Magic: the Gathering’s upcoming Final Fantasy brings together iconic characters and sccenes from Square Enix’s epic RPG universe, and we’ve got two cards we can reveal exclusively, including one of the series’ most iconic monsters: the Cactuar.
The upcoming Final Fantasy-themed set is just a few weeks away from its wide release, hitting store shelves on June 13th, and it brings together characters, scenes, monsters, and iconic moments from across the sixteen mainline games. We’ve seen many, many of those revealed over the last few weeks, from Final Fantasy XIV’s villain Emet-Selch, Unsundered // Hades, Sorcerer of Eld, Final Fantasy VII’s main antagonist Sephiroth, Fabled Soldier // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel, as well as Final Fantasy XIII’s version of the Jumbo Cactuar, complete with its 10,000 needles skill represented.
The flavor wins are off the charts in this set, reminding me of Magic’s foray into Middle-earth with its Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Universes Beyond set from a few years back. Cards feel like they mechanically represent the characters protrayed as that character was portrayed in-game, whether it’s a card named after them, or simply a spell featuring them.
We see that in our first preview card, featuring the villain of one of the most beloved entries in the series, Kefka from Final Fantasy VI – Light of Judgment.
Light of Judgment – 4R
Instant – Common
Light of Jugment deals 6 damage to target creature. Destroy up to one Equipment attached to that creautre.
“I was there…I saw when Kefka used his Light of Judgment to torch the village of Mobliz, far to the east.” – Tzen resident
This card showcases an iconic moment from the story of Final Fantasy VI, bueatifully illustrated by artist Daniel Landerman. While it’s an expensive instant, it deals quite a bit of damage and has the added benefit of destroying an Equipment on the battlefield attached to that creature while it’s at it. This could come in clutch in a Standard that seems to be rife with Equipment cards thanks to simply how many are being introduced in this set alone, while 6 damage for 5 mana isn’t anything to really slouch at in a pinch.
Our second card is an iconic monster in the Final Fantasy series, with this rendition also highlighting the Final Fantasy VI version, the fast moving and hard to hit Cactuar.
Cactuar – G
3 power/ 3 toughness
Creature – Plant – Uncommon
Trample
At the beginning of your end step, if this creature didn’t enter the battlefield this turn, return it to its owner’s hand.
“A cactus with legs that loves to run hither and thither. Watch out for its thorns!”
I adore this card. For just one Green mana, Cactuar can enter the battlefield and present a powerful threat early with its 3/3 body. If there is a way to give the Cactuar haste, you have the chance to get two attacks out of it before it zooms back to your hand, a feature of the card that keeps it from being taken by your opponent for too long if somehow it gets stolen during a Commander game, for instance. I do love that this feels like a creature that is hard to land a hit on and, when you do, it’s not easy to simply kill. Trample also presents an interesting angle here where if you’re able to buff it up on an early turn with a Giant Growth or similar card, it can wreck havoc on early turns.
