The MTG Set That Finally Pulled Me Back In: A Final Fantasy Story

I learned to tap lands back in 1996, when Ice Age boosters could still be found at the mall kiosk. About 10 or so years ago I drifted away and filled my game nights with JRPGs instead or other board games. Fast‑forward to 2025: I’m happily shufflingStar Wars Unlimited, Lorcana and the One Piece card game, until Wizards of the Coast drops a Final Fantasy crossover. As a longtime fan of VII, VIII, IX, X, and XII, I grabbed the Starter Kit, sat down with my wife, and fell right back down the rabbit hole.

Why the Final Fantasy Starter Kit Is a Great Re‑Entry Point

• Low commitment. At $19.99 MSRP the kit is cheaper than most rival two‑deck products and far below a full booster box.
• Everything you need. Two 60‑card decks (Cloud vs. Sephiroth), deck boxes, a concise how‑to‑play guide, and Arena codes for digital play.
• Modern templating with classic DNA. You still have the stack, summoning sickness, and combat tricks that defined early Magic, but the new set also leans on “Limit Break”–style payoff cards and crystals that feel right at home in a Final Fantasy world.

First Games Back: Hits and Misses

The Good

• The art and flavor are phenomenal—pulling a foil Cloud Strife hits different.
• The combat system is as tense as I remembered, and the new crystal mechanic adds purposeful ramp.

The Not‑So‑Good

• Compared with streamlined games like Star Wars Unlimited, tracking the stack can feel clunky at first.
• Deck construction is deeper, but that also means a steeper learning curve for new or returning players.

The Elephant in the Room: Cost and Supply

Magic’s pricing has climbed since the ’90s:

• Play Boosters list at $6.99, Collector Boosters at $37.99, and Commander decks at $69.99 MSRP.
• Secondary‑market prices have already jumped—Play Booster boxes hover around $180 – $199 online, well above MSRP.
• High demand pushed many products out of stock during preorder, though starter kits remained available.

Is the set “locked” after one print wave? Not exactly. Wizards says core products are printed to demand—expect restocks, just not indefinitely. Popular Secret Lair drops are the true limited‑run items, not mainline sets like this one.

Five Ways to Enjoy the Set Without Breaking the Bank

1. Stick to the Starter Kit. It’s the best value and teaches the rules in a contained environment.
2. Redeem your Arena codes. Play online for free while you decide whether to invest further.
3. Jumpstart packs. If your store runs Jumpstart events, two packs give you a ready‑to‑play deck for roughly the price of a single booster.
4. Buy singles after the first restock. Prices usually dip once the hype cools and supply catches up.
5. Proxy for kitchen‑table play. Wizards tolerates casual proxies at home; print a Cloud and sleeve it over a basic land until you snag the real card.

Final Thoughts: Should You Dive In?

If you love Final Fantasy and have fond memories of old‑school Magic, the Starter Kit offers a nostalgic bridge between the two worlds while keeping costs reasonable. Just set a budget before chasing foils. For me, the simple joy of casting Firaga on a board full of chocobos was enough to remind me why I fell in love with trading card games in the first place.

Whether you stop at the kit or go all‑in on Collector Boosters, it’s a great moment to rejoin the Multiverse—and maybe bring a few JRPG friends along for the ride.