Yesterday we ranked every set that was released in 2025.  This spectacular year in Magic: The Gathering saw us visit classic planes like Innistrad and Tarkir.  We went to nearby New York City and all the way to the edge of the cosmos. Today we look at the best cards to come out of Magic: The Gathering in 2025.

From Final Fantasy: Vivi Ornitier

Not every set gets a format-breaking card but in 2025, Final Fantasy managed it.  Vivi Ornitier, the Final Fantasy IX wizard, became a staple in Standard for 5 months before finally eating the ban-hammer. Vivi is a power house.  His baked-in prowess ability helps him buff his buddies and is combined with a Niv Mizzet-esque damage ability that makes him a danger to everyone else at the table. His 0 cost mana ability makes him a resource machine. There were a lot of fun and flavorful cards in Final Fantasy, but Vivi is the cream of the crop.

From Tarkir Dragonstorm: Cori-Steel Cutter

Tarkir Dragonstorm was full of dragons but it was an artifact that provided its best card. Not often do we see super powerful equipment but Cori-Steel Cutter is doing a lot.  For 1R, most players would be happy to just give an equipped creature +1/+1 but Cori-Steel Cutter does that and more.  Flurry is a triggered ability that says when you cast your second spell each turn, create a 1/1 white Monk creature token with prowess and you may attach this Equipment to it.  It’s no wonder that it took less than three months to get banned in Standard.

From Avatar: The Last Airbender: Badgermole Cub

When I considered Avatar: The Last Airbender, I went back and forth on whether I should include Badgermole Cub or Wan Shi Tong, Librarian" target="blank">Wan Shi Tong, Librarian and I think an argument could be made for both.  Badgermole Cub was simply a better card.  With a cost of only [mana]1G[/card] and the ability to turn a deck into a resource engine, Badgermole Cub earns its Mythic rarity.  The fact that it earthbends on entry is an added bonus.

From Edge of Eternities: Ouroboroid

I know, I know…everyone else is saying that Quantum Riddler was the best card in Edge of Eternities but I submit that for creature-heavy decks, Ouroboroid is even better.  Yes, he’ll need some extra protection from removal coming in as only a 1/3 but his added value buffs him and everything else on the battlefield every single turn.  This makes Ouroboroid a powerful ally in green-centered Commander decks.  I don’t know that Ouroboroid makes a big splash in other formats but with Commander being Magic’s most popular format.

From Aetherdrift: Vnwxt, Verbose Host

Aetherdrift didn’t have a ton of fantastic cards in the set but that didn’t mean it was all duds.  Vnwxt, Verbose Host is a great example of a card that showcases Aetherdrift’s signature Start your engines! mechanic. Great for a draw powered engine, Vnwxt comes out as a 0/4 Homunculus that gives the reliquary power of no maximum hand size. If you get to Max Speed, he adds an ability to draw two cards any time you would draw one. My Izzet drake deck featuring Niv-Mizzet, Parun and Niv-Mizzet, Visionary would find Vnwxt to be a great friend.

From Marvel’s Spider-Man: The Soul Stone

Marvel’s Spider-Man saw every iteration your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man all the way from Spider-Ham, Peter Porker to Spider-Man India and major canon events like The Death of Gwen Stacy along the way.  Unfortunately, these cards were great for flavor but not all that innovative as Magic cards.  The notable exception is The Soul Stone. The first of the Infinity Stones to make its way to Magic: The Gathering is indestructible and can be tapped to add B.  If you pay 6B, tap and exile a creature you control, you can Harness The Soul Stone. After that, your reanimate deck will get even stronger as you bring a creature from your graveyard directly to the battlefield at the beginning of your upkeep every turn without having to pay any additional costs.  

From Innistrad Remastered: Edgar Markov

Innistrad Remastered was mostly reprints but one card stood out among the rest.  Edgar Markov being reprinted gave him extra value but let’s not forget how perfect he is as your commander.  His Eminence ability makes him a powerful commander while being tucked safely inside the Command Zone where no one can touch him.  He becomes even more powerful the moment he steps out onto the battlefield.  Also, Innistrad Remastered gave us a serialized showcase version of Edgar Markov that is a must-have for any serious collector.  As of this writing, that showcase card has a market value of $2,404. So while the main art may have had a significant drop in price, Edgar Markov keeps his value alive for the collector with deep pockets.

2025 was an excellent year for Magic: The Gathering and the momentum doesn’t seem to be waning.  If anything, 2026 is looking to be even better.  Lorwyn Eclipsed spoiler season starts soon and before you know it, the set will be here and we’ll be in full swing for a fresh slate of Magic: The Gathering sets.