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A major element of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way numerous cards tell iconic tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this with subtlety. Such flavor is found across the entire Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. Several serve as heartbreaking echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Emotional narratives are a key element of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a senior designer on the project. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the set's most clever instances of storytelling through mechanics. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's key gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the significance behind it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the alignment of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with 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 creature you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

This card depicts a moment FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates with equal force here, expressed completely through rules text. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Scene

A bit of history, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. After years of experimentation, the friends get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to look after his companion. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the abilities effectively let you relive this entire event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards function as follows: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the damage completely. Therefore, you can perform this action at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards for free. This is just the kind of moment meant when discussing “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Extending Past the Obvious Interaction

But the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it extends further than just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle reference, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

The card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to recreate the passing personally. You perform the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a brief second, while engaged in a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the franchise to date.