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A major element of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way so many cards depict iconic narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a portrait of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose secret weapon is a unique shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics mirror this in nuanced ways. This type of storytelling is found throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. A number act as poignant echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Powerful stories are a vital element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal game designer on the set. "The team established some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was primarily on a individual basis."

Though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it stands as one of the collection's most elegant instances of storytelling through mechanics. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the expansion's key mechanics. And while it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the story will instantly understand the significance within it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an gear, onto that target creature.

This design depicts a sequence FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates just as hard here, conveyed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

A bit of history, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended testing, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his friend. They finally make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Abandoned, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the rules in essence let you relive this iconic scene. The Buster Sword appears as a strong piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these pieces function like this: 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 summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s signature action is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the attack altogether. So you can make this play at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards at no cost. This is exactly the kind of experience meant when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

More Than the Main Synergy

However, the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it extends 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 hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

The card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the series ever made.