The new Final Fantasy set in MTG Arena has brought some very unique and beloved characters from the franchise—and among them, some powerful ones shine in Historic Brawl. Today, we'll go over five new decks based on Final Fantasy commanders that you can build and play right now in MTG Arena.
If you're a fan of brewing or just want to relive your favorite Final Fantasy moments in Magic form, these Brawl decks are a great place to start.
What are the best Final Fantasy commanders in MTG Arena?
Some of the best Final Fantasy commanders in MTG Arena right now include Cloud Strife, who leads an aggressive token-based deck with potential for infinite combat steps, and Yuffie Kisaragi, a tempo-focused commander built around ninjas and unblockable threats. Kefka, Court Mage is a standout Grixis control option with built-in hand disruption, while Vivi Ornitier offers explosive value in spell-slinger builds. Finally, Tifa Lockhart brings a whole new twist to green ramp strategies, turning landfall triggers into massive bursts of damage.
These are just a few of the most exciting options to brew around. For a deeper dive into all the top Final Fantasy commanders worth building, be sure to check out my full breakdown here.
Cloud Strife - Najeela, the Blade-Blossom
Cloud leads a hyper-aggressive deck that hits fast and hard.
Think of it like a token-based blitz—cards like Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, and other cheap creatures start swinging early, while support pieces help build a growing army. By turn five, you're aiming to activate Najeela's second ability and swing again… and sometimes again. With Derevi, Empyrial Tactician in the mix, you can even go infinite with combat steps. It's all about overwhelming your opponents before they can stabilize.
Yuffie Kisaragi - Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
Yuffie’s deck leans into tempo and evasion.
The idea is to sneak in damage early using unblockable creatures like Slither Blade or Changeling Outcast, then drop Yuriko on turn two to start drawing cards and dealing damage. It's got a bit of a ninja theme, so you won't always rush Yuffie out—you want to be smart, protect your pieces with counterspells, and keep opponents off-balance with removal. If you like tricky plays and always having a response, this one's for you.
Vivi Ornitier
Vivi is a spell-slinger’s dream.
Every time you cast a non-creature spell, Vivi gets stronger—and if you happen to slap Curiosity on him, you can start drawing your entire deck as you keep casting spells. This deck is built to protect Vivi with counterspells like Shore Up, then use him to chain powerful plays like Treasure Cruise or even Time Warp effects. He's fast, deadly, and surprisingly resilient for a three-mana commander.
Tifa Lockhart
Tifa turns landfall into a serious win condition.
Each time a land enters the battlefield, her power doubles—yes, doubles. With fetchlands and cheap ramp spells, she can hit absurd power levels by turn three or four. Cards like Scale Up let you manipulate her power before those landfall triggers resolve, which means it's not unusual to see her swinging in for 20+ damage out of nowhere. She gives green ramp a fresh, aggressive edge that other commanders like Azusa just can't match.
Kefka, Court Mage
If you love control and want something that feels unfair in the best way, Kefka might be your new favorite.
As soon as he hits the battlefield, he messes with your opponent's hand and keeps you full of cards. Plus, being a 4/5 for five mana puts him out of range of most efficient removal like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push. This Grixis deck plays like classic removal-heavy control. Still, Kefka outshines other options like Marchesa, Dealer of Death, or Nicol Bolas, the Ravager, thanks to his efficiency and how quickly he takes over the game.
Other Strong Final Fantasy Commanders to Consider
Not every Final Fantasy commander makes the top five, but there are still plenty of solid options worth brewing around.
One example is Cloud, Midgar Mercenary, who works well in an equipment-focused shell.
Pairing him with cards like Sigarda's Aid and Colossus Hammer can lead to big swings out of nowhere. The downside, though, is consistency—it's easy to miss the full combo without key pieces like Kor Outfitter or Puresteel Paladin, which aren't available in MTG Arena yet. And without powerhouse equipment like Skullclamp or Batterskull, the deck can feel a bit clunky at times. Still, if you enjoy explosive turns and brewing around gear-based synergies, Cloud is a fun and flavorful choice.
Another interesting option is Thrasios, Triton Hero, and Tymna the Weaver, who shine as partner commanders with solid card advantage and synergy potential.
They're undeniably strong, especially in formats like Duel Commander, where combos with cards like Shuko and Najeela can take over the game. But in MTG Arena, things aren't quite the same. Shuko isn't available, and Najeela has been nerfed, making it much harder (if not impossible) to pull off those flashy, game-breaking combos. On top of that, key support cards like Birthing Pod are also missing. Still, there's some hope if you pivot the strategy. Slotting in Neoform or Eldritch Evolution can help cheat a large threat like Atraxa, Grand Unifier into play early, giving you a new direction to explore.
Final Thoughts on Final Fantasy Brawl Decks
With so many iconic characters to choose from, the Final Fantasy set has opened up a ton of fresh brewing space in Historic Brawl. Whether you're swinging in with a pumped-up Tifa, casting spells with Vivi, or locking things down with Kefka, each deck brings its own flavor and strategy to the table. While some commanders shine brighter than others on MTG Arena due to card availability, there's still a lot of room to experiment and have fun.
If you're looking for even more Final Fantasy legends to build around, be sure to check out my other article covering all the top commanders worth brewing.
Take care, and we will meet again in my next article.
