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A major element of the appeal within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion so many cards narrate familiar tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose key technique is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The card's mechanics reflect this perfectly. Such storytelling is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not fun and games. Some are somber callbacks of emotional events fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Moving stories are a central component of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a senior designer for the collaboration. "We built some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a card-by-card basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card isn't a top-tier card, it represents one of the collection's most refined examples of narrative design by way of gameplay. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the set's core gameplay elements. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the tale will immediately grasp the emotional weight embedded in it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This design paints a scene FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it lands powerfully here, conveyed solely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

Some necessary backstory, and here is your *FF7* warning: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the friends break free. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to take care of his companion. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the role of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the rules effectively let you relive this entire sequence. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of equipment in the set that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an weapon card. Together, these pieces play out in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack altogether. So you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two spells at no cost. This is just the kind of moment referred to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Beyond the Main Synergy

But the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes beyond just these cards. The Jenova card appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that subtly connects 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 memorable bluff where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the weapon on. And for a brief second, while engaged in a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the saga to date.