Call the Mountain ChocoboCall the Mountain Chocobo | Art by Randy Gallegos

It's not-quite final call on Final Fantasy. Today, we're back to see which commanders went Over, which went Under, and whether I called 'em or not.

That's right. We're back with another edition of The Over/Under, the series where I predict how popular new commanders will become one year after their release. Our somewhat arbitrary line is 1,200 decks, so I've guessed above or below that number of decks for each and every new commander. I also made a couple Can't-Miss Picks, which were my most confident selections of the set. I marked down the results on June 13, FIN's first birthday, so now it's time to review. You can review Part 1 and Part 2 of my articles here, or you can keep on reading, since I'll be referencing them throughout.

Now get on your chocobo and ride!

But First, Some Overall Impressions

I, like many, regard this set as a masterpiece. It offered a plethora of novel commanders to choose from — and it didn't hurt that it was a blast to draft, either. What's more, Final Fantasy was highly collectible, not to mention exciting for longtime fans and noobs alike. I myself was somewhere in the middle, since I played the first five or so remakes of the games for Game Boy Advance (flex).

If you don't believe me, believe the numbers:

• Total number of commanders: 177
• Total number of commander decks: 551,100
• Average commander deck count: 3,114
• Most decks: Y'shtola, Night's BlessedY'shtola, Night's Blessed (44,163 decks)
• Fewest decks: Alphinaud LeveilleurAlphinaud Leveilleur (6 decks)

Half a million commander decks in a single set? That's an unprecedented level of success. In fact, it's more than its preceding two sets, Aetherdrift and Tarkir: Dragonstorm, combined.

I mean, I get it for Aetherdrift. But Dragonstorm? Dragonstorm was a mega-popular set in its own right. To see it dwarfed like Giott, King of the DwarvesGiott, King of the Dwarves really illustrates the groundbreaking, runaway success that was FF. This set had everything: WUBRG commanders, typal commanders, double-faced commanders, meld commanders...even Humans with cat ears! It might look like a jumbled smorgasbord to those unfamiliar with the IP, but that diversity allowed the set designers to run wild. In short, whatever type of commander you're looking for, Final Fantasy has it.

Honestly, those minor disjointed elements are about the only criticisms I have. I was wary of Universes Beyond coming to Standard legal sets, but FF put my mind at ease. We've gotten some duds since then, sure. And sometimes it's a little funny to see battlefields where Spider-Ham, Peter PorkerSpider-Ham, Peter Porker and Super ShredderSuper Shredder square off against Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIERSephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER. But just like movies, adaptations can be just as good as originals—if not better. I'd say this was one of the better ones. Now let's examine some specific commanders to see why.

My Correct Selections

Let's begin with my Can't-Miss Picks. I usually only do one, but with so many commanders, this was a double helping.

Last year's prediction: Overs for both

Final deck counts: 26,348 and 25,964, respectively

Pretty safe picks, I'll grant, but correct nonetheless. Here's what I thought about Kefka, Court MageKefka, Court Mage:

"Bonkers. Outrageous. Unbelievable. Kinda creepy. I could list more adjectives to describe this commander, but only three words will suffice…Can't-Miss Pick."

I should've thrown "outrageously popular" into the mix, because this dude is exactly that. In fact, as of today, he's the 24th-most-popular commander in all of EDHdom. Unsurprising, since you can build Kefka any way you want; I stopped counting at 30 tags.

And what about Cloud, Ex-SOLDIERCloud, Ex-SOLDIER?

"This card is utterly busted. Picture this: you cast Cloud, equip Colossus HammerColossus Hammer for free, swing out, draw a bunch of cards, then make two Treasures, too. No wonder they've got 'Soldier' in all caps."

I don't know what it is about my personality, but I can't resist free ways to equip Colossus HammerColossus Hammer. (Must be my general aversion to paying for stuff.) I'm in the process of building a Captain America, First AvengerCaptain America, First Avenger deck just to do it. Anyhoo, that compulsion helped me score correctly here—not to mention call out a key component of Cloud's decks. The Hammer appears in 90% of them.

But those were easy calls. What were some of the closer ones? We'll start with this little Keebler Elf:

Last year's prediction: Over

Final deck count: 1,215

That was a closer shave than those hairless little cheeks, Tataru TaruTataru Taru. My reasoning went as follows:

"White offers a fair number of cards that gift cards, such as OblationOblation and Secret RendezvousSecret Rendezvous. And speaking of gifts, there’s also that whole gift mechanic from Bloomburrow. The free Treasure is a way to break parity on many such cards, so I'd say many players will accept this gift."

And they didn't re-gift it, either. Sometimes a complementary mechanic will appear in subsequent sets to help juice a commander's numbers — like gifting, if it had been in, say, Edge of Eternities (because nothing says "space" like a free gift). Alas, that wasn't the case, which was probably why TT here cut it so close. We had to rely on all that came before, and little of what came after.

Here's a commander that cut things even closer:

Last year's prediction: Over

Final deck count: 1,210

Only eleven decks separated Sin and me from a cataclysm. Here's what I wrote last year...

"Combine with Liquimetal CoatingLiquimetal Coating to auto-kill a planeswalker or summon Marit Lage from your Dark DepthsDark Depths."

Indeed, both those cards appear in the usual Sin, Unending CataclysmSin, Unending Cataclysm lists. Well, technically it's Liquimetal TorqueLiquimetal Torque, but still. The reasons Sin came so close to going Under are twofold: First, it's pretty tough to find cards that actively want their counters removed. Second, he costs seven whole mana. Also probably doesn't help that he's a harbinger of literal cataclysm.

Enough pats on the back. You want to see where I screwed up? You got it.

My Biggest Blunders

As usual, most of my mistakes resulted from getting overly optimistic about ultimately crummy creatures. Case in point:

Last year's prediction: Over

Final deck count: 93

Wow. That is really far from 1,200 decks. You could give Cid, Freeflier PilotCid, Freeflier Pilot another decade and I still think he wouldn't make it. So what was I thinking?

"Cid is kind of like the Niv-Mizzet of Final Fantasy, in that he appears approximately 10,000 times, but always a little different. This is one of the better versions, since he cuts pricing on two popular permanent types."

Do you ever look back on pivotal moments in your life and wonder to yourself, Why did I do that? I'm having one of those moments right now. A one-mana discount on Equipment and Vehicles? I could get a better deal at Taco Bell — and I'm avoiding them right now, since I hear something's up with the lettuce.

Anyhoo, we go from bad to only-a-little-less-bad.

Last year's prediction: Over

Final deck count: 139

What is wrong with you people? Why didn't you build this deck? Didn't my razor-sharp wit from 2025 inspire you?

"Umaro only has 1,199 decks to go, because I've already built him. I mean, a Yeti? That does random stuff? And who's raging? I think I’m in love."

Hmm. Well, this is awkward. I hate to tell you this, but that was a straight-up lie. I never built Umaro. In fact, I kind of forgot all about him until this article. So much for love. I suppose other deckbuilders felt the same, since he appears in less than a percent of decks, even as a member of the 99. Sometimes, we're prisoners of the moment. Other times, like Luke Skywalker about ten minutes into The Empire Strikes Back, we're prisoners of the yeti. And sometimes — like me — we're both.

I'll leave you with one final craptastic pick before signing off...

Last year's prediction: Under

Final deck count: 6,727

This was one of only six Under predictions that instead went Over, and by far the worst of them. Squall, SeeD MercenarySquall, SeeD Mercenary proved to be not just popular, but one of the more popular commanders in the whole set. Here's my silly little blurb from back before I knew that:

"[In 2024], I gave an Over to Annie Flash, the VeteranAnnie Flash, the Veteran and got burned. [In 2025], I’m not making the same mistake. Both Annie and this commander compare favorably to Sun TitanSun Titan, but evidently, that’s not enough."

Or maybe it is if you cost two less mana, have a loner's personality, and wear a pleather jacket. Always tough when commanders seem to suggest contradictory patterns, but so it goes, I suppose. Plus, it can't hurt that he's the protagonist of FFVIII, which I learned moments ago.

Look, there were almost 200 commanders, alright? I can't research them all!

Recap

Correct Picks

1. Aerith GainsboroughAerith Gainsborough - Over (2,724 decks)
2. Alisaie LeveilleurAlisaie Leveilleur + Alphinaud LeveilleurAlphinaud Leveilleur - Over (2,314 total decks)
3. Cloud, Midgar MercenaryCloud, Midgar Mercenary - Over (7,136 decks)
4. Dion, Bahamut's DominantDion, Bahamut's Dominant - Over (2,154 decks)
5. Minwu, White MageMinwu, White Mage - Over (1,958 decks)
6. Tataru TaruTataru Taru - Over (1,215 decks)
7. Venat, Heart of HydaelynVenat, Heart of Hydaelyn - Over (1,249 decks)
8. Gogo, Master of MimicryGogo, Master of Mimicry - Over (2,787 decks)
9. Y'shtola RhulY'shtola Rhul - Over (2,102 decks)
10. Ardyn, the UsurperArdyn, the Usurper - Over (3,334 decks)
11. Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIERSephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER - Over (26,076 decks)
12. Vincent ValentineVincent Valentine - Over (4,408 decks)
13. Zenos yae GalvusZenos yae Galvus - Over (3,679 decks)
14. Zodiark, Umbral GodZodiark, Umbral God - Over (1,451 decks)
15. Clive, Ifrit's DominantClive, Ifrit's Dominant - Over (6,271 decks)
16. Gilgamesh, Master-at-ArmsGilgamesh, Master-at-Arms - Over (2,482 decks)
17. Vincent, Vengeful AtonerVincent, Vengeful Atoner - Over (1,355 decks)
18. Tifa LockhartTifa Lockhart - Over (13,018 decks)
19. Ultima, Origin of OblivionUltima, Origin of Oblivion - Over (6,645 decks)
20. Absolute VirtueAbsolute Virtue - Over (1,922 decks)
21. Hope EstheimHope Estheim - Over (15,581 decks)
22. Lyse HextLyse Hext - Over (2,336 decks)
23. Emet-Selch of the Third SeatEmet-Selch of the Third Seat - Over (1,517 decks)
24. Emet-Selch, UnsunderedEmet-Selch, Unsundered - Over (3,813 decks)
25. Golbez, Crystal CollectorGolbez, Crystal Collector - Over (10,461 decks)
26. Sephiroth, Planet's HeirSephiroth, Planet's Heir - Over (2,978 decks)
27. Black Waltz No. 3Black Waltz No. 3 - Over (4,210 decks)
28. Kefka, Dancing MadKefka, Dancing Mad - Over (1,290 decks)
29. Kuja, Genome SorcererKuja, Genome Sorcerer - Over (18,555 decks)
30. Setzer, Wandering GamblerSetzer, Wandering Gambler - Over (1,574 decks)
31. Balthier and FranBalthier and Fran - Over (2,217 decks)
32. Aerith, Last AncientAerith, Last Ancient - Over (2,172 decks)
33. Garnet, Princess of AlexandriaGarnet, Princess of Alexandria - Over (3,245 decks)
34. Yuna, Hope of SpiraYuna, Hope of Spira - Over (4,560 decks)
35. Ardbert, Warrior of DarknessArdbert, Warrior of Darkness - Over (6,176 decks)
36. Tellah, Great SageTellah, Great Sage - Over (1,754 decks)
37. Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier - Over (34,233 decks)
38. Jenova, Ancient CalamityJenova, Ancient Calamity - Over (6,059 decks)
39. Vanille, Cheerful l'CieVanille, Cheerful l'Cie - Over (1,569 decks)
40. Cloud, Planet's ChampionCloud, Planet's Champion - Over (2,542 decks)
41. Joshua, Phoenix's DominantJoshua, Phoenix's Dominant - Over (2,773 decks)
42. Lightning, Army of OneLightning, Army of One - Over (12,544 decks)
43. Mog, Moogle WarriorMog, Moogle Warrior - Over (2,968 decks)
44. Sephiroth, Fallen HeroSephiroth, Fallen Hero - Over (3,060 decks)
45. Sin, Unending CataclysmSin, Unending Cataclysm - Over (1,210 decks)
46. G'raha Tia, Scion RebornG'raha Tia, Scion Reborn - Over (4,021 decks)
47. Noctis, Prince of LucisNoctis, Prince of Lucis - Over (8,011 decks)
48. Y'shtola, Night's BlessedY'shtola, Night's Blessed - Over (44,163 decks)
49. Kefka, Court MageKefka, Court Mage - Can't-Miss Pick (26,348 decks)
50. Cloud, Ex-SOLDIERCloud, Ex-SOLDIER - Can't-Miss Pick (25,964 decks)
51. Tifa, Martial ArtistTifa, Martial Artist - Over (6,549 decks)
52. Choco, Seeker of ParadiseChoco, Seeker of Paradise - Over (17,468 decks)
53. Tidus, Yuna's GuardianTidus, Yuna's Guardian - Over (17,730 decks)
54. Yuna, Grand SummonerYuna, Grand Summoner - Over (9,412 decks)
55. Sin, Spira's PunishmentSin, Spira's Punishment - Over (5,531 decks)
56. Celes, Rune KnightCeles, Rune Knight - Over (10,265 decks)
57. Terra, Herald of HopeTerra, Herald of Hope - Over (16,280 decks)
58. Terra, Magical AdeptTerra, Magical Adept - Over (16,968 decks)
59. The Wandering MinstrelThe Wandering Minstrel - Over (17,340 decks)
60. Adelbert SteinerAdelbert Steiner - Under (494 decks)
61. Ambrosia WhiteheartAmbrosia Whiteheart - Under (79 decks)
62. Ashe, Princess of DalmascaAshe, Princess of Dalmasca - Under (125 decks)
63. Auron, Venerated GuardianAuron, Venerated Guardian - Under (217 decks)
64. Cyan, Vengeful SamuraiCyan, Vengeful Samurai - Under (127 decks)
65. Elena, Turk RecruitElena, Turk Recruit - Under (78 decks)
66. G'raha TiaG'raha Tia - Under (33 decks)
67. Gatta and LuzzuGatta and Luzzu - Under (32 decks)
68. General Leo CristopheGeneral Leo Cristophe - Under (30 decks)
69. Lord Jyscal GuadoLord Jyscal Guado - Under (56 decks)
70. Rosa, Resolute White MageRosa, Resolute White Mage - Under (117 decks)
71. Snow VilliersSnow Villiers - Under (76 decks)
72. Thancred WatersThancred Waters - Under (53 decks)
73. Zack FairZack Fair - Under (250 decks)
74. Jill, Shiva's DominantJill, Shiva's Dominant - Under (766 decks)
75. Lulu, Stern GuardianLulu, Stern Guardian - Under (877 decks)
76. O'aka, Traveling MerchantO'aka, Traveling Merchant - Under (160 decks)
77. Quistis TrepeQuistis Trepe - Under (224 decks)
78. Ultimecia, Temporal ThreatUltimecia, Temporal Threat - Under (222 decks)
79. Ultros, Obnoxious OctopusUltros, Obnoxious Octopus - Under (358 decks)
80. Fang, Fearless l'CieFang, Fearless l'Cie - Under (45 decks)
81. Gaius van BaelsarGaius van Baelsar - Under (44 decks)
82. Interceptor, Shadow's HoundInterceptor, Shadow's Hound - Under (48 decks)
83. Jecht, Reluctant GuardianJecht, Reluctant Guardian - Under (225 decks)
84. Kain, Traitorous DragoonKain, Traitorous Dragoon - Under (1,078 decks)
85. Reno and RudeReno and Rude - Under (97 decks)
86. Seymour FluxSeymour Flux - Under (44 decks)
87. Siegfried, Famed SwordsmanSiegfried, Famed Swordsman - Under (86 decks)
88. Avalanche of Sector 7Avalanche of Sector 7 - Under (215 decks)
89. Barret WallaceBarret Wallace - Under (82 decks)
90. Cait Sith, Fortune TellerCait Sith, Fortune Teller - Under (317 decks)
91. Firion, Wild Rose WarriorFirion, Wild Rose Warrior - Under (729 decks)
92. Gogo, Mysterious MimeGogo, Mysterious Mime - Under (883 decks)
93. Lightning, Security SergeantLightning, Security Sergeant - Under (97 decks)
94. Prompto ArgentumPrompto Argentum - Under (108 decks)
95. Raubahn, Bull of Ala MhigoRaubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo - Under (376 decks)
96. Sabin, Master MonkSabin, Master Monk - Under (477 decks)
97. Yuffie, Materia HunterYuffie, Materia Hunter - Under (187 decks)
98. Zell DinchtZell Dincht - Under (947 decks)
99. Diamond WeaponDiamond Weapon - Under (639 decks)
100. Professor HojoProfessor Hojo - Under (417 decks)
101. Quina, Qu GourmetQuina, Qu Gourmet - Under (956 decks)
102. Torgal, A Fine HoundTorgal, A Fine Hound - Under (989 decks)
103. Krile BaldesionKrile Baldesion - Under (424 decks)
104. Tidus, Blitzball StarTidus, Blitzball Star - Under (866 decks)
105. Locke ColeLocke Cole - Under (149 decks)
106. Xande, Dark MageXande, Dark Mage - Under (298 decks)
107. Garland, Knight of CorneliaGarland, Knight of Cornelia - Under (552 decks)
108. Rinoa HeartillyRinoa Heartilly - Under (354 decks)
109. Serah FarronSerah Farron - Under (1,186 decks)
110. Wakka, Devoted GuardianWakka, Devoted Guardian - Under (316 decks)
111. Judge Magister GabranthJudge Magister Gabranth - Under (540 decks)
112. Papalymo TotolymoPapalymo Totolymo - Under (773 decks)
113. Rufus ShinraRufus Shinra - Under (163 decks)
114. Shantotto, Tactician MagicianShantotto, Tactician Magician - Under (649 decks)
115. Cloud of DarknessCloud of Darkness - Under (57 decks)
116. Exdeath, Void WarlockExdeath, Void Warlock - Under (1,028 decks)
117. Vanille, Cheerful l'CieVanille, Cheerful l'Cie - Under (52 decks)
118. Banon, the Returners' LeaderBanon, the Returners' Leader - Under (133 decks)
119. Edgar, Master MachinistEdgar, Master Machinist - Under (239 decks)
120. Giott, King of the DwarvesGiott, King of the Dwarves - Under (665 decks)
121. Ignis ScientiaIgnis Scientia - Under (221 decks)
122. Kimahri, Valiant GuardianKimahri, Valiant Guardian - Under (876 decks)
123. Omega, Heartless EvolutionOmega, Heartless Evolution - Under (807 decks)

Incorrect Picks

1. Beatrix, Loyal GeneralBeatrix, Loyal General - Over Under (199 decks)
2. Cid, Freeflier PilotCid, Freeflier Pilot - Over Under (93 decks)
3. Heidegger, Shinra ExecutiveHeidegger, Shinra Executive - Over Under (108 decks)
4. Stiltzkin, Moogle MerchantStiltzkin, Moogle Merchant - Over Under (1,979 decks)
5. Edgar, King of FigaroEdgar, King of Figaro - Over Under (175 decks)
6. Hermes, Overseer of ElpisHermes, Overseer of Elpis - Over Under (1,195 decks)
7. Hraesvelgr of the First BroodHraesvelgr of the First Brood - Over Under (286 decks)
8. Matoya, Archon ElderMatoya, Archon Elder - Over Under (1,161 decks)
9. Rikku, Resourceful GuardianRikku, Resourceful Guardian - Over Under (306 decks)
10. Shadow, Mysterious AssassinShadow, Mysterious Assassin - Over Under (692 decks)
11. Freya CrescentFreya Crescent - Over Under (570 decks)
12. Gau, Feral YouthGau, Feral Youth - Over Under (477 decks)
13. Queen BrahneQueen Brahne - Over Under (198 decks)
14. Seifer AlmasySeifer Almasy - Over Under (445 decks)
15. Strago and RelmStrago and Relm - Over Under (257 decks)
16. Umaro, Raging YetiUmaro, Raging Yeti - Over Under (139 decks)
17. Vaan, Street ThiefVaan, Street Thief - Over Under (1,121 decks)
18. Bartz and BokoBartz and Boko - Over Under (171 decks)
19. Bugenhagen, Wise ElderBugenhagen, Wise Elder - Over Under (513 decks)
20. Maester SeymourMaester Seymour - Over Under (178 decks)
21. Sazh KatzroySazh Katzroy - Over Under (235 decks)
22. Tromell, Seymour's ButlerTromell, Seymour's Butler - Over Under (454 decks)
23. The Warring TriadThe Warring Triad - Over Under (207 decks)
24. Cid, Timeless ArtificerCid, Timeless Artificer - Over Under (1,130 decks)
25. Urianger AugureltUrianger Augurelt - Over Under (1,037 decks)
26. Ultimecia, Time SorceressUltimecia, Time Sorceress - Over Under (740 decks)
27. Locke, Treasure HunterLocke, Treasure Hunter - Over Under (1,032 decks)
28. Barret, Avalanche LeaderBarret, Avalanche Leader - Over Under (541 decks)
29. Gladiolus AmicitiaGladiolus Amicitia - Over Under (834 decks)
30. Red XIII, Proud WarriorRed XIII, Proud Warrior - Over Under (315 decks)
31. Shelinda, Yevon AcolyteShelinda, Yevon Acolyte - Over Under (198 decks)
32. Estinien VarlineauEstinien Varlineau - Over Under (961 decks)
33. Hildibrand MandervilleHildibrand Manderville - Over Under (905 decks)
34. Fandaniel, Telophoroi AscianFandaniel, Telophoroi Ascian - Under Over (1,394 decks)
35. Rydia, Summoner of MistRydia, Summoner of Mist - Under Over (1,436 decks)
36. Cecil, Dark KnightCecil, Dark Knight - Under Over (2,452 decks)
37. Squall, SeeD MercenarySquall, SeeD Mercenary - Under Over (6,727 decks)
38. The Emperor of PalameciaThe Emperor of Palamecia - Under Over (5,313 decks)
39. Zidane, Tantalus ThiefZidane, Tantalus Thief - Under Over (2,831 decks)

My Final Fantasy Correct Prediction Percentage: 76%

My Overall Correct Prediction Percentage: 74%

Trending down from previous sets, so let's see if we rallied in Edge of Eternities. See you then!