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A significant element of the charm of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way numerous cards narrate well-known stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a portrait of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose key technique is a unique shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules reflect this perfectly. This type of flavor is found throughout the entire Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. Several serve as poignant callbacks of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Moving tales are a central element of the Final Fantasy series," noted a senior game designer involved with the project. "The team established some general rules, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case basis."

While the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it represents one of the collection's most elegant examples of narrative design by way of rules. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's core systems. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the emotional weight behind it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the hue of good) in this collection, Zack Fair is 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 grant another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s markers, along with an gear, onto that target creature.

These mechanics paints a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it lands powerfully here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

Some necessary history, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to protect his friend. They finally arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Left behind, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the card mechanics effectively let you relive this entire event. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

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

Due to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to negate the attack entirely. Therefore, you can perform this action at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards at no cost. This is exactly the kind of moment referred to when discussing “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Beyond the Main Synergy

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in 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 kind of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a subtle nod, but one that subtly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy bluff where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You hand over the legacy on. And for a short instant, while playing a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the saga to date.