Drafting Final Fantasy in Magic: The Gathering - A Unique MTG Experience

Hello there, Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts! Today, we're going to embark on a thrilling journey into the realm of Final Fantasy as we explore how to draft this iconic video game series into a unique MTG experience. So, grab your MTG cards and let's dive right in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and final fantasy mtg draft.

Why Final Fantasy and Magic: The Gathering?

You might be wondering, "How can we possibly combine Final Fantasy and Magic: The Gathering?" Well, Final Fantasy is a rich tapestry of unique characters, epic battles, and magical elements, making it a perfect fit for a MTG draft. Plus, who wouldn't want to see Cloud Strife casting Lightning Bolt or Aerith using Heal?

Setting Up Your Final Fantasy MTG Draft

To set up a Final Fantasy MTG Draft, you'll need to gather some friends and a couple of MTG draft boosters. Since Final Fantasy spans over a dozen games, we'll focus on the main series (I to VI) for this draft. Here's what you'll need:

- 6-8 players - 3 MTG draft boosters per player (for a total of 18-24 boosters) - A Final Fantasy character list (see below) - A Final Fantasy creature type list (see below) - A Final Fantasy spell list (see below)

Final Fantasy Character List

Create a list of Final Fantasy characters, focusing on the main series (I to VI). Each player will choose one character to represent them throughout the draft. Here's a list to get you started:

- Cloud Strife - Squall Leonhart - Zidane Tribal - Tidus - Lightning - Yuna - Aerith Gainsborough - Celes Chere - Terra Branford - Bartz Klauser - Cecil Harvey - Firion - Onion Knight

Final Fantasy Creature Type List

Next, create a list of Final Fantasy creature types. These will help you assign creature types to your drafted MTG cards. Here's a list to get you started:

- Human: Warrior, Thief, Black Mage, White Mage, Red Mage, Blue Mage - Non-Human: Chocobo, Moogle, Cait Sith, Behemoth, Tonberry, Bahamut, Ifrit, Leviathan, Shiva

Final Fantasy Spell List

Lastly, create a list of Final Fantasy spells. These will help you assign spell names and effects to your drafted MTG cards. Here's a list to get you started:

- Black Magic: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Fira, Blizzara, Thundara, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga - White Magic: Cure, Cura, Curaga, Protect, Shell, Haste, Raise, Esuna, Libra - Other: Summon, Bio, Poison, Toxin, Dispel, Reflect, Barrier, Muddle, Slow, Stop

Drafting Your Final Fantasy MTG Deck

Now that you've set up your draft, it's time to dive into the MTG boosters and create your unique Final Fantasy deck. Follow these steps to guide your drafting process:

1. Choose your character: Each player chooses a Final Fantasy character to represent them throughout the draft. This character will serve as your commander or captain, leading your deck into battle.

2. Draft your booster packs: Follow the standard MTG draft format, opening one booster pack at a time and passing the remaining packs to the player on your left. Choose cards that fit your character's theme and the Final Fantasy creature and spell lists you've created.

3. Assign creature types and spells: As you draft creatures and spells, assign them the appropriate Final Fantasy creature type or spell name. For example, a drafted Giant might become a Behemoth, while a drafted Lightning Bolt could be renamed to Thundara.

4. Build your deck: After the draft, build a minimum 40-card deck using the cards you've drafted. Your deck should consist of creatures, lands, and spells, with a focus on your chosen Final Fantasy character and theme.

Playing Your Final Fantasy MTG Draft

With your decks built, it's time to battle it out in the world of Final Fantasy! Follow these rules to make your MTG games even more exciting:

- Mulligans: To honor the classic Final Fantasy turn-based combat, allow each player one mulligan before the game begins. - Life total: Start with 20 life, paying homage to the Final Fantasy series' use of the number 20 in various aspects of the games. - Commander/Captain: Your chosen Final Fantasy character serves as your commander or captain. If this card is in play, you gain a small bonus, such as drawing an extra card each turn or dealing an additional point of damage with your spells. - Final Fantasy spells: When you cast a Final Fantasy spell, use the assigned name and effect from your list. For example, casting a Lightning Bolt renamed to Thundara deals 3 damage to a target creature or player.

Final Thoughts on Your Final Fantasy MTG Draft

And there you have it, folks! A unique and exciting way to combine the worlds of Final Fantasy and Magic: The Gathering. Whether you're a long-time MTG player or a Final Fantasy fan looking to try something new, this draft is sure to provide hours of entertainment and camaraderie.

So, gather your friends, grab your cards, and let the drafting begin! Who knows? You might just find yourself casting Meteor as Kefka or summoning Bahamut to turn the tide of battle. Until next time, happy drafting, and remember – Chocobos are friends, not food!