Building a Mono-Red Reanimator Deck with Clive, Ifrit's Dominant

Building Sin, Spira's Punishment With No Nonland Permanents

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenos yae Galvus" href="#" target="_blank">Zenos yae Galvus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/mokhman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexander Mokhov</a></em></p>
<p>Previews are now flooding in for <em>Magic's </em>upcoming <em>Universes Beyond - Final Fantasy </em>set. And with new previews comes new monocolored legends to fuel our deckbuilding frenzy here on <em>The Monolith</em>, the EDHREC series where it's all mono, all the time! Today we're delving into the murky swamps of mono-black to play a deck that your opponents are going to absolutely hate. Oh sorry, did I say opponents plural? I meant opponent singular. Introducing the monstrous new legend that'll be leading our deck today, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenos yae Galvus" href="#" target="_blank">Zenos yae Galvus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zenos yae Galvus"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Zenos yae Galvus Do?</h2>
<p>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-b" 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> we get a 4/4 Human Noble Warrior that on entering the battlefield will choose exactly one creature that an opponent controls.</p>
<p>Once your "first friend" is chosen, all other creatures on the battlefield will get hit with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massacre Wurm" href="#" target="_blank">Massacre Wurm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> style -2/-2. Now board wipes in the command zone have always been pretty decent, and very handy. Having repeatable access to a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massacre Girl" href="#" target="_blank">Massacre Girl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't exactly fun and flashy but it can lock down a game of Commander for control minded players.</p>
<h3>Til Death Do Us Part</h3>
<p>But whilst the soft board wipe attached to our commander is cool and all, that's not why we're here. Oh no no no. Because Zenos has a hidden backside with an absolutely bonkers bit of rules text. One that will have Standard players asking, "Why is this even legal in our format?" and will have Commander players asking, "It does what?!"</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards only-back"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zenos yae Galvus"></div></div>
<p>When the enemy creature chosen as part of Zenos' ETB dies, our commander will immediately transform into its reverse side. Shinryu, Transcendent Rival is an 8/8 Dragon with flying that will have us instead choose a player as it transforms. Then, and here's nuts the part, when the chosen player loses the game, we win the game.</p>
<h2>The Game Plan for Zenos yae Galvus</h2>
<p>So the path is clear. In this deck we enter ourselves into mortal combat with one of the other players around the table. Our second and third opponents will no longer matter to us; all we care about is taking one player, and only that player, down. It's a fight to the death!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Compelled Duel"></div></div>
<p>Or at least, that's the most obvious way to build it. It's also the easiest way to completely telegraph your game plan to the rest of the table. And besides, we're playing mono-black. Why be honorable about it? Let's win the game in a far, far sneakier way.</p>
<h2>Whoever Loses, I Win</h2>
<p>Because the player we choose to hinge our efforts on is tied to the transform trigger on Zenos' backside, and because that trigger only comes into effect when our chosen creature leaves the battlefield, we have a horrible secret power up our sleeves: we can win the game on a combat trick.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sneak Attack"></div></div>
<p>In fact, playing Zenos this way is like taking part in a triple threat wrestling match and winning the champ's belt without even pinning them. We can win the game due to someone else's combat damage. We can win the game without even attacking.</p>
<p>Yes I did make this a wrestling reference, I'm sorry I don't know anything about <em>Final Fantasy. </em>That's about as close as I could get. Feel free to provide your own analogy in the comments.</p>
<h3>Trick Shot</h3>
<p>Here's the ideal scenario for winning the game at instant speed with Zenos on board. First, we need to have picked a creature when he entered. The ideal target for this is something that's difficult to kill but we have a spell in hand that can deal with it. For example, an indestructible creature that we can cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Defile" href="#" target="_blank">Defile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barbed Servitor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Defile"></div></div>
<p>That helps to prevent our opponents from killing the creature early, or the creature's controller chump blocking with it, before we're ready to make our choice. We want to be able to transform Zenos at the perfect moment.</p>
<p>Then we're going to wait for an opponent's life to be in danger. Maybe they're about to take more burn than they can handle. Or maybe an opponent is swinging in with a tonne of commander damage that they can't block. That's when we strike.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Booby Trap"></div></div>
<p>Wait until lethal damage is about to resolve and then kill the creature you chose when Zenos entered the battlefield with some instant speed removal. Doesn't matter if they die, bounce, or exile, as Zenos will transform when that creature leaves the battlefield. If it resolves without interference, Zenos will flip and you'll be able to choose the unlucky target as a dance partner, winning you the game as soon as they die.</p>
<h3>Force Their Hand</h3>
<p>The truly bonkers thing about all this is that we can force our opponents to accidentally kill each other using a perfectly timed combat trick. The thing about combat tricks is that most of them don't actually specify that they need to be used on a creature you control. For example, if an opponent is about to take unblocked damage from a creature with at least nine power, we can simply cast this:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tainted Strike"></div></div>
<p>Even when the other players at the table are perfectly aware of what we're up to and decide to swing on the player with the most health, we can add a lethal edge to their attacks with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tainted Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Tainted Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Now, all of a sudden, their nine damage becomes ten poison counters.</p>
<p>And of course we can do this to our own creatures too! If you've got a big trampler to bundle in with (or your opponent does), watch as they hastily assemble a wall of chump blockers to soak up the damage and then whack some instant speed deathtouch onto the creature.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Touch of Moonglove"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alchemist&#039;s Gift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lash of Thorns"></div></div>
<p>The absolute best example is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Touch of Moonglove" href="#" target="_blank">Touch of Moonglove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will not only wipe out every creature with a single point of your trample damage each, but will also drain the blocking player for every blocker that dies in the process. This effectively increases your creature's power by one for every blocker, and then dealing damage as though it were never blocked.</p>
<h2>Backup Options</h2>
<p>Now this is all well and good but we don't want to spend the entire game just sitting around waiting for someone to die. The quickest and most effective way to cause someone to lose the game is to make them lose ourselves. Lucky for us, there's a nice collection of cards in black that do just that.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vorpal Sword"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Primal Odin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Phage the Untouchable"></div></div>
<p>That's right, mono-black is one of the best color identities we can be in if we want to make our opponents straight up lose the game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorpal Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Vorpal Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my favorite dumb artifacts that I've wanted a good home for for a while. The activation is super expensive, but you're only one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rogue&#039;s Passage" href="#" target="_blank">Rogue&#039;s Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> away from slicing down another player for good.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triskaidekaphobia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vraska, Scheming Gorgon"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Strixhaven Stadium"></div></div>
<p>What's extra great about these lose-the-game effects is that they're abilities that will go on the stack. You don't have to reveal your hand until that player is guaranteed to lose the game. Just look out for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stifle" href="#" target="_blank">Stifle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects!</p>
<p>Once it's on the stack, you can hold priority and cast your instant speed kill spell to trigger Zenos. This can be much more effective than using cards like the brand new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Primal Odin" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Primal Odin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card definitely seems like it was printed as an intentional combo piece with Zenos, but it's very telegraphed. The first chapter will achieve your transformation for you. But you'll have to wait a whole other turn for the effect you want on the creature to win the game.</p>
<h3>Consolation Prize</h3>
<p>In general this whole thing is pretty easy to interact with. Someone could hold up removal to kill Zenos. They could play the aforementioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stifle" href="#" target="_blank">Stifle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to counter the transform or "lose the game" effect. Or they could just straight up counter the kill spell in the first place.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stifle"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Murder"></div></div>
<p>The thing is though, even if someone stops us winning the game, it's very likely we're still going to take a player out. If we have to win the old fashioned way, we're still one third of the way there. We can add a few additional payoffs to the situation though, to get the most bang for our kill-bucks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Curse of Vengeance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elbrus, the Binding Blade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sengir, the Dark Baron"></div></div>
<p>These cards aren't exactly slam dunks but they do fit the theme of assassinating our opponents pretty well. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curse of Vengeance" href="#" target="_blank">Curse of Vengeance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> feels like the best of the bunch due to its low cost and insidious nature. The target of the Curse isn't very likely to remove it as it doesn't actually do anything to them until they die. And at that point, who cares? Meanwhile, if we didn't win the game due to their loss, we're flooding our hand and our life points.</p>
<h2>My Last Friend</h2>
<p>If you want to end your EDH games a little bit quicker, or if you like picking one opponent at the table to absolutely bully, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zenos yae Galvus" href="#" target="_blank">Zenos yae Galvus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might be the deck for you. Just be warned that he's going to be an absolute lightning rod for removal. And I can foresee quite a lot of players not enjoying playing against this deck too much!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for reading <em>The Monolith </em>and I'll see you on the next issue for some more monocolored shenanigans. Until then have a lovely day, and why not check out some of these articles from the wonderful writers here at EDHREC.com:</p>
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Ruin a Player's Day With Zenos yae Galvus - Commander Deck Tech

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


Final Fantasy First Look: Zenos yae Galvus

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


Final Fantasy First Look: Shantotto, the Radical Lady

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</h6>
<p>There's always plenty to do at MagicCon events. From professional play, to panels, all the way to Commander pickup games, MagicCon is always a blast for those who join in on the fun. But now, for <a href="https://magic.gg/news/celebrating-final-fantasy-at-magiccon-las-vegas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MagicCon: Las Vegas</a>, there is even more incentive to reserve a spot! The event will, in part, celebrate <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>'s collaboration with <em>Square Enix</em> on <em>Magic: The Gathering's</em> upcoming <em>Final Fantasy</em> set.</p>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy</em>-themed Promo Yoshimaru</h2>
<p>There is a special surprise for fans of <em>FFXVI</em>'s goodest boy. If you attend MagicCon: Las Vegas this year, you will receive a promotional copy of Torgal, Clive's Companion. Torgal is a <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em>-themed reskin of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful" href="#" target="_blank">Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div id="attachment_148993" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148993" class="wp-image-148993" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Torgal-Clives-Companion-mtgxff.webp" alt="Torgal, Clive's Companion, a Final Fantasy XVI-themed reskin of Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful. " width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Torgal-Clives-Companion-mtgxff.webp 646w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Torgal-Clives-Companion-mtgxff-215x300.webp 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><p id="caption-attachment-148993" class="wp-caption-text">Torgal, Clive's Companion, a <em>Final Fantasy XVI</em>-themed reskin of Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful.</p></div>
<p>Attendees of MagicCon: Las Vegas will receive their copy of Torgal alongside their entry badges, making that moment all the more special.</p>
<h2>The Making of <em>MTGxFF</em></h2>
<p>If you're attending on Friday, the convention has a panel that day detailing the behind-the-scenes efforts that allowed <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>'s latest Universes Beyond set to come to fruition.</p>
<blockquote><p>Sixteen FINAL FANTASY games spanning decades. Hundreds of beloved characters. Dozens of unique mechanics. Numerous art styles, tones, locations, animations, stories. How did the designers at Wizards of the Coast combine all of this to give us <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>—FINAL FANTASY? You can learn how at MagicCon: Las Vegas. Hear the stories from behind the scenes on how this monumental <em>Magic</em> set came to be.</p>
<p>Host: <strong>Ben Starr</strong><br />
Panelists: <strong>Daniel Holt</strong>, <strong>Gavin Verhey</strong>, <strong>Dillon Deveney</strong>, and <strong>Zakeel Gordon</strong></p></blockquote>
<h2>Pro Tour: <em>Final Fantasy</em></h2>
<p>Additionally, Pro Tour: <em>Final Fantasy</em> is at MagicCon: Las Vegas this year. Over 300 professional <em>Magic</em> players will compete in Vegas for their piece of a $500,000 prize pool. According to Magic.gg's blurb:</p>
<blockquote><p>With bragging rights, a $500,000 prize pool, and invitations to Pro Tour <em>Edge of Eternities</em> and <i>Magic</i> World Championship 31 on the line, it'll be an action-packed tournament! The formats for this event will be <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>—FINAL FANTASY Booster Draft and Standard Constructed.</p></blockquote>
<p>Players can also watch this event from home via <a href="http://twitch.tv/magic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">twitch.tv/magic</a>. There will also be periodic recaps for event coverage posted on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@play_mtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Play MTG</a> YouTube channel.</p>
<h2>Other MagicCon Attractions in Las Vegas</h2>
<p>There are several other events and attractions at MagicCon: Las Vegas this year. These include:</p>
<h3>Ticketed Play Events</h3>
<p>The ticketed play events for this convention include:</p>
<ul>
<li>a Friday Night Magic 2-Headed Giant Sealed event</li>
<li>the Pro Tour Qualifier, wherein the event is <em>Final Fantasy</em> Sealed</li>
<li>a Commander Party event for <em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em></li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_148994" style="width: 569px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148994" class="wp-image-148994" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves.jpg" alt="A Final Fantasy sleeve, illustrated by Toshitaka Matsuda with a design created by Tetsuya Nomura, to be sold at the Square Enix booth at MagicCon: Las Vegas. " width="559" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves.jpg 2000w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves-300x300.jpg 300w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves-150x150.jpg 150w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves-768x768.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sleeves-1536x1536.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px" /><p id="caption-attachment-148994" class="wp-caption-text">A <em>Final Fantasy</em> sleeve, illustrated by <strong>Toshitaka Matsuda</strong> with a design created by <strong>Tetsuya Nomura</strong>, to be sold at the Square Enix booth at MagicCon: Las Vegas.</p></div>
<h3>A Square Enix Merch Booth</h3>
<p>According to Magic.gg:</p>
<blockquote><p>Find plushies and figurines of iconic FINAL FANTASY characters—plus, be among the first to grab card sleeves featuring official FINAL FANTASY artwork in an advance sale before their retail release later this year!</p></blockquote>
<h3>Game Knights Live</h3>
<p>This fan-favorite event will take place on the Mana Stage on Friday evening. While <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> has vowed not to spoil any surprises, at least one player in the exhibition match will, in fact, have a deck based on a <em>MTGxFF</em> commander.</p>
<h2>Final Notes</h2>
<p>Are you going to MagicCon: Las Vegas? Will you be doing any specific activities while there? If you're familiar with the area, let us and your fellow commenters know what the best haunts are in the area! Sound off below!</p>


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