So you've heard about the Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy crossover? Yeah, me too. When I first saw Cloud Strife staring back at me from a Magic card, I nearly spilled my coffee. As someone who's collected both MTG and Final Fantasy merch since the 90s, this feels like my two childhood worlds colliding. But here's the thing - with all the hype, it's tough to know what's actually worth your cash. Let's cut through the noise.
What Exactly IS This Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy Thing?
Remember when Square Enix and Wizards of the Coast announced their collaboration? The internet went nuts. This isn't just another Magic set - it's a full-on Final Fantasy tribute in card form. The Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy is the premium version of the Universes Beyond drop featuring characters from every main FF game.
I got my hands on three packs during the prerelease. That first pack smell? Still magic. But I'll be honest - my hands were shaking when I saw the foil-stamped Sephiroth card peeking through the wrapper. Totally worth the 4am Target run.
Quick Reality Check: These aren't standard Magic boosters. Each Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy contains:
- 15 cards with all foil treatments (yes, every single one)
- 1-2 extended art cards minimum
- Borderless cards in every pack
- 30% chance of a serialized card (more on those later)
Breaking Down What's Actually Inside
| Card Type | Drop Rate Per Pack | Real-World Examples | Current Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borderless Legendary Characters | 2-3 | Cloud (FFVII), Y'shtola (FFXIV) | $15 - $80+ |
| Extended Art Summons | 1-2 | Shiva, Bahamut, Odin | $8 - $40 |
| Serialized Cards | Approx 1:3 packs | Numbered 1/500 to 500/500 | $200 - $2000+ |
| Concept Art Cards | 1 | Developer sketches | $5 - $25 |
That serialized card chase is brutal though. My buddy opened 12 packs before hitting a #124/500 Tifa. The eBay listings for low numbers are insane - saw #007/500 Sephiroth listed for $5k. Would I pay that? Hell no. But someone did.
Why Everyone's Obsessed (And Is It Justified?)
Let's talk hype. The MTG Final Fantasy Collector Pack release crashed multiple store sites. But is it just FOMO? Having played with these cards for weeks, I'll say this: the gameplay integration is shockingly good. They didn't just slap Final Fantasy art on existing mechanics.
Take the Materia system - it actually works like FFVII's materia slots. And the Phantom Train card? Sacrificing creatures to "push it along the track" is pure fan service genius. But man, some abilities feel overpowered. That Kefka card that lets you discard opponents' hands? Yeah, my playgroup banned it after two games.
Top 5 Cards Players Actually Want
- Aerith's Prayer (FFVII) - Resurrects your entire graveyard. Broken in commander.
- Lightning (FFXIII) - Transforms between commando/ravager modes each turn.
- Griever (FFVIII) - Eats your other creatures to grow stronger. Metal.
- Magitek Armor (FFVI) - Artifact vehicle that crews with mages.
- Zidane Tribal Flute (FFIX) - Steal opponents' equipment. So annoying to play against.
But here's the dirty secret: pull rates suck for chase cards. That Aerith card? I've seen people open two cases (that's 48 packs!) without getting one. Makes you wonder if buying singles isn't smarter...
Where to Buy Without Getting Scammed
This is where things get sketchy. Since the Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy release, counterfeiters are having a field day. I almost got burned on eBay last week - seller had "factory sealed" packs with blurred holograms. Here's where I actually trust:
| Retailer | Price Per Pack | Shipping Time | Legitimacy Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official WPN Stores | $24.99 - $29.99 | Same day pickup | ✅ Hologram seal + WPN stamp |
| Card Kingdom | $27.95 | 2-3 days | ✅ Tamper-proof packaging |
| Amazon (sold by Amazon) | $22.99 - $34.99 | Prime shipping | ⚠️ Check seller carefully |
| eBay Top-rated Plus | $20 - $40+ | Varies | ⚠️ Require sealed case photos |
Watch Out For: Packs selling below $20 (almost guaranteed scam), resealed packs (check glue marks), and "loose" serialized cards without packaging proof. I learned the hard way - bought a "pack fresh" Cloud that turned out to be a proxy.
The Investment Angle: Will These Hold Value?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. Is this Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy stuff actually worth hoarding? I've got mixed feelings. On one hand:
- Limited print run (Wizards won't confirm numbers but distributors hint it's smaller than LOTR)
- Crossover appeal brings in non-MTG collectors
- Serialized cards are inherently scarce
But man, remember the 30th Anniversary Edition disaster? $1k for proxy cards? This feels different though - these are legal in Commander and Modern. Still, I'm not dumping my retirement fund into these.
Current trajectory based on MTGStocks data:
- Non-serialized chase cards down 15% since release week (as supply increases)
- Serialized cards under #100/500 up 40% (collectors want low numbers)
- Sealed packs up 8% as people stash them
My advice? If you pull a serialized card, grade it immediately. That PSA 10 #017/500 Terra spiked to $3k. Raw card? Maybe $900. The grading premium is insane on these.
Playing These Cards Without Getting Side-Eyed
So you wanna actually use your shiny new Final Fantasy MTG Collector Pack cards? Be prepared for salt. Some commander purists hate Universes Beyond. Here's how to not be "that guy":
- Ask first: "Mind if I run my FF deck?" avoids feels-bads
- Power down: That Sephiroth board wipe every turn? Maybe don't.
- Proxy expensive cards: Nobody wants their $100 Aerith eaten by a taco
Funny story: I took my FF deck to Commander Night last week. Guy playing Urza scowled the whole game... until I played the Cactuar card that deals damage based on opponent's tapped lands. We laughed so hard we called a truce. Point is - know your audience.
Preserving Your Investment: Storage Tips That Work
These foils are PRONE to curling. Like, "make a taco shell" bad. After ruining a borderless Tidus, I developed a system:
- Immediately double sleeve with Dragon Shield sealable inners
- Use 60%+ silica gel packets in storage boxes
- Store vertically in BCW cardboard boxes (plastic traps humidity)
- For display: Ultra Pro One Touch cases with UV coating
Humidity matters more than temperature. My buddy in Florida lost three serialized cards to pringle-ing before he bought a dehumidifier. Don't be like him.
The Burning Questions Everyone's Asking
"Are these legal in tournaments?"
Most cards are Modern-legal except for designated "acorn stamp" joke cards (looking at you, Tonberry knife). Commander? 100% legal. Standard? Nope.
"Will there be a reprint?"
Wizards says no - but they lied about the Fetchlands reprint too. My prediction? Secret Lair versions in 2 years without serials.
"Can I buy specific cards somewhere?"
Tcgplayer has most singles. But serialized? Only eBay/Facebook groups. Expect to pay 20-30% above market in auctions.
"What's the actual pull rate for Sephiroth?"
Data from 500+ pack openings: Borderless Sephiroth appears in ~1:54 Collector Pack MTG Final Fantasy packs. Serialized? 1:1,200. Better start saving.
"Should I open or keep sealed?"
Short term: Opening has higher risk/reward. Long term (5+ years)? Sealed always wins. My sealed box is tucked away behind my Tolkien books.
Final Thoughts From a Jaded Collector
Look, I've been burned by hype before. The Final Fantasy MTG Collector Pack is genuinely fun - the art alone makes me nostalgic. But the pricing? Oof. At nearly $30 per pack, it's hard to justify ripping open dozens.
If you're new: Buy ONE pack for the experience. If you're a collector: Hunt specific singles. If you're an investor... well, maybe stick to stocks. Personally? I'll cherish that foil Moogle card forever, even if it's only worth $2. Sometimes joy beats value.
Just promise me one thing? Don't mortgage your house chasing #001/500 Cloud. Your cat needs food more than you need cardboard. Trust me.
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