After (literal) weeks of preview cards coming fast from all angles, we are nearing the end of preview season for Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy, the highly anticipated collaboration set between Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix. There's plenty to analyze, predict, and present now that all of the cards have (almost) been revealed, but there are still a few cards that have yet to be revealed…including ours.
Today, it's finally time to reveal the MTG Salvation Final Fantasy preview card. Say hello to the final boss of Final Fantasy V, Exdeath, Void Warlock!
- Exdeath, Void Warlock (Legendary Creature - Spirit Warlock)
- Costs to cast
- 3 power/3 toughness
- When Exdeath enters, you gain 3 life.
- At the beginning of your end step, if there are six or more permanent cards in your graveyard, transform Exdeath.
On its (front) face, Exdeath here seems like an ordinary on-rate creature; three mana for a 3/3 is standard stuff, and the "gain 3 life" upside is fine, but not game breaking by any stretch. However, that second ability is important, as the other side of Exdeath has a little bit more going for it.
Meet Neo Exdeath, Dimension's End
- Neo Exdeath, Dimension's End (Legendary Creature - Spirit Avatar)
- Transforms from Exdeath, Void Warlock
- * power/3 toughness
- Trample
- Neo Exdeath's power is equal to the number of permanent cards in your graveyard.
At worst, Neo Exdeath enters the battlefield as a 6/3 trampler. That's pretty good, especially if you can transform it in the first turn it hits the field. The earlier the better, of course, as that trample damage will be huge in the early to mid game, but 6 trample damage is notable no matter when it comes in.
The biggest hurdle, without question, is that toughness. Three toughness even in his transformation makes both sides of Exdeath very susceptible to removal like Lightning Bolt, so you'll need to find ways to protect him in order to keep that big damage on your side of the battlefield.
Despite his legendary status, Exdeath definitely seems like more of a "in the 99" inclusion for a Commander deck, especially with other Golgari legends like Jenova, Ancient Calamity and Cloud of Darkness. In fact, he may best fit in a three-color build with Orphan, Cocoon fal'Cie (aka Muldrotha, the Gravetide) that fuels and benefits from graveyard shenanigans.
All told though, this is a cool transforming card among many cool transforming cards, which are all a part of a massive collaboration set that will likely be one of the biggest Magic: The Gathering launches of the year. Preview season ends tomorrow, May 30, and the full gallery of cards will be available here on MTG Salvation.
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