So, I’ve had the chance to play around with FINAL FANTASY a little more, and I’m going to revise my original opinion, slightly: this set is not as underpowered as I had thought. There’s some powerful cards here and cards that could be powerful in brand new archetypes as well. It’s no Lord of the Rings, but it’s also no Kamigawa block, either.
So let’s dig in a little more to some of what this set has to offer.
- Yuna, Hope of Spira: Build-around gold. Plays well with legendary sagas like Summon: Knights of Round and Summon: Primal Odin. Slots into five-color decks or Yorion brews. Feels like Opalescence all over again.
- Joshua, Phoenix’s Dominant: New R/W reanimator angle. Might be too narrow for Constructed but could shine in Goblin brews.
- Kuja, Genome Sorcerer: Damage-doubling fun. Bonus: Dark Confidant is a Wizard.
- The Wandering Minstrel: A Town payoff that pays off nothing. Keep wandering.
- Locke Cole: A nostalgia trip next to Shadowmage Infiltrator, but unlikely to see serious play.
- Ultimecia, Time Sorceress: Extra turns are fun, but this one feels too slow even for Commander.
- Hope Estheim: A U/W lifegain-mill combo piece? Not yet, but maybe someday.
- Squall, SeeD Mercenary: Cool design. Might not make it in Constructed, but great in Commander with recursion loops.
- Summon: G.F. Cerberus: Not to be confused with H.R. Pufnstuf.
- Opera Love Song: Red impulse draw, but not enough time to use the cards. Might be worse than Wrenn’s Resolve.
- Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo: Could rekindle Hammer Time vibes. A nightmare if Colossus Hammer were legal in Standard.
- Suplex: Can’t wait for Leg Drop, Body Slam, and Elbow Drop. WWE fans, stay tuned.
- Prompto Argentum: Sounds like a Harry Potter spell. Pass.
- Ancient Adamantoise: Great reanimator target. Bonus: sweet new portmanteau.
- Traveling Chocobo: Too close to Nadu. I have PTSD.
- Jumbo Cactaur: You will lose to this. And feel bad. And you will deserve it.
- Cactaur: Feels like green Stompy’s weird cousin. Still cute though.
- Quina, Qu Gourmet: Frog tribal? Hop to it! (Sorry.)
- Ride the Shoopuf: Not the worst drug reference, but maybe the weirdest card name in the set.
- Summon: Fat Chocobo: I like big birds and I cannot lie.
- Firion, Wild Rose Warrior: Equipment matters. Again. We get it, Wizards.
- Cecil, Dark Knight: Wizards made the card I dreamed up 20 years ago. I want royalties.
- Jecht, Reluctant Guardian: “If” you connect, he’s incredible. If not… enjoy Alexander the Great trivia.
- Overkill: Finally, a card name that perfectly describes the card.
- Tonberry: Would be great in Zombie tribal—if it were a Zombie. Be glad it isn’t.
- Il Mheg Pixie: Sounds like a Scrabble tile bag exploded. Consult your doctor before use.
- Qiqirn Merchant: Proof I’m not making up the Scrabble theory. Q-without-U chaos reigns.
Final Thoughts
Looks like a fun set. Maybe not overwhelming, but not as underwhelming as I first thought. It’s a perfectly whelming set. And with so much product out there, hopefully getting the cards you want won’t be too hard.