MTG’s Crazy Cards: The Explosive Growth of [Cloud, Midgar Mercenary] Equipment Decks and Market Trends

The release of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set has caused a major price spike for some cards in the Magic: The Gathering secondary market. Cloud Midgar Mercenary, the iconic protagonist of Final Fantasy VII, has become a popular new commander, shining a spotlight on these old cards and driving demand sharply upward.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners:

Codsworth, Handy Helper

Codsworth, Handy Helper

• Old Price: ¥1,200

• Recent Price: ¥3,000

• Why the spike: This card is prized in Cloud decks for its efficient equipment tutoring and utility. The limited Fallout printing made it especially scarce, boosting demand and price.

Halvar, God of Battle

• Old Price: ¥2,700

• Recent Price: ¥4,500

• Why the spike: Halvar’s equip ability and creature support perfectly complement Cloud’s strategy. Scarcity from its single Kaldheim printing further increased prices.

Steelshaper's Gift

Steelshaper's Gift

• Old Price: ¥700

• Recent Price: ¥1,500

• Why the spike: Known as one of the best artifact tutors for equipment, this card rose sharply due to Cloud’s popularity and the need for consistent equipment searches.

These cards are highly popular in the new equipment-focused Cloud decks. The scarcity of the cards themselves and the excitement around this special Final Fantasy and Magic crossover are major reasons for the sharp price increases.

The crazy/broken cards from Final Fantasy are not limited to Cloud alone. There are many other popular cards as well. For example, Vivi Ornitier, is one such card.

Personal Opinion

Honestly, I’m not a big fan of equipment decks myself. I often feel that spending mana to cast and equip artifacts can put you at a disadvantage, especially against faster opponents. It sometimes seems risky to invest so much into setup that can be wiped away by one board clear.