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A core element of the allure within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner numerous cards narrate well-known tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a portrait of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose key technique is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The abilities represent this with subtlety. This type of narrative is widespread in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and some are not joyful stories. Several serve as poignant echoes of sad moments fans still mull over decades later.

"Powerful narratives are a vital part of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a principal designer on the collaboration. "The team established some overarching principles, but finally, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card is not a top-tier card, it is one of the release's most elegant examples of flavor through gameplay. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments brilliantly, all while leveraging some of the product's key systems. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the saga will instantly understand the emotional weight behind it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

For one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. By paying one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an Equipment, onto that other creature.

These mechanics depicts a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits with equal force here, expressed entirely 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 context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to look after his companion. They finally make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the abilities essentially let you relive this entire sequence. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 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 equipment card. Together, these pieces function in this way: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the way Zack’s signature action is structured, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to prevent the damage entirely. This allows you to perform this action at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a strong 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction meant when talking about “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Central Synergy

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches beyond just these cards. The Jenova card is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a subtle connection, but one that cleverly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to reenact the moment for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You transfer the legacy on. And for a brief second, while playing a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the series ever made.