20 Best Bird Cards for Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Bahamut" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Bahamut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/arifwijaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arif Wijaya</a></em></p>
<p><em>Final Fantasy</em> has taken over <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>, and Summons are among the most flavorful and powerful cards introduced in the set. Seeing as Summons in the actual <em>Final Fantasy</em> franchise only stick around for a few turns, having them represented as Sagas in <em>Magic</em> makes perfect sense.</p>
<p>As a “Timmy” <em>Magic </em>player, many of these Summons feel as if they were printed explicitly for me. A giant 9/9 flyer that can destroy permanents and then nukes your opponents as it dies? Yes, please! A 7/7 Giant for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with reach and trample that brings back all of your lands from the graveyard and then boosts another creature’s power and toughness equal to the number of lands you have? That works for me.</p>
<p><em>Final Fantasy</em> is both a design and sales dynamo for <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>, and with cards like these amazing Summons, it’s no wonder that the set is already <em>Magic’s</em> best-selling release of all time. So today we're ranking the ten best Summon spells in the set.</p>
<p><em>Note: While I never delved too far into the Final Fantasy video games, I did play </em>FF8 <em>when it released (that opening cinematic blew my mind as a lad), and I nearly beat </em>FFX<em>, but was derailed by a crippling <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blitzball" href="#" target="_blank">Blitzball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> addiction – even without the <a href="https://www.thegamer.com/final-fantasy-10-jecht-shot-location-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jecht shot</a>!</em></p>
<h3>10. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Ixion" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Ixion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>A 3/3 with first strike for three mana used to be a helluva deal… but those days are long gone. Now, this 3/3 first striker for three provides you with a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiend Hunter" href="#" target="_blank">Fiend Hunter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in its first chapter (exile another target creature while it’s on the battlefield). Already, that’s pretty sweet.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Ixion"></div></div>
<p>While it’s next two chapters – place a +1/+1 counter on two target creatures and gain two life – aren’t wildly powerful, they still provide you ample value for the low, low price of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>.</p>
<h3>9. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Magus Sisters" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Magus Sisters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>Sometimes the extreme power found across a wide variety of <em>Magic</em>’s most popular formats can get a bit tiresome. Sure, winning the game consistently by turn four is fun, but where’s the variety, the spice? This Summon grants something that many games of <em>Magic </em>sorely lack: randomness.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Magus Sisters"></div></div>
<p>Coming down as a hasty 5/5 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> means you can deal some damage right away, but it’s the random options that can truly swing a game: putting three +1/+1 counters on target creature, putting a shield counter on target creature and gaining three life, or fighting another target creature a foe controls. As the sisters say: “Sorry, but your quest will be over here!”</p>
<h3>8. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Yojimbo" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Yojimbo</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>A strong Summon as well as a great greeting for any of your friends named Jim, Yojimbo is a 5/5 with vigilance for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> – already a good rate – from the <em>Final Fantasy Commander</em> precons.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Yojimbo"></div></div>
<p>Its first chapter provides a situational <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, its next two chapters provide a temporary <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to help thwart “go-wide” strategies, and its final chapter lets you net some Treasure tokens so long as at least one of your opponents has a creature with power four or greater.</p>
<h3>7. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Leviathan" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Leviathan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>As previously evinced, Summons seem perfectly positioned as go-to “Timmy/Tammy” cards. Any card that mentions the sea monster creature types of <em>Magic</em> – Kraken, Leviathan, Octopus, or Serpent – are always going to be attractive to players that love the biggest, baddest beaters around.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Leviathan"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Leviathan" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Leviathan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in particular, is extremely potent in such builds as it delivers a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whelming Wave" href="#" target="_blank">Whelming Wave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for its first chapter and then draws you a card whenever one of those creatures attacks (a trigger for each one, that is). To add to the fun, this card also works well in Merfolk strategies and has built-in protection thanks to having ward <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. What’s not to like?</p>
<h3>6. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Good King Mog XII" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Good King Mog XII</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>One of the finest additions that <em>Final Fantasy</em> has made to the world of <em>Magic </em>is the inclusion of Moogles as a playable creature type. These adorable little marshmallows are featured throughout the set, though they don’t have quite the support that Chocobos/Birds received upon release.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Good King Mog XII"></div></div>
<p>This five-mana Saga Moogle (a fun phrase to say) creates two 1/2 Moogle tokens with lifelink in its first chapter, then can duplicate any non-Saga token you control in its next two chapters. Its final chapter gives a Moogle “lord” payoff by tacking on two +1/+1 counters to all Moogles you control before it exits the battlefield. A strong Moogle payoff, and an extremely cute creature “lord.”</p>
<h3>5. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Brynhildr" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Brynhildr</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>Of course, a Summon exists that looks like it will be a strong addition to the mono-red Aggro decks that have long been eminently attractive options in Standard. This 2/1 for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> provides an “impulse draw” that you can play for as long as the card has lore counters on it – so roughly three turns – for its first chapter. Early card advantage is eminently important for mono-red decks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Brynhildr"></div></div>
<p>Then, for its final two chapters, the next creature spell you play gains haste – which can provide some stunning surprise attacks and delivers yet more ammo for mono-red strategies (or Jeskai Prowess strategies) to run roughshod over Standard for the foreseeable future.</p>
<h3>4. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Knights of Round" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Knights of Round</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>One of the rarest Summons in <em>Final Fantasy VII</em>, this eight-mana 3/3 with indestructible sticks around for four turns, producing a 2/2 white Knight creature (though not a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="White Knight" href="#" target="_blank">White Knight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) for each of its first four chapters.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Knights of Round"></div></div>
<p>Then, for its fifth chapter, it gives all of your other creatures a +2/+2 boost as well as the real kicker, indestructible counters – which stick around, making your entire team pretty tough to defeat. While the price point of this splashy 3/3 Saga Knight is high (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-6" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>), the payoff is well worth it.</p>
<h3>3. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>Now we’re getting to the good stuff. In the <em>Final Fantasy</em> games, Titan is found across a number of entries in the franchise as a strong, high damage-dealing bruiser. In <em>Magic</em>, that same logic applies, as this green powerhouse already comes in at an incredibly good rate: <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for a 7/7 with both reach and trample – a strong creature in its own right.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Titan"></div></div>
<p>But when you tack on milling synergies in its first chapter, returning all lands from your graveyard to the battlefield in the second chapter and another target creature getting +X/+X equal to the number of lands you control in the final chapter, you’ve got the makings of a top-flight game-finisher and yet another example of Summons being playgrounds for the Timmys/Tammys of the world (like me).</p>
<h3>2. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Primal Odin" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Primal Odin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>Speaking of big, flashy Summons and cards that scream Timmy/Tammy, how does a creature with the text “Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player loses the game” sound?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Primal Odin"></div></div>
<p>While <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> is pretty steep for a 5/3 creature, when it enters, its first chapter destroys target creature a foe controls, its second chapter is the “your foe loses the game” one, which is obviously awesome, and the third chapter draws you two cards and forces all players to lose two life. Wouldn’t it be funny if your foe survived the second chapter and then fell to the third one?</p>
<h3>1. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Bahamut" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Bahamut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>You could see where this was going. So far, most Summons have been massively high-powered, splashy, and downright fun cards that make a huge impact on the game both as soon as they’re cast as well as during each of their powerhouse chapters. No Summon card from <em>Final Fantasy</em> defines this quite like the 9/9 flyer for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-9" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Bahamut" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Bahamut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Bahamut"></div></div>
<p>A tremendously powerful card with four strong chapters, this card can easily win the game for you on its own, especially in Commander if you’re running a dedicated colorless build that’s full of high-mana colorless bombs like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ugin, the Spirit Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Ugin, the Spirit Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or Eldrazi Titans. Eminently flavorful and game-warping, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Bahamut" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Bahamut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the ideal of what a Summon card should be in <em>Final Fantasy.</em></p>
<h2><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXE3NNaiks&amp;pp=ygUMaSBzdW1tb24geW91" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I Summon You</a> Here to My Game</h2>
<p><em>Final Fantasy</em> might end up being not just the highest-selling <em>Magic</em> set of all time, but also the most popular. Combining the <em>Final Fantasy</em> franchise with the original trading card game was always going to make this release a mega-hit. The fact that many of the cards within, such as Summons, are so well designed only adds to the set’s appeal and overall success.</p>
<p><strong>Read More:</strong></p>
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<li><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/20-best-zombie-cards-for-commander">20 Best Zombie Cards for Commander</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/final-fantasy-through-the-ages-reprint-review/">Final Fantasy Through the Ages Reprint Review</a></li>
</ul>


Chris Guest

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