Magic: The Gathering has recently unveiled an exciting trio of new playing cards from its much-anticipated “Final Fantasy” set, with Variety providing the exclusive first look at the preview images, courtesy of Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast. This collaboration is a significant event for both gaming franchises, promising to merge the rich storytelling and engaging gameplay elements that fans have come to love.

The three newly introduced cards in this collection, developed in partnership with Final Fantasy game creator Square Enix, feature: The Strahl (also known as Smuggler’s Copter), Luka Stadium (identified as Strixhaven Stadium), and Tidus, Zanarkand Fayth. Each card is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring that they resonate with fans of both Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy, providing a unique gameplay experience that highlights the strengths of both franchises.

“The Strahl, also referred to as Smuggler’s Copter, was a card that we wanted to incorporate into this set,” shared Gavin Verhey, the principal designer and set design lead for Magic’s Final Fantasy collection. “During our previews, we highlighted characters Balthier and Fran, who are deeply connected to vehicles, which is their primary mechanic. Although it was challenging to fit the Strahl into the main set, we opted to place it in a bonus sheet, allowing players to enjoy the synergy between Balthier, Fran, and the Strahl together. This connection is a delightful nod to fans, as Smuggler’s Copter carries a legacy within Magic history, making it an exciting addition.”

“Gavin was incredibly respectful when discussing how fans were searching for a spot in the main set — I was one of them,” expressed Dillon Deveney, the principal game designer. “Every day, I thought, ‘We must include this card. It’s iconic to Final Fantasy. Fans adore the sky pirates in the game; their adventures are legendary. Ultimately, Gavin discovered the perfect place on the bonus sheet, allowing us to connect it to Smuggler’s Copter. It’s even more fitting now that we’ve made this connection to Magic. Not only is Smuggler’s Copter a well-known card in Magic history, but it also retains the essence of being associated with sky pirates in the original set. I was thrilled; Gavin truly found my dream card.”

“Thrasios is a fantastic example of a card that we genuinely collaborated on with Square Enix,” Verhey noted. “As we discussed which cards we should incorporate, we sent Square Enix an initial list of ideas for their feedback. They were extremely excited about Thrasios. It’s essential to highlight that this was not just us approaching them; they have a profound love for Magic. We have weekly meetings where they share their thoughts on Magic, and during our visits to the Square Enix offices, we often play Commander or other Magic formats together. Their enthusiasm for cards is contagious, and when we brought up Thrasios, they were thrilled. So, with mutual excitement, it was a no-brainer to include Thrasios in the set.”

“My personal favorite game in the Final Fantasy series is Final Fantasy X,” exclaimed Daniel Holt, senior game designer. “Fans frequently asked, ‘Will there be Blitzball? Will there be the laughing scene?’ The topic of Blitzball kept resurfacing regarding Final Fantasy X, and while some elements will feature in the Commander Deck, many fans, upon learning about this collaboration, specifically inquired, ‘What about Strixhaven Stadium as the Blitzball stadium?’ I was the original designer for Strixhaven Stadium, so I was thrilled to adapt it for my favorite game. This card seamlessly integrates into the deck as it utilizes counters, tying in perfectly with Tidus and other elements, making it a fantastic fit in every conceivable way.”

Scheduled for release on June 13, Magic: The Gathering’s “Final Fantasy” collection will include cards inspired by the sixteen mainline games from the Final Fantasy franchise. In the words of Magic, “Cast powerful spells, summon classic characters, and even traverse your favorite locations riding a chocobo. Countless elements from the games are here for you to craft your own unique narrative!”

According to executive producer Zakeel Gordon, “Magic has had a presence in Japan since 1995. We’ve observed numerous positive market indicators and excitement from our Japanese community regarding distribution and retailers for this intellectual property. We will be launching a couple of special promotions in Japan to celebrate this milestone. Overall, I believe this collaboration is a fantastic development for Japan, but more importantly, it’s about embracing the authenticity of what this represents in that market — particularly in relation to gaming culture history, while also generating global excitement among our players.”