Summary
Magic: The Gatheringhas hosted a series of crossovers, bringing many popular pop-culture universes and other videogames into its cards. One of these partnerships is withFinal Fantasy, recognized as one of the most important JRPG franchises, adding characters and other iconic elements of the series to the trading card game and enabling the collection to celebrate different eras of the franchise, honoring not only the heroes but also other memorable moments.
Thus, among the illustrations and the abilities each card possesses, fans can notice different details, which means that the bestFinal Fantasyreferences onMagic: The Gatheringcards range from classic scenes from the games to more subtle nods, such as certain dialogues to other events. These elements make the collection a true celebration of the franchise, resulting in one of the most interesting crossovers the card game has ever received.
8Starting Town
The Magic Illustration Is A Reference To Final Fantasy’s First City
Even though it is not as recognized orpopular as other iconic videogame locations, Cornelia holds great importance for the entireFinal Fantasyuniverse, because it was the first city players could visit in a game of the franchise and the place where the JRPG’s whole story begins. Here the four Warriors of Light meet the King to receive the mission to rescue the princess kidnapped by Garland.
Therefore, thisUniverses BeyondFinal Fantasycard inMagic: The Gatheringprovides one of the finest references to the franchise precisely because it marks the starting point of the entire series from then on. Although the card Starting Town does not carry the actual name Cornelia, the color pattern and the castle in the background make clear that it depicts the same city.
7Cid, Timeless Artificer
One Of The Most Popular Recurring Characters In Final Fantasy
Even though each numberedFinal Fantasyentry tells a standalone story and usually builds a completely new world for every release, certain elements remain common across these different universes. As a result, several classic creatures of the franchise appear in many games, such as the Chocobos, which debuted in the second title and became one of the series’ main mascots.
Another element introduced inFinal Fantasy2 was the presence of Cid, who has appeared indifferent forms throughout the franchise since then, always sharing a love for engineering. Therefore, one of the best references in thisMagic: The Gatheringset is precisely the card Cid, Timeless Artificer, because each version on it represents one of the incarnations the character has received in the mainline games.
6Zack Fair
Its Ability Relates To One Of The Franchise’s Deepest Moments
Although the art of Zack Fair maintains the overall quality of the illustrations produced by this partnership betweenMagic: The GatheringandFinal Fantasy, the best reference to the games is hidden not in the art but in the ability the card carries. Basically, players can sacrifice the card to grant indestructible to an allied creature along with a piece of equipment Zack Fair once used.
For fans ofFinal Fantasy 7, this is a directreference to the sacrifice Zack Fair makesso that Cloud can stay alive and carry his legacy forward. In the original JRPG, players could witness these events through the protagonist’s memories, but they were explored more deeply in other games, such asCrisis Core, which gave even more weight to the scene.
5Cloud, Ex-SOLDIER
The Character Uses His First Limit Break In The Artwork
One of themain mechanics inFinal Fantasy 7is the Limit Break, a set of special attacks the characters unleash on enemies, which fills up as they take damage or use the ability itself. A small tribute to these unique moves appears in the illustrations the JRPG is receiving forMagic: The Gathering, as shown on the card Cloud, Ex-SOLDIER.
Besides the artwork itself being well produced, the way the character holds the Buster Sword above his head and the explosion in the background match exactly how Cloud performs Braver, the first Limit Break he learns inFinal Fantasy 7. Other elements of the card, such as its in-game mechanics, try to emulate a bit of the character’s agility in combat, adding another interesting reference.
4Secret Rendezvous
The Different Dates Cloud Can Have In Golden Saucer
One of the most relaxing moments in the journey experienced by the characters inFinal Fantasy 7surely comes when they reachGolden Saucer, a dazzling amusement park packed with side activities that let players momentarily escape the troubles weighing on the world. Among these diversions stands the Ferris Wheel ride, in which Cloud can invite various companions, creating a gentle date that contrasts cheerfully with the looming crisis.
Because of that context, the cardSecret RendezvousinMagic: The Gatheringoffers one of the set’s finestFinal Fantasytributes, faithfully reflecting a scene that can feel cute or simply comedic in the seventh entry. Each artwork nods to a companion Cloud might select for the original encounter, Tiffa, Aeris, Barret, or Yuffie, turning a light‑hearted pause in the saga into an affectionate snapshot that fans immediately recognize.
3Commune With Beavers
One Of Final Fantasy’s Most Obscure References Appears In Magic
Within the universe ofFinal Fantasy 2, the phraseGuy Speak Beaveridentifies a delightfully odd moment when the party member Guy abruptly announces that he can “talk to beavers,” astonishing everyone on screen. The literal, accidentally humorous translation emerged in an otherwise routine scene and swiftly spread through the community, becoming a beloved meme that showcasesthe series’ unpredictable charm.
Although obscure, the line left a lasting mark on the game’s history and evolved into a fan‑favorite moment over the decades. Its inclusion as an easter egg in thisFinal FantasyandMagic: The Gatheringset celebrates the franchise’s eccentric side, and by spotlighting a joke that some devotees might miss, the crossover deepens its identity and enriches the overall experience.
2Inspiring Call
Tidus And Yuna’s Scene In Final Fantasy 10 Remembered In Magic: The Gathering
Many cards in thisFinal Fantasycrossover withMagic: The Gatheringdepict serious moments or portray protagonists in battle, yet others draw upon lighter scenes, asInspiring Calldoes. The illustration transports players to one of the most remembered sequences fromFinal Fantasy 10, treasured partly for the memes it spawned and partly for the emotional warmth beneath its awkward laughter.
The card references the infamousLaughing Scene in which Tidus and Yuna intentionally force out peculiar laughs, a performance that may induce second‑hand embarrassment but still carries narrative weight. At that point in the story, the protagonist feels disoriented after learning Sin might be his missing father, andInspiring Callcaptures his resolve to mask confusion with cheer, making it one of the set’s finest nods.
1Coin Of Fate
One Of The Most Critical Moments In Sabin And Edgar’s Background In Final Fantasy 6
With its intricate narrative,Final Fantasy 6grants each main character a well‑crafted background that deviates from standard hero tales, and two such figures are the twin brothers Edgar and Sabin. During a flashback, the story reveals that, after their father’s death, they agreed to decide the successor by tossing a coin into the air.
Whoever won could choose his own fate, and Sabin’s victory allowed him to leave Figaro Castle to his brother while pursuing freedom elsewhere. Unknown to him, the coin Edgar used was rigged, making Sabin the inevitable winner, and theCoin of Fateartwork subtly reveals this twist in the armor’s reflection, forming one of the set’s strongest easter eggs.
