wp-caption-text">Orcish Lumberjack, a reprint from <em>Artist Series: Phil Foglio</em>. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Constant Mists</h3>
<div id="attachment_154193" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Constant-Mists.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154193" class="wp-image-154193" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Constant-Mists.jpg" alt="Constant Mists, a reprint from Artist Series: Phil Foglio. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Constant-Mists.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Constant-Mists-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Constant-Mists-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154193" class="wp-caption-text">Constant Mists, a reprint from <em>Artist Series: Phil Foglio</em>. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Song of the Dryads</h3>
<div id="attachment_154194" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Song-of-the-Dryads.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154194" class="wp-image-154194" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Song-of-the-Dryads.jpg" alt="Song of the Dryads, a Secret Lair reprint. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Song-of-the-Dryads.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Song-of-the-Dryads-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Song-of-the-Dryads-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154194" class="wp-caption-text">Song of the Dryads, a <em>Secret Lair</em> reprint. Illustrated by Phil Foglio. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<p><em>Artist Series: Phil Foglio</em><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> will be available for sale on the <em>Secret Lair</em> webstore for $29.99 in non-foil</span> and $39.99 for its foil iteration.</p>
<h2><em>Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira</em></h2>
<p>Mangaka and illustrator <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/2924716.Imiri_Sakabashira"><strong>Imiri Sakabashira</strong></a> has also got a <em>Secret Lair</em> drop! Wizards of the Coast describes his work as "a dream halfway through a kaiju fight", and "straight out of a movie". We are inclined to agree!</p>
<p>Here are the cards from this drop:</p>
<h3>Consecrated Sphinx</h3>
<div id="attachment_154195" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Consecrated-Sphinx.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154195" class="wp-image-154195" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Consecrated-Sphinx.jpg" alt="Consecrated Sphinx, a reprint from Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Consecrated-Sphinx.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Consecrated-Sphinx-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Consecrated-Sphinx-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154195" class="wp-caption-text">Consecrated Sphinx, a reprint from <em>Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira</em>. Illustrated by <strong>Imiri Sakabashira</strong>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Resculpt</h3>
<div id="attachment_154196" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Resculpt.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154196" class="wp-image-154196" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Resculpt.jpg" alt="Resculpt, a reprint from Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Resculpt.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Resculpt-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Resculpt-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154196" class="wp-caption-text">Resculpt, a reprint from <em>Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira</em>. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Mirage Mirror</h3>
<div id="attachment_154197" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Mirage-Mirror.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154197" class="wp-image-154197" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Mirage-Mirror.jpg" alt="Mirage Mirror, a reprint from Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Mirage-Mirror.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Mirage-Mirror-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Mirage-Mirror-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154197" class="wp-caption-text">Mirage Mirror, a reprint from <em>Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira</em>. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Scion of Draco</h3>
<div id="attachment_154198" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Scion-of-Draco.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154198" class="wp-image-154198" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Scion-of-Draco.jpg" alt="Scion of Draco, a reprint from Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Scion-of-Draco.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Scion-of-Draco-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Scion-of-Draco-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154198" class="wp-caption-text">Scion of Draco, a reprint from <em>Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira</em>. Illustrated by Imiri Sakabashira. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<p><em>Featuring: Imiri Sakabashira</em> will be available for $29.99 in non-foil and $39.99 for its foil iteration.</p>
<h2><em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em></h2>
<p>The final <em>Secret Lair</em> drop for the Summer 2025 Superdrop is <em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em>. <a href="https://www.frazettamuseum.com/"><strong>Frank Frazetta</strong></a> is a giant name in the world of pulp and fantasy artwork. His drawings are iconic and revered across the world of fantasy art. As such, <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> will now have <a href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/us/en/product/810214/the-art-of-frank-frazetta">a second drop</a> for some of Frazetta's most iconic pieces!</p>
<h3>Deadly Dispute</h3>
<div id="attachment_154199" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Deadly-Dispute.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154199" class="wp-image-154199" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Deadly-Dispute.jpg" alt="Deadly Dispute, a reprint from The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Deadly-Dispute.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Deadly-Dispute-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01-Deadly-Dispute-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154199" class="wp-caption-text">Deadly Dispute, a reprint from <em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em>. Illustrated by <strong>Frank Frazetta</strong>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Murderous Rider</h3>
<div id="attachment_154200" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Murderous-Rider.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154200" class="wp-image-154200" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Murderous-Rider.jpg" alt="Murderous Rider, a reprint from The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Murderous-Rider.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Murderous-Rider-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02-Murderous-Rider-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154200" class="wp-caption-text">Murderous Rider, a reprint from <em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em>. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Zulaport Cutthroat</h3>
<div id="attachment_154201" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Zulaport-Cutthroat.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154201" class="wp-image-154201" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Zulaport-Cutthroat.jpg" alt="Zulaport Cutthroat, a reprint from The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Zulaport-Cutthroat.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Zulaport-Cutthroat-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/03-Zulaport-Cutthroat-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154201" class="wp-caption-text">Zulaport Cutthroat, a reprint from <em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em>. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Aggravated Assault</h3>
<div id="attachment_154202" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Aggravated-Assault.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154202" class="wp-image-154202" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Aggravated-Assault.jpg" alt="Aggravated Assault, a reprint from The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Aggravated-Assault.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Aggravated-Assault-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/04-Aggravated-Assault-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154202" class="wp-caption-text">Aggravated Assault, a reprint from <em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em>. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<h3>Desperate Ritual</h3>
<div id="attachment_154203" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Desperate-Ritual.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-154203" class="wp-image-154203" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Desperate-Ritual.jpg" alt="Desperate Ritual, a reprint from The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Desperate-Ritual.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Desperate-Ritual-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05-Desperate-Ritual-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-154203" class="wp-caption-text">Desperate Ritual, a reprint from <em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em>. Illustrated by Frank Frazetta. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<p><em>The Art of Frank Frazetta: The Second Exhibition</em> will sell on the <em>Secret Lair</em> webstore at $29.99 for non-foil and $39.99 in foil.</p>
<h2>Summertime, And The Weather Is Fine!</h2>
<p>Orders of $100 or more will be eligible for free shipping. Unfortunately, they won't be eligible for <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-the-ultimate-pencil-superdrop-launches-5-12">a free pencil</a> this time.</p>
<p>Are you excited to buy any of these <em>Secret Lair</em>s within the 2025 Summer Superdrop? With the <em>Final Fantasy</em> drops likely to be the big draw for players and collectors alike, will you aim to get any of the other drops? Sound off below!</p>


Secret Lair Summer Superdrop 2025 Officially Announced

Brewing Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firion, Wild Rose Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">Firion, Wild Rose Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.elizabethpeiro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elizabeth Peiró</a></em></p>
<p>As someone who knows next to nothing about <em>Final Fantasy</em>, I was a little hesitant about tackling a brew around a legendary creature (especially considering the sheer amount of legends in the new set). This was the case until I saw <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firion, Wild Rose Warrior" href="#" target="_blank">Firion, Wild Rose Warrior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firion, Wild Rose Warrior"></div></div>
<p>The Equipment game plan has always felt incredibly linear and somewhat simple, so it hasn’t really stood out to me as a player. Don’t get me wrong, I love cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akiri, Fearless Voyager" href="#" target="_blank">Akiri, Fearless Voyager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but there haven’t been many other Equipment legends that have interested me before Firion.</p>
<p>Firion is amazing for two reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Giving equipped creatures haste is incredibly strong when equipped creatures are usually magnets for removal.</li>
<li>Making copies of Equipment, albeit temporary copies, can lead to someone ridiculous shenanigans.</li>
</ol>
<p>First, I thought to go the experimental route. Firion + a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bludgeon Brawl" href="#" target="_blank">Bludgeon Brawl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dan Lewis" href="#" target="_blank">Dan Lewis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> means we get token copies of any nontoken artifact that enters the battlefield under our control. Add a little card called <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mycosynth Lattice" href="#" target="_blank">Mycosynth Lattice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and we get a token copy of <em>every single nontoken permanent that we play</em>. Sounds crazy, right? The biggest issue with this strategy is that red lacks the ability to tutor consistently enough to get these cards reliably. Also, let’s be honest, tutors aren’t very fun. So, I pivoted away from this idea and started thinking about ways we can get the maximum benefit from our commander.</p>
<p>While brainstorming, it hit me. Living Weapon, for Mirrodin!, anything that enters with a creature - copying these gives us more creatures that stick around. So, while this is an Equipment deck, it’s also a token deck with ways to benefit from extra creature tokens, as well as our temporary Equipment tokens.</p>
<h2>Category #1: Living Weapon/Living Weapon Adjacent</h2>
<p>As I mentioned previously, the living weapon Equipment are very strong with Firion, so I added as many as I could. We have the usual suspects in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scytheclaw" href="#" target="_blank">Scytheclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Batterskull" href="#" target="_blank">Batterskull</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nettlecyst" href="#" target="_blank">Nettlecyst</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as well as the "new hotness" in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hexplate Wallbreaker" href="#" target="_blank">Hexplate Wallbreaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hexgold Halberd" href="#" target="_blank">Hexgold Halberd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and Standard powerhouse <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cori-Steel Cutter" href="#" target="_blank">Cori-Steel Cutter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scytheclaw"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Batterskull"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nettlecyst"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hexplate Wallbreaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hexgold Halberd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cori-Steel Cutter"></div></div>
<p>While getting extra 0/0 Germ tokens doesn't necessarily help, they do gain haste right away with our commander, and that's nothing to scoff at.</p>
<h2>Category #2: Benefitting From Artifact Tokens</h2>
<p>Our token Equipment copies are artifact tokens, and we can do a lot with that in mono-red. First, we can benefit from the artifacts entering with something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quicksmith Genius" href="#" target="_blank">Quicksmith Genius</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and keep our tokens around with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sundial of the Infinite" href="#" target="_blank">Sundial of the Infinite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quicksmith Genius"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sundial of the Infinite"></div></div>
<p>Since our Equipment tokens need to be sacrificed at the end of turn, there are multiple ways we can sacrifice them for value <em>before</em> the end step. Here are a few of my favorites:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Extruder" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Extruder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can turn a token into a 3/3 Golem.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krenko, Baron of Tin Street" href="#" target="_blank">Krenko, Baron of Tin Street</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give us Goblins <em>and </em>pump them.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gleeful Demolition" href="#" target="_blank">Gleeful Demolition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a sneaky piece of removal that we can use <em>on our own tokens</em> for extra creatures.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gut, True Soul Zealot" href="#" target="_blank">Gut, True Soul Zealot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns our temporary Equipment into 4/1 Skeleton creatures.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Broadside Bombardiers" href="#" target="_blank">Broadside Bombardiers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns our tokens into removal.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breya&#039;s Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Breya&#039;s Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can grant us impulse draw or a temporary buff in a pinch.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Extruder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Krenko, Baron of Tin Street"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gleeful Demolition"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gut, True Soul Zealot"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Broadside Bombardiers"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breya&#039;s Apprentice"></div></div>
<p>To top it all off, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tarrian&#039;s Soulcleaver" href="#" target="_blank">Tarrian&#039;s Soulcleaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> goes absolutely bonkers in a deck like this.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tarrian&#039;s Soulcleaver"></div></div>
<h2>Category #3: Finishers</h2>
<p>Yes, the whole "copy our Equipment" thing is fun, but we need a way to win the game. Luckily for us, there are three great ways we can end the game with our commander in play. The first involves a simple creature called <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackdown Construct" href="#" target="_blank">Crackdown Construct</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crackdown Construct"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackdown Construct" href="#" target="_blank">Crackdown Construct</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is famous for going infinite with something that has an equip cost of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-0" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and our commander gives our Equipment tokens a reduced equip cost. What this means is we can make the Crackdown Construct infinitely huge if our commander is onboard. Just equip one of our tokens to the Construct, then move it to our commander, then move it back. Each time the Construct is targeted by the equip ability, it will get +1/+1. Do all of this with an Equipment that grants trample? It's game over for at least one of our opponents.</p>
<div id="4944-6576--113" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="4944-6576--113" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Firion%2C%20Wild%20Rose%20Warrior%22%2C%22Crackdown%20Construct%22%5D&requires=%5B%22Equipment%20with%20Equip%20Cost%20%3D%20%7B1%7D%2C%20%7B2%7D%22%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinitely%20large%20creature%20until%20end%20of%20turn%22%5D&id=4944-6576--113&color=R&extraRequirementCount=1"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
Our second finisher comes in the form of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armory Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Armory Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Armory Automaton"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Armory Automaton" href="#" target="_blank">Armory Automaton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very simple; when it attacks we equip all Equipment to it. If we have a critical mass of Equipment in play, it can easily be game over for a player.</p>
<p>Our third and final finisher isn't guaranteed, but it grants extra combat steps, which can lead to a lethal attack.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akki Battle Squad"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akki Battle Squad" href="#" target="_blank">Akki Battle Squad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a terrific card in any deck with "modified creatures." Creatures are modified if they have any kind of Auras, Equipment, or counters on them. Luckily for us, our creatures will most likely have Equipment attached to them, so we can easily trigger the extra combat ability. Like I said, it isn't immediately a win, but it can get us closer to one.</p>
<h2>Closing Thoughts and Deck List for Firion, Wild Rose Warrior</h2>
<p>Until this point, I have never brewed around a mono-red commander, but I'm happy to change that today. This was a fun process, and I'm curious about who this character is in <em>Final Fantasy</em> lore. Thank you for joining me on this journey! Check out my decklist below.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Firion, Wild Rose Warrior" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Firion, Wild Rose Warrior
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Akki Battle Squad
*1 Armory Automaton
*1 Bonehoard Dracosaur
*1 Breya&#039;s Apprentice
*1 Broadside Bombardiers
*1 Champion of the Flame
*1 Crackdown Construct
*1 Crime Novelist
*1 Emberheart Challenger
*1 Fervent Champion
*1 Freya Crescent
*1 Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms
*1 Goblin Engineer
*1 Gut, True Soul Zealot
*1 Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
*1 Komainu Battle Armor
*1 Krenko, Baron of Tin Street
*1 Loyal Apprentice
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Quicksmith Genius
*1 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
*1 Valduk, Keeper of the Flame
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Untimely Malfunction
*1 Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge
*1 Wild Magic Surge
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Adaptive Omnitool
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Barbed Batterfist
*1 Basilisk Collar
*1 Batterskull
*1 Beamtown Beatstick
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Chainsaw
*1 Cori-Steel Cutter
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dissection Tools
*1 Dragonspark Reactor
*1 Headsplitter
*1 Hexgold Halberd
*1 Hexplate Wallbreaker
*1 Idol of Oblivion
*1 Infantry Shield
*1 Inquisitorial Rosette
*1 Junk Jet
*1 Legion Extruder
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mirage Mirror
*1 Nettlecyst
*1 O-Naginata
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Samurai&#039;s Katana
*1 Scytheclaw
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sundial of the Infinite
*1 Sword of Forge and Frontier
*1 Tarrian&#039;s Soulcleaver
*1 Urabrask&#039;s Forge
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Gleeful Demolition
*1 Goldwardens&#039; Gambit
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*24 Mountain
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Scene of the Crime
*1 Treasure Vault
*1 War Room
[/Lands]"></span></div>


Making an Equipment Token Deck With Firion, Wild Rose Warrior

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant" href="#" target="_blank">Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/lasahido" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lius Lasahido</a></em></p>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering</em> is a game that truly contains multitudes. For every color, there's some means to gain card advantage, to summon enormous creatures, to exert control over the battlefield, and so on. Such is also the case with card recursion. It may be obvious, but black is the best color to resurrect creatures on the whole. However, that won't stop <em>Magic</em>'s most iconic reviving creature, the Phoenix, from doing it the most self-sufficiently. Interestingly, <em>Final Fantasy</em>, the upcoming <em>Universes Beyond</em> set, has given us a fantastic commander to lead a bunch of Phoenixes. As such, today's deck tech features <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant" href="#" target="_blank">Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> of <a href="https://na.finalfantasyxvi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy XVI</em></a> fame, with a Bracket 2 Phoenix kindred theme!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant Do?</h2>
<p>On its front face, this commander from <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em> is a card advantage generator. Joshua is a white-red legendary Human Noble Wizard 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-r" 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>. On entry, the Phoenix's Dominant allows you to discard up to two cards and draw that many back. He also has an activated ability 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-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and tapping Joshua at sorcery-speed to transform him (via exile) into Phoenix, Warden of Fire.</p>
<p>Phoenix, Warden of Fire is where this commander gets <em>really</em> interesting. It's a Saga enchantment in addition to being a Phoenix creature. When each of the first two lore counters are put onto the Warden of Fire, it deals two damage to each opponent. Then, at its final lore addition, it reverts back into Joshua, but not before recurring up to six mana worth of creatures from your graveyard. When Joshua returns, his on-entry triggered ability will trigger once more. And so the cycle begins anew.</p>
<h3>Similar Commanders to Joshua</h3>
<p>As far as I can tell, only a handful of other commanders do anything remotely similar to Joshua. For one, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daretti, Scrap Savant" href="#" target="_blank">Daretti, Scrap Savant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does a neat imitation, albeit stymied by being a planeswalker card rather than a creature. Most other Boros commanders are even further from doing what Joshua can do. However, some, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hofri Ghostforge" href="#" target="_blank">Hofri Ghostforge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for instance, can play the recursion game relatively well.</p>
<p>The closest we're going to get with a Boros commander to this build is Otharri, Suns' Glory, which we'll cover later on, as it <em>is</em> in this deck list. It makes for a decent Phoenix kindred commander, but Joshua very possibly has Otharri beat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daretti, Scrap Savant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hofri Ghostforge"></div></div>
<h3>Joshua's Strategy</h3>
<p>Design-wise, Boros is a very conflicted color identity right now. The color pair wants either to innovate with recursive measures, which many players seem potentially wary of on a power-level basis, or it wants to be pure combat, which many players seem fairly tired of overall. Therefore, this deck will take hints from both ends of the Boros spectrum and add in a little extra flair.</p>
<p>This deck is a Phoenix kindred build, where we want to be attacking as often as possible with creatures that can recur themselves easily. We have the necessary means to make them cost much less than they normally would, as well as ways to buff them on the battlefield. Those who've played either with or against any kindred build know the typical gist of this.</p>
<p>Additionally, this deck boasts a sizeable <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package, which we'll get into when discussing specific card choices. Overall, we want this deck to play well at a Bracket 2, or "Core," table.</p>
<h2>Card Choices For This Joshua Deck</h2>
<p>This is a Phoenix kindred-themed build. As such, Phoenixes are core to our gameplay strategy. There is one other major concept we need to discuss as well, but let's start with the firebirds in question:</p>
<h3>Phoenixes - <em>Magic</em>'s "Kenny McCormick"</h3>
<p>Some Phoenixes I want to bring into this discussion are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyfire Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Skyfire Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everquill Phoenix" href="#" target="_blank">Everquill Phoenix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory" href="#" target="_blank">Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. They all have certain nuances about them and make for excellent cards to add to the deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyfire Phoenix"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Everquill Phoenix"></div></div>
<p>Skyfire Phoenix is a great card to simply discard as soon as Joshua hits the battlefield. Unfortunately, it won't trigger off of Joshua's entry trigger. But whenever you cast Joshua during later plays, you can recur this Phoenix, giving you an additional flying, hasty body to smash into things.</p>
<p>Everquill Phoenix, like Joshua, is an excellent support card. When you get a chance to mutate it onto another creature, you'll be able to create a Feather token. You can sacrifice a Feather token to recur a Phoenix for just one mana. This recursion doesn't just apply to Everquill Phoenix! You can bring back <em>any</em> Phoenix from your graveyard with a Feather. In this way, Everquill is a fantastic choice to bring something back with a minimal amount of effort.</p>
<p>Otharri, Suns' Glory probably boasts the superlative for "most likely to be converted into a Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant deck." At the time of writing, Otharri and Joshua are probably the only real Boros Phoenix kindred commanders to hold any weight in the conversation. However, Otharri can only bring itself back, whereas Joshua can bring back any creature you want.</p>
<p>The commonality between these cards is their durability, tenacity, and ability to just resurrect for little effort. They are the "Kenny McCormick" (of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc2jdgA3f9Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>South Park</em></a> fame) of <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, and I mean that in the most endearing way possible.</p>
<h3>Sunforger Package</h3>
<p>Now, let's look at some cards that form a strong <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> package. Sunforger often needs a ton of build-around to make it work optimally. You can only cast instants with a mana value of four or less with the card, so we've added in a whopping <em>sixteen</em> cards that fit the bill in here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div></div>
<p>Sunforger counts towards our Bracket 2 limit of three tutors. The other two, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Steelshaper&#039;s Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Steelshaper&#039;s Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Open the Armory" href="#" target="_blank">Open the Armory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are in this deck almost exclusively to tutor up Sunforger itself. Efficiency is key, especially in a lower bracket.</p>
<p>Some of the stronger instants to cast with Sunforger are:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma&#039;s Will" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma&#039;s Will</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is an extremely versatile combat trick. You can safely use it to protect your creatures in all manner of ways. Alternatively, it can provide your creatures with additional offensive capabilities.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master Warcraft" href="#" target="_blank">Master Warcraft</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another combat trick in Boros, Master Warcraft is one of my favorite combat manipulation spells. Being able to force players to attack and/or block how you wish them to can turn the tides of entire games very quickly. Sadly, on another player's turn, you can't choose how creatures attack. However, you can manipulate the flow of battle with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Island Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Island Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for an easier time on an opposing player's turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sometimes your Phoenixes can't withstand a board wipe without a ton of necessary rebuilding afterwards. A strictly defensive option, Clever Concealment allows you to protect your creatures from so much removal in this game. Being able to skirt around mass-exile effects, or even board wipes that remove defenses like indestructible, can be massive. To that end, it's a fantastic card to cast via Sunforger.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Akroma&#039;s Will"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master Warcraft"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clever Concealment"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've discussed the cards that should further our game plan, let's talk about how Joshua plans to win!</p>
<h2>Winning With Joshua</h2>
<p>The plan is remarkably simple for any Bracket over 2. This is a Bracket 2 deck, though, so let's keep this in mind as we discuss our plan for victory. Put plainly, we want to use this deck to overrun our opponents with an army of giant, flying, flaming birds. We want to protect them whenever we need to, but we also want to swing for the fences with reckless abandon. If one Phoenix falls, there is a means to bring it back safely. If many Phoenixes could fall, you have the methods to prevent that occurrence. Eventually, you'll be remarkably ahead on damage output, while your opponents will have exhausted their many resources trying to quell the firestorm.</p>
<h2>Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Joshua, Phoenix&#039;s Dominant // Phoenix, Warden of Fire
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Adaptive Automaton
*1 Arclight Phoenix
*1 Brass Herald
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Detective&#039;s Phoenix
*1 Everquill Phoenix
*1 Flame-Wreathed Phoenix
*1 Flamewake Phoenix
*1 Glory
*1 Kuldotha Phoenix
*1 Lightning Phoenix
*1 Magma Phoenix
*1 Magus of the Moat
*1 Metallic Mimic
*1 Nemesis Phoenix
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Otharri, Suns&#039; Glory
*1 Phoenix of Ash
*1 Pinnacle Monk // Mystic Peak
*1 Rekindling Phoenix
*1 Roaming Throne
*1 Skyfire Phoenix
*1 Summon: Esper Valigarmanda
*1 Weathered Wayfarer
*1 Witch Enchanter // Witch-Blessed Meadow
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 And They Shall Know No Fear
*1 Angel&#039;s Grace
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Cloud&#039;s Limit Break
*1 Comeuppance
*1 Deflecting Palm
*1 Final Showdown
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Master Warcraft
*1 Olórin&#039;s Searing Light
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Silence
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Banner of Kinship
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Isochron Scepter
*1 Lavaspur Boots
*1 Patchwork Banner
*1 Phoenix Down
*1 Power Conduit
*1 Progenitor&#039;s Icon
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Sunforger
*1 Sunglasses of Urza
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Urza&#039;s Incubator
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Island Sanctuary
*1 Molten Echoes
*1 Reconnaissance
*1 Shared Animosity
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Open the Armory
*1 Steelshaper&#039;s Gift
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Elegant Parlor
*1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
*1 Evolving Wilds
*8 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Needleverge Pathway // Pillarverge Pathway
*10 Plains
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Three Tree City
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>When this commander got previewed, I was floored. I knew nothing about <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em>, but I knew there was a Joshua somewhere in the series canon. Joshua, being a Phoenix summoner, was kind of a big deal to me for very personal reasons. So, I decided that, for this deck tech of a character who shared my name, I'd lean into it in just as big a way.</p>
<p>If you're a fan of atypical kindred decks that you'd seldom see on a battlefield, this is a deck for you. Likewise, if you like the idea of a recursion strategy but can't fathom playing black, this deck is also a great potential fit. It's not the most powerful deck at your local game store's Commander night, to be frank, but it may be the most fun Bracket 2 deck you'll see there.</p>


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