NEW Undefeated Final Fantasy Decks to TRY!
The Final Fantasy set is a great addition to Pauper because it’s a large set packed with new ideas and powerful commons. Since it introduces brand-new card types like Summons and mixes in classic Final Fantasy characters and items, it brings fresh strategies that didn’t exist before or updates previously existing ones.
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Why is Final Fantasy great for Pauper?
From cool graveyard tools like [card]Town Greeter[/card] to strong equipment like [card]Red Mage’s Rapier[/card] that can be used in Hot Dog kind of decks, the set has something for nearly every archetype.
Let’s see some examples from the most recent MTGO Pauper Leagues!
NEW Final Fantasy Undefeated Decks to Try
Golgari Swordmaster by MVanni
This deck plays a lot like Golgari Gardens, but it puts a fun twist on how it actually wins the game.
[cards]{{Black Mage's Rod}}{{Smitten Swordmaster}}[/cards]
Instead of leaning entirely on [card]Crypt Rats[/card], it adds a fresh win condition with [card]Smitten Swordmaster[/card] and [card]Black Mage’s Rod[/card], giving you a steady way to drain your opponent’s resources bit by bit. Outside of that, it still runs the usual disruption to control the board. It’s not a completely new idea, but I really like seeing players mix in both new and overlooked cards to shake things up.
Dimir Lookout Combo by Hype12232
One interesting thing about [card]Black Mage’s Rod[/card] is that it deals damage directly, which is a big deal compared to cards like [card]Pactdoll Terror[/card] that just make your opponent lose life.
[cards]{{Black Mage's Rod}}{{Tandem Lookout}}[/cards]
That small wording difference actually matters a lot—it means you can combo it with [card]Tandem Lookout[/card] to draw tons of cards. And since this deck runs a ton of non-creature spells and has great artifact support, the Rod turns into a reliable win engine that can end games faster than your opponent expects, while also keeping your life total nice and high.
Updated Undefeated Pauper Decks with Final Fantasy
Golgari Gardens by pavesito
From here on, we’re diving into existing decks that got a fresh boost thanks to new cards, so instead of breaking down full strategies, let’s focus on what these upgrades actually bring to the table.
[cards]{{Black Mage's Rod}}{{Cornered by Black Mages}}[/cards]Just a few days ago in the Ephemerate Tron article, I mentioned how decks like that often kept Golgari Gardens from becoming more popular. But with the Final Fantasy set, things are shifting. [card]Black Mage’s Rod[/card] is easily the standout hit. It’s cheap to cast, acts as a recurring threat, and can be re-equipped to different creatures to keep draining life over and over. Even in a pinch, it’s great as sacrifice fodder for cards like [card]Fanatical Offering[/card].
Then there’s [card]Cornered by Black Mages[/card], which really impressed me. It’s solid removal—but the real value comes from the fact that it also gives you a creature. That’s huge. Not only do you get rid of a threat, but now your opponent has to deal with your new body too. It creates a lopsided exchange that can be tough to come back from when done repeatedly.
Together, these two cards give Golgari-style decks something they were missing: the ability to chip away at opponents while still playing the control game. It’s a small change, but it really adds up throughout a match.
Dredge by Tyderian
While it didn’t get a massive overhaul, Jund Dredge did pick up a solid new tool in [card]Town Greeter[/card].
[cards]{{Town Greeter}}[/cards]
Compared to older options like [card]Blanchwood Prowler[/card], this one looks at an extra card when it enters, which slightly improves your chances of hitting a land instead of whiffing. That might not seem like a huge deal, but for a deck that relies on smooth land drops and graveyard setup, every little bit helps. The “Town” line of text doesn’t matter right now—but who knows, maybe one day we’ll get a strong Pauper-legal payoff that makes it relevant.
White Winnie (Chocobo Beatdown) by Yugi_Muto
One thing Pauper decks have always struggled with is finding a solid, playable anthem effect.
[cards]{{Summon: Choco/Mog}}[/cards]
Luckily, [card]Summon: Choco/Mog[/card] changes that. Not only does it boost your whole team, but it also comes with a body attached, which is a big deal in a format where efficiency matters. When you pair it with other cheap creatures, it can quickly turn a harmless-looking board into a sudden, game-ending swing.
Wrap Up
All in all, the Final Fantasy set didn’t just bring flavor—it brought real upgrades to Pauper. Whether it’s giving old decks new tools like [card]Black Mage’s Rod[/card] and [card]Town Greeter[/card], or finally delivering a solid anthem in [card]Summon: Choco/Mog[/card], these commons are making a real impact. It’s exciting to see old strategies evolve and new ones pop up, and remember, this is just a little less than a week since he new set has been released, so there’s likely a lot more to discover.
My Favorite Pauper Setup
Here are some of my favorite MTG products for Pauper—stuff I’ve tried, loved, and think you'll find super useful too.
The Amazon links use affiliate codes that help support future content if you grab something.
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