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A major part of the appeal found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the way so many cards narrate well-known narratives. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a specialized shot that pushes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is found across the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. Several act as heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Moving narratives are a key element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a senior game designer for the set. "They created some general rules, but in the end, it was mostly on a individual level."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it stands as one of the collection's most refined pieces of storytelling by way of rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the expansion's central gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair is a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another creature you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, along with an Equipment, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a moment FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it lands powerfully here, conveyed completely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

A bit of context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of imprisonment, the pair get away. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to protect his friend. They finally make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Tabletop

In a game, the abilities in essence let you recreate this whole event. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of armament in the set that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential 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 receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s signature action is worded, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack altogether. This allows you to perform this action at a key moment, passing 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 draw two cards and cast two spells without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Beyond the Central Synergy

However, the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends 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 sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy location where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you relive the moment for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You pass the legacy on. And for a short instant, while playing a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the franchise ever made.