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A core part of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion countless cards depict well-known tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose key technique is a fancy shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities represent this perfectly. These kinds of flavor is widespread throughout the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all fun and games. Several are heartbreaking reminders of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Powerful narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a principal game designer on the set. "We built some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a individual basis."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the release's most clever examples of storytelling through gameplay. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal cinematic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the expansion's central mechanics. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the story will instantly understand the emotional weight embedded in it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the alignment of good) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. By paying one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to give another creature you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics depicts a scene FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it lands with equal force here, expressed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended experimentation, the pair get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to look after his comrade. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you reenact this entire event. The Buster Sword is a a strong piece of equipment in the set that requires three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an artifact card. Together, these pieces unfold in this way: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the damage completely. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a strong 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two spells for free. This is precisely the kind of moment meant when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Obvious Synergy

However, the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a tiny nod, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the memorable bluff where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You hand over the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the franchise ever made.