The Magic: The Gathering community is abuzz following the recent unveiling of the Final Fantasy Secret Lair drop, set to release on November 17th, 2023. In a collaboration with Square Enix, Wizards of the Coast has brought iconic characters and locations from the Final Fantasy franchise into the Magic: The Gathering universe, generating overwhelmingly positive feedback, albeit with some debate surrounding the pricing.

This isn’t Magic: The Gathering’s first crossover set, but the depth of the Final Fantasy integration is unparalleled. The drop features stunning full-art lands depicting locations such as Midgar and the Crystal Tower, alongside reimagined creatures as Magic cards. The Secret Lair drop is divided into three distinct prints: Final Fantasy: Realms Reimagined, showcasing breathtaking landscapes; Final Fantasy: Heroes Reborn, featuring iconic heroes like Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, Yuffie Kisaragi, and Aerith Gainsborough as legendary creatures with unique abilities; and Final Fantasy: Villains Assemble, bringing antagonists like Sephiroth, Kefka Palazzo, and Garland to the battlefield.

The cards are beautifully illustrated, drawing heavily from Yoshitaka Amano’s distinctive art style, a key element resonating with Final Fantasy fans. Cloud Strife is represented as a white and blue legendary creature with abilities centered around equipping and attacking, mirroring his Buster Sword-wielding style, while Sephiroth is a powerful black and white threat embodying his destructive nature.

However, the pricing structure has sparked controversy. Each Secret Lair print is sold separately, with a higher cost per print than previous drops, leading some players to question the value. The Heroes Reborn print is particularly sought after due to the inclusion of highly coveted characters. Wizards of the Coast has addressed concerns, citing the complexity of the art and the licensing agreement with Square Enix as justification for the higher price.

The Final Fantasy collaboration extends beyond physical cards, with digital versions available on Magic: The Gathering Arena, allowing players to integrate the new cards into their existing decks and strategies. Pre-orders are currently open on the Secret Lair website, with high demand expected, particularly for limited-edition prints. The Final Fantasy Secret Lair drop marks a significant moment for both Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy, bridging two passionate fanbases and offering a unique collectible experience, potentially paving the way for future crossovers.