<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>


Final Fantasy Panel Livestreams May 10th At PAX East

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


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

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</em></p>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em> is just over a month out from its prerelease. At this time, <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> and <em>Square Enix</em> are rolling out information, but very slowly for many players' tastes. However, the seeming dry spell of information is close to an end. Wizards Play Network, the entity under <em>Wizards</em> that manages tournament play and organizer expectations, has put out details for the prerelease events for the upcoming <em>Universes Beyond</em> set.</p>
<h2>Prerelease Format Details</h2>
<p>As expected, the events are in the Sealed Deck format. This <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">means six packs of <em>Final Fantasy</em> and a prerelease promo, found in the </span>kits. REL is still "casual." Additionally, pairings are still Swiss-style (or, alternatively, Player List only, which suggests players can be freely paired as they wish).</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Scheduling:</strong> Between June 6–12; use the Prerelease scheduling template<br />
<strong>Format:</strong> Sealed Deck<br />
<strong>Rules Enforcement Level:</strong> Casual Recommended<br />
<strong>Pairing Method:</strong> Swiss or Player List Only</p></blockquote>
<h2><em>Final Fantasy</em> Promotional Support</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/prerelease-magic-the-gathering-final-fantasy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wizards Play Network</a> article also includes some details for interesting promotional items for the event.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Promo Support:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Crystal counter d10 spindown – for players who participate in one Prerelease with their Wizards Account</li>
<li>Velvet dice pouch (Prerelease repeat play incentive item) – for players who register and participate in two or more Prerelease events with their Wizards Account</li>
<li>Photoflyer photo tokens (WPN Premium only) – for players participating in a Prerelease event with their Wizards Account</li>
<li><em>Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY</em> Play Boosters Prize Support</li>
</ul>
<p>All promos and promotional materials are available while supplies last.</p></blockquote>
<p>The inclusion of 10-sided dice is <em>very</em> interesting. Notably, <em>Mirrodin Besieged</em> was the last time we had spindown d10s in a given prerelease event. There, they were intended for use as spindown poison markers. Thus, without drawing any extremely specific conclusions, this new "crystal" d10 might imply a mechanical application as well.</p>
<p>Prerelease events run from June 6th-12th, with the official release happening the following day. Amazingly, albeit not as shockingly, <em>Final Fantasy</em> is now <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></a> set to date, and it hasn't even come out yet!</p>
<p>All in all, <em>Final Fantasy</em> is shaping up as a really neat set so far. The cards we've seen are full of flavor both mechanically and lore-wise, and these promotions help immerse players into the worlds that the series holds dear. So now, let's open the floor to you, dear readers. Are you excited? Will you be attending a prerelease event or buying any product from the set? Sound off below!</p>


Wizards Play Network Adds Final Fantasy Prerelease Details

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Final Fantasy set cards | art copyright Wizards of the Coast</h6>
<p>With <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/final-fantasy"><em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em></a> less than ten weeks away, teams at Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix are gearing up for the launch of an ambitious collaboration.</p>
<p>An interview between one outlet and two major figures at Wizards gives us more insights into the process behind this collaboration and hints of what the future may bring.</p>
<p>According to the interview with <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/magic-the-gatherings-final-fantasy-set-is-an-expansion-four-years-in-the-making/1100-6529866/">Gamespot</a>, Lead <em>Magic</em> Designer <strong>Gavin Verhey</strong> and Wizards Franchise Vice President <strong>Rebecca Shepard</strong> gave a few interesting anecdotes about this titanic team-up. Here are a few of the major points we gleaned:</p>
<h2>A <em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em> Collaboration Effort</h2>
<p><em>Final Fantasy</em> producer <strong>Shoichi Ichikawa</strong> is a big fan of <em>Magic</em>, as are many members of Square Enix Japan's team. According to Verhey, the team at Square Enix are die-hard <em>Magic</em> players. "[...] One of the team members over there owns a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Lotus" href="#" target="_blank">Black Lotus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These are serious Magic players." Shepard corroborated this and added, "Almost every relationship we've had has been that way; Bethesda, for example, has weekly games." Naturally, Square Enix's team was thrilled to work with Wizards of the Coast.</p>
<p>During the team-up, weekly, occasionally more frequent, mid-lockdown Zoom calls allowed Wizards and Square Enix to foster their rapport. As it stands, Square Enix Japan's love of <em>Magic</em> seems to echo Wizards of the Coast's love of <em>Final Fantasy</em>.</p>
<h2>On In-Set Representation</h2>
<p>All sixteen <em>Final Fantasy</em> games have "plenty of" in-set representation, albeit with a ton of work needed to calibrate this, according to Verhey. Shepard added, "In [Square Enix's] eyes, no one installment is more important than the other."</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jumbo Cactuar"></div></div>
<p>This proved a challenge regarding the newest Square Enix installment, <a href="https://na.finalfantasyxvi.com/"><em>Final Fantasy XVI</em></a>. <em>FFXVI</em> was going through active development simultaneously with <em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em>, and designers had to make promises not to give each other plot spoilers.</p>
<p>Said Verhey, "When [<em>FFXVI</em>] finally launched, there was a week when the four main designers agreed we wouldn't spoil anything for each other, but we'd post what was happening in our chat as we're going saying, 'This should be a card!'"</p>
<p>For the game attributions on the credit lines of cards, Verhey explains</p>
<blockquote><p>"We then realized that this is another fun storytelling moment--where a player can say, 'I know this, let me tell you where it's from'--and a little indicator on the card that tells you what game it's from can inspire someone to go and look up what was happening there. We thought it was a great little touch; here's the game the card is from, go find out more or ask a friend about it."</p></blockquote>
<h2>Are All The Concepts Present?</h2>
<p>The answer to the question " Will everyone be present in the set?" comes with some disclosure-based baggage at this time. "I'm not going to say who is or isn't there, but it's pretty safe to guess that if you're a major hero or antagonist from a game, there's a good chance you have a spot in the set," said Verhey when asked about what characters would show up. However, the set doesn't necessarily have all the series' party members.</p>
<p>That said, many super-obvious nods will likely be in <em>MTGFIN</em>. Triple Triad (the in-universe collectible card game) is unconfirmed, but Verhey has mentioned his team's awareness of its popularity.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Shiva"></div></div>
<p>Summons, a major <em>Final Fantasy</em> series conceptual staple, proved less of a challenge to the design team. Summon spells were originally designed with vanishing, but were later turned into Sagas with the team's unanimous agreement.</p>
<p>Five double-faced "Sidequest" cards exist within the set, according to the interview.</p>
<h2>On Further Design Innovations</h2>
<p>Wizards of the Coast also spoke on their "Through The Ages" subset of cards. This is comprised of all reprints from Magic's history. Beyond this, the subset will depict concept art and scenes from Final Fantasy's history. Square Enix personally provided these concept images to Wizards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Copper Dragon|FCA|12"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|FCA|60"></div></div>
<p>Another major win for the set came in the form of <strong>Yoshitaka Amano</strong> and <strong>Tetsuya Nomura</strong>'s involvement. The two were even involved with this set's creation, according to Gamespot.</p>
<p>However, those involvements will largely remain a surprise for now. Amano did the art for Dragon of Mount Gulg (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancient Copper Dragon|FCA|12" href="#" target="_blank">Ancient Copper Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) while Nomura did the art for Yuffie Kisaragi (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow|FCA|60" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>).</p>
<h2>What Does The Future Hold?</h2>
<p>As for the future, Square Enix collaborations may indeed happen. This may be the first time the two sides have collaborated, but it may not be the last.</p>
<p><em>Universes Beyond</em> partnerships can be upwards of seven years long. "Universes Beyond partnerships can be five-, six-, sometimes seven-year relationships depending on the pipeline," according to Shepard. With the two teams just four years in, we may get even more Square Enix <em>Universes Beyond</em> cards in <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>Furthermore, does this mean we are getting something like a <a href="https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/games/chrono-trigger"><em>Chrono Trigger</em></a> or <a href="https://dragonquest.square-enix-games.com/"><em>Dragon Quest</em></a> set? We couldn't possibly say. However, with the way Shepard spoke on the collaborative effort, it doesn't appear to be out of the question.</p>
<p>So, these are the main points we've learned from Gavin Verhey and Rebecca Shepard's interview with Gamespot. As it stands currently, <em>Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy</em> is shaping up to be one heck of a cool set. Hopefully, players will be able to be just as hyped for it when it launches on June 13th!</p>


mtgfin

Final Fantasy Panel Livestreams May 10th At PAX East

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

Wizards Play Network Adds Final Fantasy Prerelease Details

Final Fantasy Set A Four-Year Endeavor. Is There More To Come?