In a groundbreaking collaboration, Wizards of the Coast has unveiled exclusive cards for the Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY crossover set, launching on 13 June 2025. The reveal showcases Sephiroth, reimagined by Tetsuya Nomura as Atraxa, Grand Unifier, alongside multiple iterations of Cloud Strife and his iconic companions.
The centrepiece of this unprecedented partnership features Sephiroth’s card, officially titled “Atraxa Grand Unifier—Sephiroth the Savior.” This masterpiece incorporates Atraxa’s signature abilities—flying, vigilance, deathtouch, and lifelink—whilst maintaining the essence of Sephiroth’s character from the beloved Final Fantasy series.
The collection introduces several renditions of Cloud Strife, each carefully paired with legendary allies from Final Fantasy VII, including Yuffie, Aerith, Barrett, and Tifa. These pairings create unique strategic synergies, offering players various deck-building possibilities that honour the original storylines.
A particularly innovative aspect of the set involves the mechanical interaction between Sephiroth and Aerith cards. The design team has crafted intricate gameplay elements where Sephiroth’s presence triggers sacrifice mechanics, authentically recreating the dramatic narrative from the original game. The “Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER” card exemplifies this through its transformation abilities and creature sacrifice rewards.
This release forms part of the broader Universes Beyond initiative by Wizards of the Coast, which integrates popular intellectual properties into the Magic multiverse. The artistic direction, led by renowned creators Yoshitaka Amano and Tetsuya Nomura, seamlessly blends Final Fantasy’s distinctive aesthetic with Magic: The Gathering’s detailed artistic style.
The collaboration represents a significant milestone in gaming crossovers, offering more than mere aesthetic appeal. The set introduces innovative gameplay mechanics whilst maintaining the strategic depth that Magic: The Gathering players expect, alongside the narrative richness that Final Fantasy fans cherish.
With its imminent release, the set promises to deliver an experience that honours both franchises’ legacies. The careful balance of nostalgic elements with fresh gameplay mechanics positions this collaboration as a potential template for future cross-franchise ventures in the collectible card game space.
News Source: https://hypebeast.com/2025/5/final-fantasy-magic-the-gathering-sephiroth-atraxa-card
