After the massive commercial success of Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy crossover, which shattered preorder records before the full set was even revealed, it’s clear that Universes Beyond is no longer just an experiment—it’s the future of MTG’s expansion strategy. Final Fantasy didn’t just surpass expectations; it eclipsed past crossover sets like The Lord of the Rings and Modern Horizons 2, setting a new benchmark for what a media tie-in can achieve within the game.
Given this momentum, it’s easy to speculate which franchises Wizards of the Coast might look to next. Below are 10 properties that are ripe for the Universes Beyond treatment, combining deep lore, iconic characters, and enthusiastic fandoms with mechanics that could naturally blend into MTG gameplay.
10. Mistborn Trilogy – The Shardworlds Await
📚 Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why It Fits: Sanderson is a long-time Magic fan and has even contributed fiction to the game (Children of the Nameless). The Mistborn trilogy’s metal-based Allomancy system translates perfectly into Magic mechanics—think spells tied to different metals and synergies akin to energy or artifact-focused sets.
Design Potential:
•Allomancy as keyword abilities (e.g., ingesting metal cards from the graveyard for boosts)
•Ashfall world-building, fitting MTG’s love of desolate, mysterious landscapes
•Planeswalkers based on Kelsier, Vin, and the Lord Ruler
9. Star Trek – Engage Your Mana
🪐 Franchise Owner: Paramount
Why It Fits: Magic’s growing comfort with sci-fi (Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, Fallout, Doctor Who) makes Star Trek a logical next step. Though Star Wars is off-limits due to its own TCG, Star Trek is wide open—and its mix of tech, diplomacy, and existential threats could yield a very unique Magic experience.
Design Potential:
•Federation vs. Klingon vs. Romulan factions
•Phaser mechanics as direct-damage instants
•Space exploration mechanics using “map” tokens or special zones
•Legendary creatures like Picard, Janeway, and Data
8. Resident Evil – Survival Horror in Card Form
🧟♂️ Franchise Owner: Capcom
Why It Fits: Horror is a proven success in MTG with sets like Innistrad and the upcoming Duskmourn. Resident Evil brings a modern twist to Magic’s gothic horror roots with its mix of science-gone-wrong, mutations, and viral outbreaks.
Design Potential:
•Creature types like Zombie, Mutant, Horror, and Insect
•Mechanics like Infect or Decay that align perfectly with the T-virus lore
•Memes turned mechanics, like “Jill Sandwich” creating Food tokens
•Boss-fight enchantments mimicking Nemesis or Tyrant
7. Demon Slayer – Mana Meets Manga
🎴 Franchise Owner: Shueisha
Why It Fits: Anime has flirted with MTG (Final Fantasy, Hatsune Miku), but a fully anime-centric set is still uncharted territory. Demon Slayer’s elemental breathing techniques and clear hero-villain dynamics are made for Magic’s spell system.
Design Potential:
•Breathing Styles as modal instants/sorceries with unique effects
•Sword-based combat and tribal synergy, especially for Humans or Samurai
•Demon tribal mechanics, perhaps with regeneration or rebirth abilities
•Planeswalker-style cards for Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hashira
6. Game of Thrones – Political Magic
🏰 Franchise Owner: HBO
Why It Fits: Despite its polarizing final season, Game of Thrones remains deeply rooted in fantasy culture. With House of the Dragon rekindling interest in Westeros, the timing is right. The political intrigue and massive cast align well with MTG’s legendary creature system.
Design Potential:
•Commander decks for each major House (Stark, Lannister, Martell, Targaryen, etc.)
•Mechanics like Monarch, Conspiracy, and dethrone could make a comeback
•Winter-based spells (Snow mana?) and Zombie tokens from the White Walkers
•Planeswalker-style cards for Daenerys, Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Arya
Honorable Mentions: Other Universes That Could Break Magic
5. Elder Scrolls
•A fantasy RPG titan. Deep lore, magic schools, and races like Khajiit and Argonians could thrive in MTG form.
4. The Witcher
•Already a card game in Gwent, but its alchemy, monster-slaying, and moral gray areas offer unique mechanical space.
3. Bloodborne or Dark Souls
•Grim, gothic horror with a hardcore edge. Perfect for Black and Red deck fans.
2. Bioshock
•A steampunk dystopia under the sea. Great fit for Blue and artifact-heavy builds.
1. Hades (Supergiant Games)
•Stylish, mythological, and card-ready characters. Multiple god archetypes + escape from death = Magic goldmine.
🔮 The Future of Universes Beyond
If Final Fantasy proved anything, it’s that Magic’s audience is ready and eager for bold, unexpected crossovers. As long as the gameplay remains authentic and the integration is respectful, there’s virtually no limit to what Universes Beyond can tackle next.
Whether you’re into starships, steelborn rebels, zombies, or ancient houses vying for a throne—Magic might be coming to your favorite fandom soon.