Table of Contents
The Final Fantasy Limit Break precon is not your typical Equipment deck, and that’s exactly why it’s so exciting.
Normally you'd expect Equipment-focused decks from Boros (Red and White), as that's been the classic colour combo for this strategy. But Limit Break mixes things up with Naya colours, adding Green into the mix.
More interestingly, this isn’t your typical Voltron-style build. Those decks usually load a single creature (often your commander) with gear to swing in for massive damage. Limit Break plays differently.
To understand why, let’s take a look at…
The Commanders
[[Cloud, Ex-Soldier]] is the face of the deck:
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/2/cloud-ex-soldier
Cloud encourages going wide, not tall. He rewards you with card draw when multiple equipped creatures attack. If Cloud has 7 or more power, you also create a Treasure.
So you want to spread the Equipment love across your whole board — not just stack it on Cloud.
The alternate commander is [[Tifa, Martial Artist]]:
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/225/tifa-martial-artist
Tifa cares about 7-power creatures too. If one connects in combat, you get an extra combat phase. While you can’t chain them infinitely, it can turn a borderline swing into lethal damage, especially with cards like [[Unnatural Growth]] or Double Strike.
But enough about the leaders. Let's dive into the upgrades.
The idea remains the same: 10 upgrades for under £10. No need to dust off the [[Currency Convertor]]. This is a budget-friendly power-up.
Upgrade 1
IN: Akiri, Fearless Voyager
https://scryfall.com/card/znr/220/akiri-fearless-voyager
Akiri brings two key abilities to the table:
Draws a card whenever equipped creatures attack.
Can unattach Equipment to give indestructible.
She’s both a draw engine and a protective piece. A great addition to a deck that wants to go wide with Equipment.
OUT: Armory Automaton
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/336/armory-automaton
Armory Automaton is a great card in Voltron decks, but less so here. Limit Break isn’t focused on stacking all Equipment onto one creature. We’re aiming to go wide, and Automaton just doesn’t pull its weight.
Upgrade 2
IN: Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith
https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/576/toggo-goblin-weaponsmith
Toggo creates Rock Equipment tokens whenever lands enter. These tokens are perfect fodder to equip onto creatures and trigger Cloud’s card draw.
Cheap, repeatable Equipment generation that fits perfectly with our strategy.
OUT: Explorer's Scope
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/344/explorers-scope
Explorer’s Scope is outdated and unreliable. If it misses on a land, it does nothing. With better ramp and better triggers already in the deck, it’s safe to replace it.
Upgrade 3
IN: Blackblade Reforged
https://scryfall.com/card/dom/211/blackblade-reforged
Cloud gets bonus [[Treasure tokens]] if his power is 7 or more. Blackblade Reforged helps hit that threshold easily and scales into the late game.
It also equips to legendary creatures for just {3}, which is ideal given how many the deck runs.
OUT: Mask of Memory
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/350/mask-of-memory
Drawing two and discarding one looks decent, but it only triggers on combat damage. We’re already leaning on Cloud for consistent draw, and this just isn’t impactful enough anymore.
Upgrade 4
IN: Bruenor Battlehammer
https://scryfall.com/card/afr/337/bruenor-battlehammer
Bruenor lets you equip your first piece of gear each turn for free. A huge mana saver.
He also gives each creature +2/+0 for each Equipment attached. That can get out of hand quickly, especially on Cloud.
OUT: Harmonize
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/308/harmonize
A solid draw spell in Green, but redundant here. Cloud handles draw better and synergizes with the deck’s core theme.
Upgrade 5
IN: Bloodforged Battle-Axe
https://scryfall.com/card/c17/50/bloodforged-battle-axe
Bloodforged Battle-Axe copies itself on every successful hit. That means exponential value in Equipment. More triggers for Cloud, more power for your board.
OUT: Skullclamp
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/355/skullclamp
Broken in token decks. Mediocre here. We lack 1-toughness creatures or token generators, so Skullclamp just ends up being inefficient.
Upgrade 6
IN: Swiftfoot Boots
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/361/swiftfoot-boots
Protection and haste on a stick. Unlike [[Lightning Greaves]], Swiftfoot Boots doesn’t lock you out of future equips.
It should’ve been included from the start.
OUT: Hero's Heirloom
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/346/heros-heirloom
Trample is nice, haste is unnecessary on Cloud, and Swiftfoot Boots offers far better protection. An easy upgrade.
Upgrade 7
IN: Forge Anew
https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/17/forge-anew
Forge Anew is a triple-threat value piece:
Recursion for a fallen Equipment
Free first equip every turn
Instant-speed equip timing
This means you can not only reanimate key gear, but also reactively equip in combat — even in response to removal.
OUT: Aerith, Last Ancient
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/76/aerith-last-ancient
Aerith is a life-gain-dependent recursion engine, but there’s too much setup needed to make her reliable. We don’t have enough life gain or support to make her ability consistent, so she’s better left out for now.
Upgrade 8
IN: Masterwork of Ingenuity
https://scryfall.com/card/pip/234/masterwork-of-ingenuity
Copy the best Equipment on the battlefield for just {1}. That includes your own or even your opponents’. Just be cautious with legendary gear — you can’t control both copies.
OUT: Helitrooper
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/22/helitrooper
A flying support creature that initially looks better than it is. The equip discount only applies to itself, and that’s too limited in this strategy. There are better ways to get evasion and value.
Upgrade 9
IN: Sram, Senior Edificer
https://scryfall.com/card/aer/23/sram-senior-edificer
Sram adds back some draw power without being greedy. He triggers on 17 spells in the deck and always draws on cast, meaning even countered spells don’t hurt your card economy.
OUT: Secret Rendezvous
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/253/secret-rendezvous
Giving your opponent cards is never ideal. Even for three of your own. While it can be used politically, it’s generally not worth it unless you're desperate. Better to draw without giving your rivals an edge.
Upgrade 10
IN: Brass Knuckles
https://scryfall.com/card/snc/234/brass-knuckles
This is a solid way to double-dip on Equipment value. Brass Knuckles gives double strike if a creature has two or more Equipment attached, and it even creates a second copy of itself when it enters.
That’s two Equipment with one card. Exactly what Cloud wants.
OUT: Decimate
https://scryfall.com/card/fic/323/decimate
Four-for-one removal sounds great, until you realize it needs four valid targets to even be cast. That makes it awkward and unreliable. Sometimes it’ll just rot in hand. Out it goes.
Final Thoughts
I’m really enjoying the direction these Final Fantasy precons are taking. The mana bases are solid, the new cards are exciting, and there’s a lot of flexibility in how you upgrade them.
Limit Break offers a fresh twist on Equipment decks. Rather than going tall and trying to one-shot people, it spreads the power across your whole board and rewards teamwork.
PS: All cards were under budget at the time of writing. Prices may have shifted since.
Non-budget Upgrades
Looking for even more upgrades? Try these 10 cards that didn't meet our budget requirement, but synergise with this deck:
https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/384/sigardas-aid
https://scryfall.com/card/pip/14/codsworth-handy-helper
https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/388/hammer-of-nazahn
https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/31/stoneforge-mystic
https://scryfall.com/card/pip/105/inventory-management
https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/20/danitha-capashen-paragon
https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/290/reyav-master-smith
https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/59/steelshapers-gift
https://scryfall.com/card/lci/232/kutzil-malamet-exemplar
https://scryfall.com/card/acr/72/excalibur-sword-of-eden
If you’re looking to pick up commander decks, booster boxes or anything Magic: The Gathering, you’ll find it all right here at Gathering Games.
Until next time — good luck and have fun!
