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A significant part of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way numerous cards narrate well-known stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a portrait of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose key technique is a fancy shot that pushes a defender aside. The abilities mirror this perfectly. Such storytelling is found in the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all joyful stories. Several act as somber echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Moving stories are a vital element of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a senior game designer on the set. "The team established some broad guidelines, but in the end, it was mostly on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the set's most refined instances of narrative design via rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the set's central systems. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those familiar with the tale will immediately grasp the significance behind it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one mana of white (the alignment of good) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s markers, as well as an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a moment FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits with equal force here, expressed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Moment

Some necessary history, and here is your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the duo get away. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his comrade. They finally make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Left behind, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Game Board

In a game, the abilities effectively let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to search your deck for an equipment card. Together, these pieces function like this: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the damage completely. This allows you to make this play at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of interaction meant when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Beyond the Obvious Combo

However, the thematic here is deeply satisfying, and it extends further than just Zack and Cloud. 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 target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a tiny nod, but one that implicitly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

The card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the memorable cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to recreate the moment personally. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the saga ever made.