<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/ludongjun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russel Lu</a></em></p>
<p>I might not have the best history with the <em>Final Fantasy</em> games, but I <em>do</em> have a long history with the Demon creature type, which is why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stood out to me as the previews for the newest set came in. My first-ever booster pack was a <em>Champions of Kamigawa</em> pack, which had some real beauties in it, including one of my prized Magic possessions: a foil <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kuro, Pitlord" href="#" target="_blank">Kuro, Pitlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While time and power creep haven’t been kind to poor Kuro, the creature type has remained iconic. Like they have been since <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord of the Pit" href="#" target="_blank">Lord of the Pit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in <em>Alpha</em>, Demons are huge flying creatures based in black. Over the years, however, they’ve been released from the shackles of drawbacks to become truly terrifying!</p>
<h2>Notable Demons for Ardyn, the Usurper</h2>
<p>Ardyn is not a Demon, nor does he meet many of the requirements of a Demon, outside of a high mana value and a whole lot of black color pips. What Ardyn <em>does</em> do, however, is give Demons a host of keywords: menace, lifelink, and haste. He also reanimates creatures of any type from our graveyard as 5/5 black Demons (which, of course, get all the keywords he provides).</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ardyn, the Usurper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ob Nixilis, Unshackled"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Valgavoth, Terror Eater"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vilis, Broker of Blood"></div></div></p>
<p>We want our Demons to be big creatures that dominate the board and provide large chunks of flying damage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rune-Scarred Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Rune-Scarred Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a big, beefy brawler that battles above the clouds, but the best aspect of this bruiser is that he brings along a buddy. With all the different jobs Demons can do, he’s a veritable swiss army knife!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonlord Belzenlok"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rot-Curse Rakshasa"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rune-Scarred Demon"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harvester of Souls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Great Unclean One"></div></div></p>
<p>One of my favorite Demons is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodgift Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodgift Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a medium-sized flying threat that gives a mini-<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to any player each upkeep. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Arena" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Arena</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is still potent, and one attached to a large flyer is fairly good. Even better, though, is the political aspect. If someone else needs cards to catch up we can give them some, and it can also deal the final point of damage in a pinch!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Plague Drone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodgift Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodletter of Aclazotz"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sower of Discord"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Despair"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desecration Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Desecration Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> used to dominate <em>Return to Ravnica</em> Standard, and it’s still a cheap political threat that gets better as the game goes on. While it appears to be an above-rate flyer, it gets better in the context of a Demon deck. By itself, it forces opponents to choose between letting him grow and sacrificing a creature to tap him down and grow him. Some decks will have spare bodies, but most will have to make a tough call; even those who can regularly pay the sac tax will eventually have to pay the piper once our other removal goes online.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Burning-Rune Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lord of the Void"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Razaketh, the Foulblooded"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Venomcrawler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Desecration Demon"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abhorrent Overlord" href="#" target="_blank">Abhorrent Overlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is our equivalent to Gary (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gray Merchant of Asphodel" href="#" target="_blank">Gray Merchant of Asphodel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). Maybe we should call her Abby. Would that catch on? Let me know in the comments below! Regardless, the Overlord gives us a host of Harpies equal to our devotion to black, which should be quite high. While not quite the game-ending big bang shot of Gary, Abby gives us enough power to close games out in one or two big, evasive swings.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demon of Wailing Agonies"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reiver Demon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abhorrent Overlord"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demon of Loathing"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kothophed, Soul Hoarder"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the more instantly impactful Demons on a game of Commander is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Believe it or not, the most dangerous aspect of this card isn’t a word or a number: it’s a punctuation mark. The colon between the phrase “Pay 2 life” and “Surveil 2” means that we can pay any amount of life in increments of two to stack our topdeck and load up the graveyard. We can even set up the reanimation of powerful creatures.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Doom Whisperer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demon of Dark Schemes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nightmare Shepherd"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rakshasa Debaser"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Sovereign"></div></div></p>
<h2>Cards for Demon Typal Strategies</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana&#039;s Contract" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana&#039;s Contract</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of the more powerful pieces of typal technology any creature type has access to. Even in a deck without Demons, four Changelings can facilitate the alternate win condition. Since the deck is packed with them, fulfilling the condition is nice and easy.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Liliana&#039;s Contract"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Speaker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Counsel"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Living Death"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whip of Erebos"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the aspects of Demons in popular culture is that they're closely tied to death, making them incredibly difficult to put down once and for all. Reanimation spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Animate Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Animate Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> epitomize this, although perhaps the scariest and deadliest reanimation spell in <em>Magic</em> is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Return" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, castable from the graveyard without paying any mana, combining perfectly with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>’s graveyard loading to bin the threat and the reanimation spell without paying a single mana.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dread Return"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Demonic Covenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Animate Dead"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haunting Voyage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bringer of the Last Gift"></div></div></p>
<h2>Demon Ramp</h2>
<p>One of the major downsides of Demons is their high casting cost. Rituals can help pay costs beyond the amount of mana we have, but we start to feel the aftereffects later when removal starts to catch up. Foretelling Demons with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dream Devourer" href="#" target="_blank">Dream Devourer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps us to control how wide and how quickly our board develops, letting us play around removal and pressure just enough to provoke responses.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Ritual"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dream Devourer"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Cellarspawn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abyssal Harvester"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bontu&#039;s Monument" href="#" target="_blank">Bontu&#039;s Monument</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another cost reducer, this time coming with a repeated source of card advantage. Each creature we create comes with a mini-<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, just like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodgift Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodgift Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, helping us find more creatures and dig deeper and deeper for the pieces we need to close out the game.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Herald&#039;s Horn"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Urza&#039;s Incubator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sol Ring"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bontu&#039;s Monument"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jet Medallion"></div></div></p>
<h2>Removal Spells for Ardyn</h2>
<p>Demons are warped and twisted minds, thriving on asserting their power over the living. This is shown in their propensity for forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures rather than using targeted destruction. After all, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Doom Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Doom Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is more likely to answer the specific threat, making the opponent choose between their favorite creatures with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Depravity" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Depravity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is so much more delicious!</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archfiend of Depravity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reaper from the Abyss"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Indulgent Tormentor"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overseer of the Damned"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Withering Torment"></div></div></p>
<p>While spot removal might not be the Demon's way, sometimes it is necessary. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Grasp" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Grasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feed the Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Feed the Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are some of the rare bits of enchantment removal in mono-black, although some say that they're color pie breaks. Here, however, they're necessary bits of removal for permanents we can’t easily answer.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Grasp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Feed the Swarm"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Dominance"></div></div><br />
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shadowgrange Archfiend"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pestilence Demon"></div></div></p>
<h2>Ardyn, the Usurper Commander Deck List</h2>
<p>Here's our list:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Ardyn, the Usurper Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ardyn, the Usurper
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Abhorrent Overlord
*1 Abyssal Harvester
*1 Ancient Cellarspawn
*1 Archfiend of Depravity
*1 Archfiend of Despair
*1 Blood Speaker
*1 Bloodgift Demon
*1 Bloodletter of Aclazotz
*1 Bringer of the Last Gift
*1 Burning-Rune Demon
*1 Demon of Dark Schemes
*1 Demon of Loathing
*1 Demon of Wailing Agonies
*1 Demonlord Belzenlok
*1 Desecration Demon
*1 Doom Whisperer
*1 Dream Devourer
*1 Great Unclean One
*1 Harvester of Souls
*1 Indulgent Tormentor
*1 Infernal Sovereign
*1 Kothophed, Soul Hoarder
*1 Lord of the Void
*1 Nightmare Shepherd
*1 Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
*1 Overseer of the Damned
*1 Pestilence Demon
*1 Plague Drone
*1 Rakshasa Debaser
*1 Razaketh, the Foulblooded
*1 Reaper from the Abyss
*1 Reiver Demon
*1 Rot-Curse Rakshasa
*1 Rune-Scarred Demon
*1 Shadowgrange Archfiend
*1 Sower of Discord
*1 Valgavoth, Terror Eater
*1 Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire
*1 Venomcrawler
*1 Vilis, Broker of Blood
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Animate Dead
*1 Demonic Covenant
*1 Liliana&#039;s Contract
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Demonic Counsel
*1 Dread Return
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Haunting Voyage
*1 Kindred Dominance
*1 Living Death
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bontu&#039;s Monument
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Jet Medallion
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Urza&#039;s Incubator
*1 Whip of Erebos
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Cabal Ritual
*1 Dark Ritual
*1 Infernal Grasp
*1 Withering Torment
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*40 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Final Thoughts on Ardyn, the Usurper Demon Typal</h2>
<p>Demons are large black flyers, and Ardyn helps make them ever more dangerous and threatening. They do a variety of jobs, from drawing cards to forcing opponents to sacrifice their own creatures. Sometimes they're a little slow at contributing to the board, but there are cost reducers to help with that, and they've been power crept in a definitive way!</p>


Building a Demon Typal Deck with Ardyn, the Usurper

Revival Trance Precon Guide - Final Fantasy

Secret Lair X Final Fantasy: Three New Drops Revealed

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast &amp; Square Enix</h6>
<p>On Tuesday, May 13th, Wizards of the Coast revealed some new promotional cards during their WeeklyMTG stream on <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/magic">Twitch</a>. They also showcased a new card from the main <em>Final Fantasy</em> set. While the new card is in the main set, you can obtain the promos by attending various events or opening certain products from the release. But let's not dally further; here are those new cards!</p>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy</em> Promo Cards</h2>
<p>First off, let's look at the promo cards associated with the new set. The first is the Buy-A-Box promo!</p>
<div id="attachment_152592" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/heralds-horn-Buy-A-Box.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152592" class="wp-image-152592" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/heralds-horn-Buy-A-Box.png" alt="Herald's Horn, the Buy-A-Box promo from Final Fantasy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/heralds-horn-Buy-A-Box.png 366w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/heralds-horn-Buy-A-Box-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152592" class="wp-caption-text">Herald's Horn, the Buy-A-Box promo from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>The next promotional cards are obtainable through attending and even doing well in various events.</p>
<h3>Commander Party</h3>
<div id="attachment_152593" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/culling-ritual-Commander-Party.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152593" class="wp-image-152593" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/culling-ritual-Commander-Party.png" alt="Culling Ritual, a Commander Party promo from Final Fantasy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/culling-ritual-Commander-Party.png 429w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/culling-ritual-Commander-Party-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152593" class="wp-caption-text">Culling Ritual, a Commander Party promo from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152594" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/despark-Commander-Party.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152594" class="wp-image-152594" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/despark-Commander-Party.png" alt="Despark, another Commander Party promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/despark-Commander-Party.png 429w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/despark-Commander-Party-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152594" class="wp-caption-text">Despark, another Commander Party promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Pro Tour Qualifiers</h3>
<div id="attachment_152595" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aerith-gainsborough-ptq-autumn.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152595" class="wp-image-152595" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aerith-gainsborough-ptq-autumn.png" alt="Aerith Gainsborough, a Pro Tour Qualifier promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aerith-gainsborough-ptq-autumn.png 390w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aerith-gainsborough-ptq-autumn-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152595" class="wp-caption-text">Aerith Gainsborough, a Pro Tour Qualifier promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152596" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tifa-lockhart-ptq-summer.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152596" class="wp-image-152596" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tifa-lockhart-ptq-summer.png" alt="Tifa Lockhart, another Pro Tour Qualifier promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tifa-lockhart-ptq-summer.png 390w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tifa-lockhart-ptq-summer-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152596" class="wp-caption-text">Tifa Lockhart, another Pro Tour Qualifier promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Event Promo</h3>
<div id="attachment_152597" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/joshua-rosfield-rograkh-son-of-rohgahh-Event-Promo.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152597" class="wp-image-152597" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/joshua-rosfield-rograkh-son-of-rohgahh-Event-Promo.png" alt="Joshua Rosfield, a reskin of Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh. An event promo for CommandFest and other events. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/joshua-rosfield-rograkh-son-of-rohgahh-Event-Promo.png 429w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/joshua-rosfield-rograkh-son-of-rohgahh-Event-Promo-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152597" class="wp-caption-text">Joshua Rosfield, a reskin of Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh. An event promo for CommandFest and other events. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Store Championships</h3>
<div id="attachment_152598" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/prophetic-beginning-preordain-Store-Championship-Participation.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152598" class="wp-image-152598" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/prophetic-beginning-preordain-Store-Championship-Participation.png" alt="Prophetic Beginning, a reskin of Preordain. Obtained for participating in a Final Fantasy Store Championship event. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/prophetic-beginning-preordain-Store-Championship-Participation.png 429w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/prophetic-beginning-preordain-Store-Championship-Participation-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152598" class="wp-caption-text">Prophetic Beginning, a reskin of Preordain. Obtained for participating in a <em>Final Fantasy</em> Store Championship event. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152599" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diabolos-Guardian-Force-Deaths-Shadow-Store-Championships-Top-8.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152599" class="wp-image-152599" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diabolos-Guardian-Force-Deaths-Shadow-Store-Championships-Top-8.png" alt="Diabolos, Guardian Force, a reskin of Death's Shadow. Obtained for placing among the Top 8 competitors in a Final Fantasy Store Championship event. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diabolos-Guardian-Force-Deaths-Shadow-Store-Championships-Top-8.png 390w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diabolos-Guardian-Force-Deaths-Shadow-Store-Championships-Top-8-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152599" class="wp-caption-text">Diabolos, Guardian Force, a reskin of Death's Shadow. Obtained for placing among the Top 8 competitors in a <em>Final Fantasy</em> Store Championship event. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152600" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bhujerba-Floating-City-City-of-Brass-Store-Championships-Winner.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152600" class="wp-image-152600" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bhujerba-Floating-City-City-of-Brass-Store-Championships-Winner.png" alt="Bhujerba, Floating City, a reskin of City of Brass. Obtained for winning a Final Fantasy Store Championship event. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bhujerba-Floating-City-City-of-Brass-Store-Championships-Winner.png 390w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bhujerba-Floating-City-City-of-Brass-Store-Championships-Winner-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152600" class="wp-caption-text">Bhujerba, Floating City, a reskin of City of Brass. Obtained for winning a Final Fantasy Store Championship event. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<h3>Standard Showdown</h3>
<div id="attachment_152601" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Squall-SeeD-Mercenary-Standard-Showdown.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152601" class="wp-image-152601" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Squall-SeeD-Mercenary-Standard-Showdown.png" alt="Squall, SeeD Mercenary, a Standard Showdown promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Squall-SeeD-Mercenary-Standard-Showdown.png 390w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Squall-SeeD-Mercenary-Standard-Showdown-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152601" class="wp-caption-text">Squall, SeeD Mercenary, a Standard Showdown promo. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152602" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Standard-Showdown.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152602" class="wp-image-152602" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Standard-Showdown.png" alt="Ultima, a Standard Showdown promo. Also in the main Final Fantasy set. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Standard-Showdown.png 390w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Standard-Showdown-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152602" class="wp-caption-text">Ultima, a Standard Showdown promo. Also in the main <em>Final Fantasy</em> set. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>Notably, that last promo, Ultima, is a newly previewed card from the main set. Thanks for showing that one off, WeeklyMTG!</p>
<h2>Ultima, Origin of Oblivion</h2>
<p>Speaking of Ultima, a card somewhat sharing its name is the other reveal that was shown off during today's stream. Ultima, Origin of Oblivion is another neat card in the main set. Let's take a look!</p>
<div id="attachment_152603" style="width: 409px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-main-set.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152603" class="wp-image-152603" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-main-set.png" alt="Ultima, Origin of Oblivion, a new card from Final Fantasy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="399" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-main-set.png 389w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-main-set-214x300.png 214w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152603" class="wp-caption-text">Ultima, Origin of Oblivion, a new card from Final Fantasy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152604" style="width: 409px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Extended-Art.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152604" class="wp-image-152604" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Extended-Art.png" alt="The extended art version of Ultima, Origin of Oblivion. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="399" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Extended-Art.png 389w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Extended-Art-214x300.png 214w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152604" class="wp-caption-text">The extended art version of Ultima, Origin of Oblivion. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152605" style="width: 409px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Woodblock-Borderless.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152605" class="wp-image-152605" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Woodblock-Borderless.png" alt="The woodblock borderless version of Ultima, Origin of Oblivion. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="399" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Woodblock-Borderless.png 389w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ultima-Origin-of-Oblivion-Woodblock-Borderless-214x300.png 214w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152605" class="wp-caption-text">The woodblock borderless version of Ultima, Origin of Oblivion. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>Just look at that woodblock borderless showcase version! This is a very cool nod for any fan of <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em>.</p>
<h2>Ultimately, Interesting Previews</h2>
<p>As it were, WeeklyMTG showed us some amazing cards and treatments on Tuesday. And what's even better is, this was one of three streams that they'll be showcasing new cards! Stay tuned for more as those streams air and preview news develops.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, how do you feel about these cards? Do they make you want to join in on events for this season of play? Sound off below!</p>


Final Fantasy: Ultima, Promos Revealed On WeeklyMTG Stream

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image credits: Wizards of the Coast &amp; Square Enix</em></p>
<p>On Monday, May 12th, <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> revealed all four of the <em>Final Fantasy</em> precon decklists for Commander. The four decks are fairly interesting, from the new cards to their reprints, all printed in an in-universe theme. But what cards are particularly powerful in these decks? What reprints make these decks worth getting? Read on, and we'll help with that.</p>
<h2><em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em>'s New Commander Cards</h2>
<p>To kick this off, there are a few things you'll need to know. First off, there are four distinct Commander precons in this release. These have an MSRP of $69.99. However, there is also a set of "Collector's Edition" precons, each of which has an MSRP of $149.99. These collector items are the same as the standard-issue precons, just with a fully foiled-out deck. They're also likely to be extremely sought-after and hard to find, and when they're bought out, resellers may sell them at inflated markups.</p>
<p>However, it's not our purview to discuss markups. You came here to read up on the precons themselves, and so that's what we will talk about from here on!</p>
<h2>The Decks</h2>
<p>The four <em>Final Fantasy</em> preconstructed decks each represent one of four games from the mainline 16-game series. Let's go over each!</p>
<h3>Revival Trance</h3>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13106730/revival_trance_final_fantasy_commander"><em>Revival Trance</em></a> is a white-black-red deck that represents <em>FFVI</em>. It runs a reanimation strategy seeking to fill your graveyard while reaping value from it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Terra, Herald of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Terra, Herald of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the face commander of <em>Revival Trance</em>, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Celes, Rune Knight" href="#" target="_blank">Celes, Rune Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is its featured commander (or backup commander, though <em>Wizards</em> now uses this new nomenclature).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Revival Trance - Final Fantasy Commander" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Terra, Herald of Hope
[/Commander]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Foreboding Ruins
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Geothermal Bog
*1 Graven Cairns
*1 High Market
*1 Isolated Chapel
*3 Mountain
*1 Nomad Outpost
*1 Path of Ancestry
*4 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sacred Peaks
*1 Shadowblood Ridge
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Sulfurous Springs
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*3 Swamp
[/Lands]
[Creatures]
*1 Angel of the Ruins
*1 Anger
*1 Archfiend of Depravity
*1 Banon, the Returners&#039; Leader
*1 Celes, Rune Knight
*1 Combustible Gearhulk
*1 Cyan, Vengeful Samurai
*1 Edgar, Master Machinist
*1 Flayer of the Hatebound
*1 Gau, Feral Youth
*1 General Leo Cristophe
*1 Gogo, Mysterious Mime
*1 Interceptor, Shadow&#039;s Hound
*1 Kefka, Dancing Mad
*1 Locke, Treasure Hunter
*1 Meteor Golem
*1 Millikin
*1 Mog, Moogle Warrior
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Palace Jailer
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Priest of Fell Rites
*1 Ruin Grinder
*1 Sabin, Master Monk
*1 Sepulchral Primordial
*1 Setzer, Wandering Gambler
*1 Shadow, Mysterious Assassin
*1 Siegfried, Famed Swordsman
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Stitcher&#039;s Supplier
*1 Strago and Relm
*1 Summon: Esper Valigarmanda
*1 Sun Titan
*1 The Warring Triad
*1 Umaro, Raging Yeti
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Bedevil
*1 Big Score
*1 Crackling Doom
*1 Espers to Magicite
*1 Laughing Mad
*1 Mortify
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Coin of Fate
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Key to the City
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Phoenix Down
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
*1 The Falcon, Airship Restored
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Legions to Ashes
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Reanimate
*1 Rejoin the Fight
*1 Rise of the Dark Realms
*1 Ruinous Ultimatum
*1 Snort
*1 Stitch Together
*1 Tragic Arrogance
[/Sorceries]"></span></div>
<h3>Limit Break</h3>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13106990/limit_break_final_fantasy_commander"><em>Limit Break</em></a> is a white-red-green deck representing <em>FFVII</em>. It focuses on "go-tall" strategies to put Equipment on your creatures to get them to at least seven power. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud, ex-SOLDIER" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud, ex-SOLDIER</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is its face commander, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tifa, Martial Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Tifa, Martial Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is its featured commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Limit Break - Final Fantasy Commander" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Cloud, Ex-SOLDIER
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerith, Last Ancient
*1 Armory Automaton
*1 Avalanche of Sector 7
*1 Barret Wallace
*1 Barret, Avalanche Leader
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Bronze Guardian
*1 Bugenhagen, Wise Elder
*1 Cait Sith, Fortune Teller
*1 Cid, Freeflier Pilot
*1 Elena, Turk Recruit
*1 Heidegger, Shinra Executive
*1 Helitrooper
*1 Hellkite Tyrant
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Professor Hojo
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Red XIII, Proud Warrior
*1 Sephiroth, Fallen Hero
*1 Summon: Kujata
*1 Tifa, Martial Artist
*1 Vincent, Vengeful Atoner
*1 Yuffie, Materia Hunter
*1 Zack Fair
[/Creatures]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Bonders&#039; Enclave
*1 Brushland
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fire-Lit Thicket
*3 Forest
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Game Trail
*1 Jungle Shrine
*1 Mossfire Valley
*3 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*3 Plains
*1 Radiant Grove
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sacred Peaks
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Slayers&#039; Stronghold
*1 Spire of Industry
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Wooded Ridgeline
[/Lands]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cultivate
*1 Decimate
*1 Harmonize
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Secret Rendezvous
*1 Ultimate Magic: Meteor
*1 Unfinished Business
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Vanquish the Horde
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Behemoth Sledge
*1 Champion&#039;s Helm
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Conformer Shuriken
*1 Conqueror&#039;s Flail
*1 Darksteel Plate
*1 Explorer&#039;s Scope
*1 Hero&#039;s Blade
*1 Hero&#039;s Heirloom
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Summoning Materia
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Trailblazer&#039;s Boots
*1 Wrecking Ball Arm
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Cloud&#039;s Limit Break
*1 Dispatch
*1 Lifestream&#039;s Blessing
*1 Ultimate Magic: Holy
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Furious Rise
*1 SOLDIER Military Program
[/Enchantments]"></span></div>
<h3>Counter Blitz</h3>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13107079/counter_blitz_final_fantasy_commander"><em>Counter Blitz</em></a> is a white-blue-green deck that features the characters and story of <em>FFX</em>. This deck wants to put counters on permanents, then move those counters around for value. The face commander of is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tidus, Yuna&#039;s Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Tidus, Yuna&#039;s Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, while its featured commander is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuna, Grand Summoner" href="#" target="_blank">Yuna, Grand Summoner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Counter Blitz - Final Fantasy Commander" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Tidus, Yuna&#039;s Guardian
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Altered Ego
*1 Auron, Venerated Guardian
*1 Bane of Progress
*1 Chasm Skulker
*1 Chocobo Knights
*1 Duskshell Crawler
*1 Fathom Mage
*1 Forgotten Ancient
*1 Gatta and Luzzu
*1 Generous Patron
*1 Grateful Apparition
*1 Gyre Sage
*1 Incubation Druid
*1 Kimahri, Valiant Guardian
*1 Lord Jyscal Guado
*1 Lulu, Stern Guardian
*1 Luminous Broodmoth
*1 Maester Seymour
*1 O&#039;aka, Traveling Merchant
*1 Rampant Rejuvenator
*1 Rikku, Resourceful Guardian
*1 Scholar of New Horizons
*1 Shelinda, Yevon Acolyte
*1 Sin, Unending Cataclysm
*1 Summon: Ixion
*1 Summon: Magus Sisters
*1 Summon: Valefor
*1 Summon: Yojimbo
*1 Sunscorch Regent
*1 Tireless Tracker
*1 Tromell, Seymour&#039;s Butler
*1 Wakka, Devoted Guardian
*1 Walking Ballista
*1 Yuna, Grand Summoner
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Destroy Evil
*1 Endless Detour
*1 Inspiring Call
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Protection Magic
*1 Pull from Tomorrow
*1 Yuna&#039;s Whistle
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Blitzball Stadium
*1 Everflowing Chalice
*1 Sol Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Brushland
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Flooded Grove
*3 Forest
*1 Forge of Heroes
*1 Fortified Village
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*1 Idyllic Beachfront
*3 Island
*1 Nesting Grounds
*1 Overflowing Basin
*1 Path of Ancestry
*3 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Radiant Grove
*1 Seaside Citadel
*1 Skycloud Expanse
*1 Sungrass Prairie
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Tangled Islet
*1 Temple of Enlightenment
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Temple of Plenty
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
[/Lands]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bred for the Hunt
*1 Fight Rigging
*1 Hardened Scales
*1 Inexorable Tide
*1 Path of Discovery
*1 Resourceful Defense
*1 Sphere Grid
*1 Summoner&#039;s Sending
*1 Together Forever
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Collective Effort
*1 Damning Verdict
*1 Farewell
*1 Farseek
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Three Visits
*1 Yuna&#039;s Decision
[/Sorceries]"></span></div>
<h3>Scions &amp; Spellcraft</h3>
<p><a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/13107116/scions_spellcraft_final_fantasy_commander"><em>Scions &amp; Spellcraft</em></a> is the final deck in the release. It's a white-blue-black deck that revolves around <em>FFXIV</em>. This deck has a small legendary theme, but overall wants to act as a control-archetype deck that capitalizes on noncreature spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is its face commander, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the featured commander.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Scions &amp; Spellcraft - Final Fantasy Commander" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Archaeomancer&#039;s Map
*1 Astrologian&#039;s Planisphere
*1 Blue Mage&#039;s Cane
*1 Coveted Jewel
*1 Dancer&#039;s Chakrams
*1 Reaper&#039;s Scythe
*1 Relic of Legends
*1 Sage&#039;s Nouliths
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Tome of Legends
*1 White Auracite
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Alisaie Leveilleur
*1 Alphinaud Leveilleur
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness
*1 Baleful Strix
*1 Emet-Selch of the Third Seat
*1 Estinien Varlineau
*1 Fandaniel, Telophoroi Ascian
*1 G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn
*1 Hermes, Overseer of Elpis
*1 Hildibrand Manderville // Gentleman&#039;s Rise
*1 Hraesvelgr of the First Brood
*1 Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare
*1 Krile Baldesion
*1 Lyse Hext
*1 Murderous Rider // Swift End
*1 Papalymo Totolymo
*1 Summon: Good King Mog XII
*1 Tataru Taru
*1 Thancred Waters
*1 Torrential Gearhulk
*1 Urianger Augurelt
[/Creatures]
[Lands]
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Contaminated Aquifer
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Idyllic Beachfront
*3 Island
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Path of Ancestry
*4 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Skycloud Expanse
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Sunken Ruins
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*4 Swamp
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 Underground River
[/Lands]
[Enchantments]
*1 Authority of the Consuls
*1 Bastion of Remembrance
*1 Champions from Beyond
*1 Eye of Nidhogg
*1 Observed Stasis
*1 Propaganda
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Circle of Power
*1 Cleansing Nova
*1 Crux of Fate
*1 Cut a Deal
*1 Exsanguinate
*1 Final Judgment
*1 Lingering Souls
*1 Rite of Replication
*1 Syphon Mind
*1 Vindicate
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Dig Through Time
*1 Into the Story
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Snuff Out
*1 Sublime Epiphany
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Transpose
*1 Void Rend
[/Instants]"></span></div>
<h2>The Best Cards In the Decks</h2>
<p>So, beyond what we've already mentioned, we're going to give players a bit of breathing room regarding newly printed cards from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. The new cards in this release will likely find their place in Commander. However, they're still super fresh, and players will very possibly want to figure out a means to give these cards a home in their decks.</p>
<p>On the flipside, very notably, there are a slew of high-end reprints in these decks, and that's what might be worth talking about at this time.</p>
<p>Some of the stronger reprints in these Commander decks include:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Dark Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Revival Trance)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruinous Ultimatum" href="#" target="_blank">Ruinous Ultimatum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Revival Trance)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Limit Break)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Limit Break)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conqueror&#039;s Flail" href="#" target="_blank">Conqueror&#039;s Flail</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Limit Break)</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> (Limit Break)</li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_152432" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/clever-concealment.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152432" class="wp-image-152432" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/clever-concealment.jpeg" alt="Clever Concealment, from the &quot;Limit Break&quot; Final Fantasy Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/clever-concealment.jpeg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/clever-concealment-215x300.jpeg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/clever-concealment-733x1024.jpeg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152432" class="wp-caption-text">Clever Concealment, from the <em>Limit Break</em> <em>Final Fantasy</em> Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Patron" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Patron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Counter Blitz)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Walking Ballista" href="#" target="_blank">Walking Ballista</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Counter Blitz)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sublime Epiphany" href="#" target="_blank">Sublime Epiphany</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Scions &amp; Spellcraft)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Snuff Out" href="#" target="_blank">Snuff Out</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Scions &amp; Spellcraft)</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Judgment" href="#" target="_blank">Final Judgment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (Scions &amp; Spellcraft)</li>
</ul>
<p>Overall, reprint playability appears to be pretty widespread among the different precons, but in terms of value, Limit Break has this in spades.</p>
<p>All in all, the decks each have something of value to them. Whether you're a reanimator fan, a Voltron aficionado, or a control player, these decks are pretty awesome and have something for pretty much anyone. <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/final-fantasy-commander-decklists" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can find those decklists here.</a></p>
<p>But let's hear what you think. Do you like these precons? Do you think the decks are interesting? And perhaps more importantly, do they capture the spirit of their respective games, and <em>Final Fantasy</em> on the whole? Sound off below! And stay tuned for our full Precon Guides for these decks, coming soon.</p>


Final Fantasy Commander Decklists Revealed

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kefka, Court Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kefka, Court Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by <a href="https://www.yoshitakaamano.com/">Yoshitaka Amano</a></em></p>
<p>When someone asks an expert in the <em>Final Fantasy</em> series about its most detestable villain, Kefka Palazzo will often come to mind. After all, Kefka has committed a vast multitude of crimes that, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YJgM16uaq0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to paraphrase another RPG clown</a>, would make the Geneva Convention look more like "Geneva Suggestions." The role of Court Mage of the Gestahlian Empire and, later, as the God of Magic are, understandably, extremely oppressive titles to hold. Kefka achieves his goals with aplomb and fanfare, often to the chagrin of the protagonists of <em>Final Fantasy VI</em>.</p>
<p>Therefore, it may come as no surprise that this deck tech is almost certain to bring pain and despair to many a table. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kefka, Court Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Kefka, Court Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (and its rear face, Kefka, Ruler of Ruin) is extremely powerful as a commander. This commander wants to do multiple different things, but in a way that allows us to seamlessly pivot from one task to another as needed. By no means is this deck ever <em>not</em> going to be a "group slug" build; the deck wants to oppress the table at every turn. But, at the same time, you ought to have a little fun doing it, right? It's exactly what Lord Kefka would want.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kefka, Court Mage"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Kefka, Court Mage Do?</h2>
<p>Kefka, Court Mage is a legendary Human Wizard. His stats are relatively innocuous for his cost. He's a 4/5 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" 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>, which isn't much to shout about. However, it's his abilities that allow Kefka to shine. On entry and whenever Kefka, Court Mage attacks, each player discards a card, then you get to draw a card for each card type among the discarded cards. For emphasis, this doesn't include subtypes or supertypes, but you'll often draw at least two cards with each resolution of this ability. Such is the way of forced discard!</p>
<p>To transform Kefka into his Ruler of Ruin iteration, you must pay a hefty eight generic mana. However, in addition to transforming Kefka, the ability also forces each opponent to sacrifice a permanent. This could be something as innocuous as a token or as impactful as a land, but that's at the whims of your opponents. Even so, ruination comes forth!</p>
<p>Kefka's rear face, the Ruler of Ruin, is a 5/7 with flying. He's now on rate, even considerably better, for his five-mana cost, but those stats don't make him worth eight. However, his triggered ability, which reads "Whenever an opponent loses life during your turn, you draw that many cards," fully makes up for this.</p>
<h3>A Contrapositive Nekusar?</h3>
<p>At the point where you read the front face of Kefka, you may be thinking to yourself, "This clown seems a <em>lot</em> like <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/nekusar-the-mindrazer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a>!" And to that, I fully agree with you. After all, Kefka also draws you cards, and is built to cater to group slug strategies. But there's something slightly off about this line of thought. To that end, I say Kefka, Court Mage is a contrapositive to Nekusar. By that, I mean they affirmatively complement each other, but are still very different. You <em>could</em> always group them into the same deck, but to achieve similar results, it's actually not necessary.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nekusar, the Mindrazer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arjun, the Shifting Flame"></div></div>
<p>When you pivot over to Kefka, Ruler of Ruin, the commander that ensues does a good job at imitating <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/arjun-the-shifting-flame" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arjun, the Shifting Flame</a>. To an even slightly careless Arjun pilot, one slip-up might spell the difference between drawing your deck and winning, or drawing your deck and losing. The same is true of Kefka, Ruler of Ruin, except we have more fail-safe options to mitigate that possibility. Namely, we have the addition of sacrifice outlets to help us in case Kefka goes a little too mad with draw power. This deck tech doesn't utilize many black sacrifice outlets, but know that you <em>can</em>, and it might make a difference for you.</p>
<h3>Plans Befitting Ruination</h3>
<p>This deck tech will showcase a "group slug" strategy, as mentioned previously. This means affecting opponents in a relatively equal, very net-negative manner. This will be achieved through group discard and punishing card draw for opponents. Additionally, we'll utilize a plethora of triggered abilities that proc off of either draw or self-discard. Finally, when we transform Kefka into his Ruler of Ruin face, we'll aim to win by maximizing the extent of our triggers off card draw.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Kefka, Court Mage</h2>
<p>A few cards make this deck tick exceptionally well. These cards can be divided into three groups:</p>
<h3>#1. Fail-Safes</h3>
<p>Before we get into the fun parts of running this deck, we need to discuss the fail-safes to keep you from losing by your own (literal) hand. Very often, you may find yourself in a situation where you're about to draw too many cards all at once. This is typically a bad situation, but it can be salvaged! For one, we run instant-speed enablers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leyline of Anticipation" href="#" target="_blank">Leyline of Anticipation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="High Fae Trickster" href="#" target="_blank">High Fae Trickster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to ensure we can fix things quickly if they were to go awry.</p>
<p>The solutions themselves include sacrifice outlets, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashnod&#039;s Altar" href="#" target="_blank">Ashnod&#039;s Altar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dimir House Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Dimir House Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in case we need to remove Kefka from the field. They also include cards that halt draw in some fashion, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Obstinate Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Obstinate Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Words of Waste" href="#" target="_blank">Words of Waste</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ormos, Archive Keeper" href="#" target="_blank">Ormos, Archive Keeper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does a really good job of accruing +1/+1 counters instead of drawing in the worst case scenario - an empty library.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Obstinate Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dimir House Guard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ormos, Archive Keeper"></div></div>
<h3>#2. Card Draw Payoffs</h3>
<p>There are plenty of cards in this deck that pay off from drawing cards. For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Locust God" href="#" target="_blank">The Locust God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes a ton of Insect tokens with haste with even one Kefka, Court Mage trigger. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphinx&#039;s Tutelage" href="#" target="_blank">Sphinx&#039;s Tutelage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could mill a player out quite handily in here if you've transformed Kefka. And, quite notably, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychosis Crawler" href="#" target="_blank">Psychosis Crawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starving Revenant" href="#" target="_blank">Starving Revenant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> imitate the old <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-plus-<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curiosity" href="#" target="_blank">Curiosity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combo with Ruler of Ruin on the battlefield.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Starving Revenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sphinx&#039;s Tutelage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Locust God"></div></div>
<h3>#3. Discard Payoffs</h3>
<p>This deck runs various ways to profit off of discard. This applies to opponents' discard, sure, but also self discard. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Waste Not" href="#" target="_blank">Waste Not</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bone Miser" href="#" target="_blank">Bone Miser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work to create versatile and worthwhile situations. Through these scenarios, your opponents will ultimately suffer more than you. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Ifnir" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Ifnir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a straight-up one-sided board wipe if you can freely discard enough cards. And don't even get me started on the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Megrim" href="#" target="_blank">Megrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-style effects in this deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bone Miser"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tergrid, God of Fright"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Waste Not"></div></div>
<p>But special attention should be paid to the key reason this deck is Bracket 3 in letter as well as intent. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tergrid, God of Fright" href="#" target="_blank">Tergrid, God of Fright</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a seriously intimidating card. It will do you absolutely no favors with how oppressive the card is. If you wish to tone the deck down at all, this should feasibly be the first card to consider cutting.</p>
<h2>How Does Kefka, Court Mage Win?</h2>
<p>Kefka, Court Mage wins a typical Commander game in a variety of different ways. One more apparent way is through <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laboratory Maniac" href="#" target="_blank">Laboratory Maniac</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Lab Man is a tried and true method of winning, and it isn't a bad one here. It also doesn't hurt that it can eat spot removal when you can use another method of winning.</p>
<p>Another method to win the game includes using Kefka, Ruler of Ruin to combo with Psychosis Crawler or Starving Revenant. This is a less effective means to win as it requires far more math, especially via Psychosis Crawler. The trajectory goes like this: with Kefka, Ruler of Ruin and Psychosis Crawler in play, when you draw a single card, each opponent loses one life. In a three-opponent game, that means you draw three cards. Psychosis Crawler causes your opponents to each lose three life, for nine life lost in total. You draw nine cards. They each lose nine life. You draw 27. If the next instance of 27 life lost can't defeat them all, you'd best have Ormos or a Lab Man handy. Starving Revenant does similarly, but on a 1-to-1 level of lifeless to draw as opposed to exponential degrees.</p>
<p>But overall, there are plenty of other means with which to win the game. This includes punisher effects and the potential for a go-wide strategy as well. The possibilities are endless!</p>
<h2>Kefka, Court Mage Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Kefka, Court Mage" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Kefka, Court Mage // Kefka, Ruler of Ruin
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Expedition Map
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Bedevil
*1 Fell the Profane // Fell Mire
*1 Forbid
*1 Malakir Rebirth // Malakir Mire
*1 Pongify
*1 Rakdos Charm
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Slip Out the Back
*1 Withering Torment
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Archfiend of Ifnir
*1 Baleful Strix
*1 Bone Miser
*1 Captain Howler, Sea Scourge
*1 Chainer, Nightmare Adept
*1 Davros, Dalek Creator
*1 Dimir House Guard
*1 Fate Unraveler
*1 Glint-Horn Buccaneer
*1 High Fae Trickster
*1 Kederekt Parasite
*1 Laboratory Maniac
*1 Magus of the Jar
*1 Molten Gatekeeper
*1 Nightscape Familiar
*1 Obstinate Familiar
*1 Ormos, Archive Keeper
*1 Psychosis Crawler
*1 Razorkin Needlehead
*1 Sangromancer
*1 Scrawling Crawler
*1 Screaming Nemesis
*1 Starving Revenant
*1 Tergrid, God of Fright // Tergrid&#039;s Lantern
*1 The Locust God
*1 Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls
*1 Warren Soultrader
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Leyline of Anticipation
*1 Liliana&#039;s Caress
*1 Megrim
*1 Sphinx&#039;s Tutelage
*1 Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight
*1 Teferi&#039;s Tutelage
*1 Waste Not
*1 Words of Waste
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Dark Deal
*1 Demonic Counsel
*1 Disrupt Decorum
*1 Ringsight
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Whispering Madness
*1 Windfall
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Blightstep Pathway // Searstep Pathway
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Clearwater Pathway // Murkwater Pathway
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crosis&#039;s Catacombs
*1 Crumbling Necropolis
*1 Drossforge Bridge
*1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Haunted Ridge
*1 Homeward Path
*2 Island
*1 Mistvault Bridge
*1 Mountain
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Raucous Theater
*1 Riverglide Pathway // Lavaglide Pathway
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Seat of the Synod
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Silverbluff Bridge
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sulfurous Springs
*2 Swamp
*1 Thundering Falls
*1 Undercity Sewers
*1 Underground River
*1 Valgavoth&#039;s Lair
*1 Vault of Whispers
*1 Watery Grave
*1 Xander&#039;s Lounge
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The End Comes, Beyond Chaos</h2>
<p>This deck is, in a couple of words, certifiably evil. This is befitting of the good (read: despicable) name of Kefka Palazzo. It provides all manner of strong synergies with draw and discard effects. It's also readily able to pivot strategies to full-send draw payoffs as needed. Much like Kefka himself, this deck is sure to drive your opponents entirely up the wall, each scrambling in many ways to handle their inevitable collective demise. Just don't go dancing mad with too much power, or you'll fall to ruination yourself.</p>
<p>Finally, I hope you liked this deck tech and its diabolical fool of a commander. If you did, consider playing <a href="https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy VI</em></a> for yourself. It's an expansive title and does amazing things for the series at large.</p>


Group-Slugging With Kefka, Court Mage

Final Fantasy: PAX East's Preview Debut, Recapped

A PAX East Interview with Gavin Verhey and the Final Fantasy MTG Design Team

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</h6>
<p>On Friday, May 9th, social media outlets for <em>Final Fantasy</em> revealed a handful of cards in advance of the PAX East preview event. The cards previewed are a <em>FFXIV</em>-themed reprint of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Confidant" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Confidant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the set's iteration of Y'shtola Rhul. Notably, Y'shtola is also a character from <em>FFXIV</em>, who serves as the face commander for one of the precons. Furthermore, this marks a major return for Dark Confidant into the Standard format. But who are these cards representing, and what makes these cards important? Read on and find out!</p>
<h2>Y'shtola Rhul</h2>
<p>Known as "Night's Blessed" and a member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, Y'shtola Rhul is a Miqo'te who is part of the party roster in <em>Final Fantasy</em> <em>XIV</em>. She claims to be 23, but the timelines don't add up in her story. Her life and personality is equally mysterious, with wisdom beyond her years. Y'shtola is a conjurer character with a collected demeanor abut very little patience for disrespect.</p>
<div id="attachment_152172" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Yshtola-Rhul.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152172" class="wp-image-152172" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Yshtola-Rhul.png" alt="Y'shtola Rhul, a new card from the main set of Final Fantasy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Yshtola-Rhul.png 600w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Yshtola-Rhul-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152172" class="wp-caption-text">Y'shtola Rhul, a new card from the main set of <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>In <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>'s context, Y'shtola Rhul is great at flickering your cards into and out of exile, and getting additional effects off of them entering or leaving the battlefield. She can also double your abilities that trigger on your end step. The flicker effect lends itself well to many different creatures' assets, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Peregrine Drake" href="#" target="_blank">Peregrine Drake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Frost Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Frost Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to name but a few. Naturally, when Y'shtola generates a second end step for you, you can flicker a creature once more! The potential for absurd plays is very present here.</p>
<h2>Dark Confidant, <em>Final Fantasy XIV</em>-Style</h2>
<p>According to those in the know, the reprint of Dark Confidant in a style befitting <em>FFXIV</em> is in the form of an Ascian. According to the official <a href="https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/a_realm_reborn/world/#!/threats/content?threats_08"><em>FFXIV</em></a> website, this is how they describe one of these figures:</p>
<blockquote><p>Known also as "Paragons," these malevolent, black-robed figures sow the seeds of conflict across the lands of Eorzea. Just as their faces are concealed by sinister masks, the true motives of the Ascians remain obscured behind veils of secrecy and terror.</p></blockquote>
<p>Spooky, to be sure!</p>
<div id="attachment_152173" style="width: 275px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dark-Confidant-main.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152173" class="wp-image-152173 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dark-Confidant-main.png" alt="Dark Confidant, a reprinted card from Final Fantasy. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix" width="265" height="370" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dark-Confidant-main.png 265w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dark-Confidant-main-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 265px) 100vw, 265px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152173" class="wp-caption-text">Dark Confidant, a reprinted card from <em>Final Fantasy</em>. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix</p></div>
<p>What's even spookier is that this card was an absolute <em>terror</em> in Standard. This card, affectionately known as "Bob" after <em>Magic</em> Invitational winner <strong>Bob Maher</strong> (whose likeness was used for the original illustration), wreaked havoc on <em>Ravnica: City of Guilds</em>-era Standard. What horrors will it portent here when <em>Final Fantasy</em> releases on June 13th? Time will tell.</p>
<p>But now, we open the floor to you, dear readers. Are you excited about these newly revealed <em>Final Fantasy</em> cards? Would you play Standard with Bob running around again? Sound off below!</p>


Final Fantasy Social Media Reveals Y'shtola Rhul And More

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: PAX East</h6>
<p>On Saturday, May 10th, the <em>Final Fantasy</em> preview season officially kicks off! Notably, a preview panel at PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts, showcases the first round of previews for the new Universes Beyond set. As such, we will recap it as the cards begin to roll in. You can find this stream on <a href="http://twitch.tv/magic"><em>Magic</em>'s Twitch channel</a> between noon and 2 pm Eastern time. But what do we expect to see when the panel gets underway? Read on!</p>
<h2>What <em>Final Fantasy</em> Previews Will We See?</h2>
<p>At this time, PAX East is already well underway. In fact, one of our writers, <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/cooper-gottfried"><strong>Cooper Gottfried</strong></a>, is already on the scene.</p>
<p>Images from the convention have already begun to circulate around social media. We have seen oversized teasers of cards featuring <em>Final Fantasy</em> characters, both beloved and notorious alike. We have even seen images of a Chocobo wearing costuming that resembles <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra Nalaar" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra Nalaar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s clothing. Truly, the collaboration is now in full swing.</p>
<div id="attachment_152160" style="width: 429px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152160" class="wp-image-152160" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-scaled.jpg" alt="The statue of &quot;Chocobo, Awakened Inferno&quot; from the play area of PAX East. Photo credit: Cooper Gottfried" width="419" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-225x300.jpg 225w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/chocobo-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152160" class="wp-caption-text">The statue of "Chocobo, Awakened Inferno" from the play area of PAX East. Photo credit: <strong>Cooper Gottfried</strong></p></div>
<p>As for the question posed above, you'll have to wait for tomorrow's panel to get a first look at the cards previewed therein. Alternatively, we will have a panel recap ready for you tomorrow after 2 pm as well. Stay tuned for this development!</p>
<div id="attachment_152127" style="width: 755px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152127" class="wp-image-152127" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-scaled.jpg" alt="A teaser of Cloud, Midgar Mercenary, a card from the upcoming Final Fantasy set. Photo credit: Cooper Gottfried" width="745" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-300x225.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-768x577.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cloud-Midgar-Mercenary-2048x1538.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152127" class="wp-caption-text">A teaser of Cloud, Midgar Mercenary, a card from the upcoming <em>Final Fantasy</em> set. Photo credit: Cooper Gottfried</p></div>
<div id="attachment_152128" style="width: 755px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152128" class="wp-image-152128" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-scaled.jpg" alt="A teaser of Tifa Lockhart, a card from the upcoming Final Fantasy set. Photo credit: Cooper Gottfried" width="745" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-300x225.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-768x577.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifa-Lockhart-2048x1538.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-152128" class="wp-caption-text">A teaser of Tifa Lockhart, a card from the upcoming <em>Final Fantasy</em> set. Photo credit: Cooper Gottfried</p></div>
<h2>More Previews Coming Soon</h2>
<p>As this is only the start of the <em>Final Fantasy</em> preview season, expect to see more and more reveals pop up in various places <em>after</em> PAX East as well. We are so excited that we can hardly contain ourselves, but contain ourselves we must. All things come to those who wait, dear readers. All in good time.</p>
<p>But in the coming hours leading up to the <em>Final Fantasy</em> panel, we'd love to hear from you. What are you most anticipating from the panel? What previews are you most excited about? And how about that darling red Chocobo? Feel free to let us know how you're feeling about all of tomorrow's upcoming excitement in the comments below!</p>


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