Magic: The Gathering’s highly anticipated Universes Beyond collaboration with Final Fantasy has arrived, bringing iconic characters, moments, and artwork from all 16 mainline games into the world of Magic. This massive project, which was four years in the making and fueled by Square Enix’s own passion for MTG, includes a special 60-card bonus sheet: the Final Fantasy: Through the Ages collection.
This unique sub-set reimagines classic, powerful Magic: The Gathering cards with stunning Final Fantasy concept art and scenes provided directly by Square Enix. The result is a collection that resonates deeply with fans of both franchises, blending strategic gameplay with decades of beloved video game history.
These “Through the Ages” cards aren’t just beautiful collectibles; many represent format-defining staples in Magic, particularly in the Commander format, but also seeing play in Modern and Legacy. This potent combination of nostalgia, striking alternate art, and competitive viability has driven significant demand and value on the secondary market.
Whether you’re an MTG player looking for powerful alternate-art versions of your favorite cards or a Final Fantasy enthusiast hoping to own a piece of gaming history, knowing which “Through the Ages” cards command the highest prices is essential.
Why These Final Fantasy MTG Cards Are So Valuable
The value of cards in the “Through the Ages” collection stems from a perfect storm of factors:
- Iconic Intellectual Properties: The partnership merges two giants of gaming – Magic: The Gathering, a foundational trading card game (as highlighted by sources comparing it to other TCGs like Pokémon and Lorcana), and Final Fantasy, a legendary video game series spanning decades. This crossover appeals to vast existing fanbases.
- Strategic Powerhouse Reprints: The cards selected for the “Through the Ages” treatment are not random; they are often highly played, competitively relevant cards. Many are Commander format staples, while others impact Modern and Legacy. Marrying iconic characters/scenes with powerful effects naturally increases their desirability and price.
- Unique & Beloved Artwork: The collection features breathtaking art, including contributions from legendary Final Fantasy artists Yoshitaka Amano and Tetsuya Nomura. Exclusive alternate art featuring beloved characters, summons, and locations adds immense collector appeal. Specific foil printings and unique treatments (like those seen in other valued MTG sets) can skyrocket prices even further.
- Collector Demand & Rarity: Beyond gameplay, the sheer collectibility drives value. Limited print runs for certain versions (like foils in Collector Boosters or the entirely limited Secret Lair drops) create scarcity. The desire to own cards featuring favorite characters or specific games adds to the frenzy on the secondary market.
Ranking the Most Valuable Final Fantasy: Through the Ages Cards
Based on recent secondary market data, here are the 16 most valuable cards from the “Through the Ages” collection. Prices fluctuate, but this list reflects which cards are currently fetching the highest value.
16. Clive Rosfield (Vial Smasher the Fierce) – FINAL FANTASY XVI
Representing the fiery protagonist from the latest installment, this card brings Vial Smasher the Fierce’s damage-dealing ability to life with Clive’s art. While the non-foil value may sit lower on the list, the foil version commands a significantly higher price, appealing to collectors.
15. The Emperor, Hell Tyrant (Yawgmoth, Thran Physician) – FINAL FANTASY II
This card features art from the classic Final Fantasy II villain on the powerful Modern staple, Yawgmoth, Thran Physician. Players who utilize the “Yawgmoth” deck in Modern tournaments or enjoy potent graveyard strategies in Commander seek out this version.
14. Kefka’s Tower (Bolas’s Citadel) – FINAL FANTASY VI
Instead of pairing Kefka’s Tower with a card like Command Tower, Wizards of the Coast chose Bolas’s Citadel, a powerful, high-cost artifact known for its ability to let you play cards off the top of your library. The art fits the iconic villain’s imposing structure from FFVI.
13. Cecil Harvey (Tymna the Weaver) – FINAL FANTASY IV
A fan-favorite protagonist from Final Fantasy IV, Cecil Harvey is depicted on Tymna the Weaver. Tymna is a highly popular and powerful Commander known for drawing cards in multicolor decks, and many players appreciate how well Cecil’s character design fits the card’s flavor.
12. Lightning, Lone Commando (Isshin, Two Heavens as One) – FINAL FANTASY XIII
Lightning, the stoic hero of Final Fantasy XIII, appears on Isshin, Two Heavens as One. Isshin is a top-tier Commander for aggressive strategies focusing on attack triggers, a mechanic that aligns well with Lightning’s combat-focused persona. Its value has seen recent increases.
11. Blessing of the Oracle (Akroma’s Will) – FINAL FANTASY XV
Showcasing beautiful art featuring Noctis and Lunafreya from Final Fantasy XV, this version of Akroma’s Will is highly sought after. Akroma’s Will is a premier white spell in Commander, often used as a game-ending finisher, and this FF-themed version has experienced a notable price spike.
10. Kefka Palazzo (Purphoros, God of the Forge) – FINAL FANTASY VI
The iconic villain Kefka Palazzo from Final Fantasy VI is paired with Purphoros, God of the Forge, a powerful enchantment creature favored in token or blink strategies in Commander. Featuring stunning Yoshitaka Amano art, this card is a must-have for fans of the character and the artist.
9. Tidus, Zanarkand Fayth (Thrasios, Triton Hero) – FINAL FANTASY X
The star of Final Fantasy X, Tidus, lends his image to Thrasios, Triton Hero. While Thrasios sees niche competitive play, the main draw here is the striking Final Fantasy X cover art, making it highly desirable for collectors and fans of the game.
8. Cloud Strife (Najeela, the Blade-Blossom) – FINAL FANTASY VII
Cloud Strife, perhaps the most recognizable Final Fantasy character, is featured on Najeela, the Blade-Blossom. Najeela is a powerful and popular Commander, and the Tetsuya Nomura art on this card makes it a huge draw. Like many on this list, the foil version fetches a price significantly higher than the non-foil.
7. The Cloudsea Djinn (Nyxbloom Ancient) – FINAL FANTASY
From the original Final Fantasy, The Cloudsea Djinn adorns Nyxbloom Ancient. This massive enchantment creature is a favorite in big mana green Commander decks for its ability to triple mana production. The classic art adds considerable collector appeal.
6. Zidane Tribal (Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer) – FINAL FANTASY IX
The charming protagonist from Final Fantasy IX, Zidane Tribal, is featured on Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer. Ragavan is a notoriously powerful and expensive one-drop creature in Modern and Legacy. Pairing Zidane with this competitive staple, especially with appealing alternate art, makes it highly valuable, with the foil version also commanding a premium.
5. Terra Branford (Urza, High Lord Artificer) – FINAL FANTASY VI
Terra Branford, a beloved hero from Final Fantasy VI, is depicted on Urza, High Lord Artificer. Urza is a multi-format powerhouse in MTG, making this card a prime example of a fan-favorite character landing on a highly playable and valuable card.
4. Knights of San d’Oria (Ranger-Captain of Eos) – FINAL FANTASY XI
Representing Final Fantasy XI, the Knights of San d’Oria appear on Ranger-Captain of Eos. This creature sees notable play in competitive Modern and Legacy formats, contributing to its value for players alongside its appeal to FF fans.
3. Sephiroth, the Savior (Atraxa, Grand Unifier) – FINAL FANTASY VII
One of gaming’s most iconic villains, Sephiroth, is featured on Atraxa, Grand Unifier. Atraxa is a multi-format superstar, dominating Commander and seeing play in other formats. Despite the incredible pairing, its value sits surprisingly lower than the top spots but remains a highly sought-after card.
2. Dragon of Mount Gulg (Ancient Copper Dragon) – FINAL FANTASY
From the original Final Fantasy, the Dragon of Mount Gulg is depicted on Ancient Copper Dragon. This card is a popular choice in Commander decks that leverage treasure tokens and dragon synergies. Its high secondary market price is likely driven by a combination of its playability and immense nostalgic appeal, particularly with its significantly more expensive foil printings.
1. Stay With Me (Rhystic Study) – FINAL FANTASY X
Topping the list is “Stay With Me,” featuring art inspired by a poignant moment from Final Fantasy X, on the notorious Commander staple, Rhystic Study. Known for its ability to draw cards and tax opponents, Rhystic Study is one of the most widely played and expensive non-land cards in the Commander format. Its ubiquitous presence and the striking FFX art make this “Through the Ages” version the most valuable card in the collection.
Beyond the Top 16: Other Valuable Final Fantasy MTG Cards
While the “Through the Ages” collection features valuable reprints, the main Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy set includes many other cards that command significant prices. Some “Honorable Mentions” from the “Through the Ages” sheet offer staples like Fatal Push (Battle at the Bridge) and Dovin’s Veto (Shadowbringers) with cool art at more accessible prices.
However, other cards designed specifically for the main set or its Commander decks have quickly become major chase cards. These include powerful Summons like Summon: Bahamut, iconic characters like Vivi Ornitier (from FF9) and different versions of Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER, and signature items like the Buster Sword. Some of these cards have reached values well over $100.
The ultimate high-value chase cards in the Final Fantasy MTG set are the various printings of the Traveling Chocobo. Special variants, such as the Borderless Neon Ink and particularly the extremely rare Gold Foil versions (limited to just 77 copies globally), have reached astronomical prices on the secondary market, some fetching over $1000 or even several thousand dollars.
Where to Find These Highly Sought-After Cards
The Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy set, including the “Through the Ages” cards, is available in various product types like Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Bundles, and themed Commander Decks.
However, due to incredibly high demand following the set’s launch, many of these products have quickly sold out at major retailers at their initial MSRP. This means that finding sealed product readily available can be challenging.
For specific high-value cards like those on this list, the most common and often recommended method is purchasing singles directly from the secondary market. Trusted platforms like TCGPlayer are primary destinations for buying individual cards after release, although prices will reflect market demand.
Additionally, the limited-time Final Fantasy x Secret Lair drops (Weapons, Grimoire, and Game Over) which feature exclusive alternate art versions of other MTG cards, were highly sought after. These drops sold out instantly and are now exclusively available on the secondary market, often commanding prices significantly higher than their original cost ($80-$150+ or more).
Whether you’re cracking packs hoping to pull a valuable chase card or strategically buying singles to complete a collection or deck, the Final Fantasy MTG set is packed with cards that are both powerful in gameplay and highly desirable for collectors. Their value is a testament to the enduring legacy of both Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy.
