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A significant part of the appeal found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way so many cards depict iconic narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the protagonist at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose secret weapon is a unique shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The abilities reflect this with subtlety. This type of narrative is prevalent in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and some are not fun and games. Some serve as poignant callbacks of sad moments fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful narratives are a vital part of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a senior game designer on the collaboration. "The team established some overarching principles, but in the end, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card isn't a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the set's most clever instances of storytelling via rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the product's central gameplay elements. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the saga will quickly recognize the emotional weight within it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one mana of white (the alignment of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another unit you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics paints a sequence FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, conveyed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

A bit of backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After years of imprisonment, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to protect his companion. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the abilities in essence let you relive this whole event. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of gear in the collection that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards function as follows: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the manner Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the attack entirely. So you can do this at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two spells for free. This is just the kind of moment meant when talking about “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design trigger the recollection.

More Than the Obvious Combo

However, the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends past just these cards. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a small nod, but one that subtly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to reenact the passing for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You pass the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the series ever made.