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A core part of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion so many cards narrate well-known stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the protagonist at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose signature move is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules mirror this in nuanced ways. This type of flavor is prevalent throughout the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. A number serve as heartbreaking callbacks of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Moving stories are a central component of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a principal designer for the set. "We built some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the collection's most refined examples of storytelling via rules. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's central mechanics. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the significance within it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another unit you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

These mechanics paints a moment FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits just as hard here, conveyed solely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Moment

Some necessary context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his friend. They eventually arrive at the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the card mechanics in essence let you reenact this whole event. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an weapon card. Together, these pieces play out like this: You summon Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s signature action is designed, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and activate it to prevent the attack completely. So you can make this play at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards for free. This is exactly the kind of interaction referred to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Beyond the Central Combo

And the thematic here is deeply satisfying, and it goes past just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set 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 kind of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a subtle nod, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

The card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy bluff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy personally. You make the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the franchise ever made.