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A core element of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner so many cards narrate well-known narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a specialized shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities reflect this with subtlety. Such narrative is widespread in the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. A number act as heartbreaking callbacks of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Moving narratives are a key part of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a senior designer involved with the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most refined pieces of narrative design via gameplay. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the set's key systems. And although it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the significance embedded in it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

For one white mana (the alignment of good) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This design portrays a moment FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits with equal force here, expressed entirely through rules text. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the friends manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to protect his companion. They eventually make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Abandoned, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the card mechanics effectively let you relive this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of equipment in the set that requires three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an artifact card. Together, these three cards 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.

Owing to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to prevent the attack entirely. So you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a strong 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of moment meant when talking about “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Main Combo

But the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that implicitly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

Zack’s card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you relive the passing yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You hand over the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the series to date.