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A core aspect of the charm within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion countless cards depict well-known stories. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules reflect this with subtlety. Such flavor is found throughout the whole Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. Some serve as somber callbacks of tragedies fans remember vividly years after.

"Moving tales are a vital component of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a lead designer on the project. "The team established some general rules, but in the end, it was mostly on a case-by-case level."

Though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it stands as one of the collection's most clever examples of narrative design through gameplay. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core gameplay elements. And although it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the tale will quickly recognize the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the color of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that target creature.

These mechanics paints a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands powerfully here, communicated solely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

A bit of context, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the duo get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to look after his companion. They finally make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the abilities effectively let you reenact this whole sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of gear in the collection that requires three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards function as follows: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and activate it to negate the attack altogether. Therefore, you can do this at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a strong 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards at no cost. This is exactly the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Beyond the Central Synergy

However, the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it goes further than just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a tiny connection, but one that subtly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

This design avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked cliff where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the passing yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the franchise to date.