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A significant element of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner so many cards narrate iconic narratives. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this with subtlety. This type of flavor is prevalent throughout the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. A number serve as poignant callbacks of emotional events fans still mull over to this day.

"Moving tales are a key element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a senior game designer for the set. "The team established some broad guidelines, but finally, it was largely on a case-by-case level."

While the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it represents one of the release's most clever instances of narrative design by way of rules. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the set's core systems. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will immediately grasp the significance embedded in it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By spending one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another unit you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, plus an artifact weapon, onto that chosen creature.

This design portrays a scene FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands with equal force here, communicated solely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

For backstory, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to take care of his friend. They eventually make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the rules effectively let you reenact this entire event. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an weapon card. In combination, these pieces function like this: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to prevent the attack altogether. Therefore, you can do this at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Central Synergy

And the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it extends past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle reference, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable cliff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you relive the moment for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the franchise for many fans.