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A core aspect of the charm within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion numerous cards depict familiar narratives. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a glimpse of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose signature move is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules reflect this perfectly. These kinds of storytelling is widespread in the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. Several serve as somber reminders of emotional events fans still mull over decades later.

"Powerful tales are a central component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a lead designer for the project. "We built some general rules, but in the end, it was primarily on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair card isn't a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the set's most refined pieces of narrative design via mechanics. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's core gameplay elements. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the tale will quickly recognize the emotional weight behind it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the alignment of good) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another unit you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This design depicts a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates just as hard here, communicated solely through rules text. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Moment

A bit of history, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of testing, the pair break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They finally make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the abilities essentially let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword is a a strong piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an artifact card. In combination, these three cards unfold in this way: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to prevent the damage completely. This allows you to do this at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards at no cost. This is exactly the kind of experience alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Central Interaction

However, the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends past just this combo. The Jenova card appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card does not depict his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked location where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you reenact the legacy for yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the franchise for many fans.