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A core element of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion so many cards depict iconic narratives. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a portrait of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a fancy shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this with subtlety. This type of narrative is widespread throughout the whole Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. A number serve as somber reminders of emotional events fans still mull over to this day.

"Powerful tales are a key part of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior game designer for the project. "They created some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was largely on a individual basis."

While the Zack Fair isn't a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most refined examples of narrative design by way of mechanics. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the set's core gameplay elements. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a scene FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates with equal force here, communicated solely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

A bit of context, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Game Board

In a game, the abilities effectively let you relive this whole scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an artifact card. In combination, these pieces play out as follows: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to negate the attack entirely. So you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of moment meant when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Extending Past the Main Synergy

And the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it reaches beyond just these cards. The Jenova card is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a tiny reference, but one that implicitly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

Zack’s card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to reenact the legacy for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You transfer the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the series ever made.