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A major element of the appeal found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way countless cards tell iconic narratives. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated sports star whose signature move is a unique shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics reflect this in nuanced ways. This type of narrative is widespread throughout the whole Final Fantasy offering, and not all joyful stories. Some are heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans remember vividly years after.

"Powerful tales are a central element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a principal designer for the collaboration. "We built some overarching principles, but finally, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card isn't a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most clever pieces of flavor via gameplay. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the expansion's core gameplay elements. And while it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the saga will instantly understand the meaning within it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s counters, along with an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

These mechanics portrays a moment FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, conveyed entirely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

A bit of context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the duo break free. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his comrade. They eventually make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the abilities essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is a a strong piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these pieces function like this: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s signature action is worded, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and activate it to prevent the damage altogether. This allows you to do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Beyond the Main Interaction

However, the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches past just this combo. The Jenova card appears in the collection 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 sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small nod, but one that cleverly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* lets you recreate the passing personally. You perform the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the saga to date.