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A significant part of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way countless cards depict familiar stories. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that takes a defender aside. The abilities reflect this with subtlety. This type of flavor is widespread in the entire Final Fantasy set, and some are not fun and games. Some are poignant callbacks of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Powerful narratives are a vital element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a lead designer involved with the project. "We built some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the release's most elegant pieces of flavor through mechanics. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the set's key systems. And although it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the story will quickly recognize the significance behind it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the color of good) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to bestow another creature you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

This design portrays a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands 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 Story Behind the Scene

A bit of backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the duo get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to look after his friend. They eventually reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by Shinra soldiers. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the abilities in essence let you recreate this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of gear in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an equipment card. Together, these three cards unfold as follows: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to prevent the damage entirely. So you can do this at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards for free. This is exactly the kind of moment referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Extending Past the Obvious Synergy

And the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it goes past just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a subtle nod, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

The card doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy bluff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to recreate the passing personally. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the legacy on. And for a short instant, while playing a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the saga to date.