Cloud, Midgar MercenaryCloud, Midgar Mercenary | Art by Kazto Furuya

Welcome, fellow Final Fantasy fans. I'm thrilled to discuss the iconic video game character, Cloud Strife, with you. As an avid player of Final Fantasy VII in the late 1990s, it's exciting to see beloved Final Fantasy characters on Magic: The Gathering cards. Though we could talk about each Cloud card in MTG's Final Fantasy (FIN), I'd like to focus this deck tech on Cloud, Midgar MercenaryCloud, Midgar Mercenary.

At the beginning of Final Fantasy VII, Cloud joins a covert mission in Midgar as a mercenary for hire. Events that occur during the mission set the stage for an incredible adventure. Additionally, the artwork on Cloud, Midgar Mercenary is reminiscent of Cloud's battles throughout Midgar in the early part of the game. Does Cloud, Midgar Mercenary's artwork evoke nostalgic vibes for you?

What Does Cloud, Midgar Mercenary Do?

Concerning MTG, Cloud, Midgar Mercenary provides a ton of value for . Upon entering the battlefield, Cloud, Midgar Mercenary mimics Stoneforge MysticStoneforge Mystic's Equipment-fetching ability. Not to be outdone by Stoneforge Mystic, Cloud, Midgar Mercenary provides another helpful ability. While having Cloud, Midgar Mercenary equipped, if an ability of Cloud or an Equipment attached to it triggers, that ability triggers an additional time.

For example, when Bloodforged Battle-AxeBloodforged Battle-Axe is attached to Cloud, Midgar Mercenary, you receive two token copies of Bloodforged Battle-Axe upon dealing combat damage.

Although Cloud, Midgar Mercenary is an impressive mono-white commander, it's not the only choice for leading an Equipment-themed deck. You have the pleasure of choosing other legendary creatures like Balan, Wandering KnightBalan, Wandering Knight, Kemba, Kha RegentKemba, Kha Regent, and Sram, Senior EdificerSram, Senior Edificer. Thankfully, Cloud, Midgar Mercenary's abilities offer an alternative play experience from its peers.

Wizards of the Coast designed Cloud, Midgar Mercenary for one purpose: equip Cloud with a Buster SwordBuster Sword and go wild. This deck tech will bring that purpose to life by focusing on a Voltron strategy built around Cloud. It's also hard to resist getting two triggered abilities from Equipment. Granted, not all Equipment cards in the 99 need a triggered ability, but many should. Let's dive into some key cards to support Cloud, Midgar Mercenary.

Key Cards for Cloud, Midgar Mercenary

Mirran Swords

For starters, Cloud, Midgar Mercenary must be the most omnipotent force on the battlefield. Achieving this goal requires suiting him with value-generating Equipment like Buster Sword. Fortunately, a slew of magical swords are at the ready! MTG's Mirran swords are fantastic deck additions since Cloud can double their triggered abilities.

While you don't need to run all ten Swords, you should contemplate including a handful. I'd suggest prioritizing Sword of Feast and FamineSword of Feast and Famine, Sword of Fire and IceSword of Fire and Ice, and Sword of Forge and FrontierSword of Forge and Frontier above the rest. Feast and Famine is self-explanatory; untapping all of your lands twice is insane. I like Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of Forge and Frontier because their abilities are scarce on white cards. Just be careful running Mirran swords with protection from white. It would be a shame to detach a white-colored Equipment or unsuspectingly hinder Mother of RunesMother of Runes' ability.

Attack Triggers

Combat damage isn't the only way to trigger Equipment abilities. Several Equipment abilities get triggered when attacking! For instance, attacking with an equipped Sword of the AnimistSword of the Animist or Bitterthorn, Nissa's AnimusBitterthorn, Nissa's Animus will let you fetch for basic lands. Likewise, more recent sets have added attack-triggering Equipment that pair well with Cloud, Midgar Mercenary. Two such Equipment options I know you'll love are Adaptive OmnitoolAdaptive Omnitool and Pip-Boy 3000Pip-Boy 3000.

Generating extra value from the aforementioned Equipment cards is outstanding. However, it does require keeping Cloud alive on the battlefield. Luckily, you have multiple Equipment card choices to protect him from harm.

Protection

We're all aware that Mirran swords give color protection. Still, you shouldn't solely rely on them to keep Cloud safe. Commander's PlateCommander's Plate is an obvious inclusion for a mono-color deck. A more interesting choice is Silver Shroud CostumeSilver Shroud Costume. Although Silver Shroud Costume provides one-time protection, it does enable Cloud to pass through blockers. I also like having Caduceus, Staff of HermesCaduceus, Staff of Hermes in the 99, which grants insane buffs if your life total stays above 29. Lastly, don't forget about Mithril CoatMithril Coat when finalizing your defensive Equipment slots.

How Does Cloud, Midgar Mercenary Win?

I'm sure you're familiar with the typical Voltron deck strategy: deal at least 21 commander damage to each player. However, relying predominantly on Equipment cards to achieve victory can be tricky. Equipment usually costs mana to cast and additional mana to equip. Moreover, opponents can cast removal on your commander in response to equipping it. You'll need a solid game plan to grow Cloud's power and have it deal commander damage to opponents.

Mana Efficiency

Reducing the mana required to cast and attach Equipment should be part of your game plan. It's not ideal to pay full price to equip Colossus HammerColossus Hammer or Argentum ArmorArgentum Armor to any creature, let alone in the same turn. Additionally, you may need mana for a timely Restoration MagicRestoration Magic or Ultimate Magic: HolyUltimate Magic: Holy. Thankfully, there are cards like Codsworth, Handy HelperCodsworth, Handy Helper, Ardenn, Intrepid ArchaeologistArdenn, Intrepid Archaeologist, and Forge AnewForge Anew available to assist. Danitha Capashen, ParagonDanitha Capashen, Paragon is another superb cost reducer and backup choice for Cloud, Midgar Mercenary.

If you want to one-shot your opponents, improving your mana efficiency will help make it a reality.

Evasion

Another integral part of winning with this deck is evasion. You need ways to push combat damage through and around blockers. Unfortunately, Cloud doesn't inherently possess flying, trample, or other evasive abilities. Even so, there are Equipment options to solve this problem.

Fortunately, trample is an evasive keyword found on many Equipment cards. Giving Cloud trample is useful because trampling over one point of damage will trigger Mirran swords, Buster Sword, etc. As such, I've become a fan of Leyline AxeLeyline Axe. The combination of trample and double strike is fantastic. In addition, Leyline Axe gets bonus points for the chance to play for free.

Two more effective trample-enablers are Loxodon WarhammerLoxodon Warhammer and ShadowspearShadowspear. You'll want both Equipment cards because they increase Cloud's power and give it lifelink, which can keep your life total out of danger.

Fetching Equipment

While Cloud, Midgar Mercenary does come with a built-in Equipment tutor, you'll need more than one Equipment in play to succeed. Thankfully, white contains a suite of tutor cards, such as Open the ArmoryOpen the Armory and Steelshaper's GiftSteelshaper's Gift. Depending on the situation, these tutors enable you to find the specific Equipment card you need to win.

Trying to push damage through an army of creature tokens? Grab a Brotherhood RegaliaBrotherhood Regalia. Afraid of Blasphemous ActBlasphemous Act? Sword of Fire and IceSword of Fire and Ice will negate damage from red sources. It's beneficial to have Equipment cards in the library that deal with all kinds of troublesome cards your opponents may cast.

In addition, a few creatures can help you grab critical Equipment. Stonehewer GiantStonehewer Giant and Armored SkyhunterArmored Skyhunter can find and attach Equipment directly from your library. If a key piece of Equipment tragically hits the graveyard, you can utilize Cid, Freeflier PilotCid, Freeflier Pilot to get it back. White offers several search and recursion tools to make sure Cloud, Midgar Mercenary is the most significant threat on the battlefield.

Cloud, Midgar Mercenary Commander Deck List

Yes, I purposefully omitted Game Changers from the decklist. Furthermore, I wanted to highlight Cloud, Midgar Mercenary's Voltron build functionality and power level without them. However, if you're going to compete in higher Commander Bracket tiers, I'd recommend adding copies of Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection, Enlightened TutorEnlightened Tutor, and Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe.

Beyond Game Changers, there's an opportunity to improve the deck's Final Fantasy theme. I fully support swapping in cards that have nostalgic or on-theme appeal over those with raw power. Unsurprisingly, FIN provides several flavorful alternatives to support Cloud, Midgar Mercenary. In particular, Ultima WeaponUltima Weapon, Beatrix, Loyal GeneralBeatrix, Loyal General, Zack FairZack Fair, and Cloud's Limit BreakCloud's Limit Break appeal the most to me. Beatrix, Loyal General is the standout among them as its Equipment ability is splendid. Though you really can't go wrong with playing any FIN cards synergizing with Cloud. Now show your opponents who's the real final boss.