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A core part of the appeal found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way countless cards narrate iconic narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The abilities reflect this with subtlety. Such narrative is prevalent in the entire Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all fun and games. Several serve as poignant echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Moving narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," noted a lead designer on the collaboration. "We built some overarching principles, but in the end, it was primarily on a individual basis."

While the Zack Fair isn't a tournament staple, it stands as one of the collection's most clever examples of narrative design by way of rules. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal cinematic moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the expansion's key mechanics. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those familiar with the story will instantly understand the significance behind it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of good) in this set, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s counters, along with an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

This design paints a scene FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands powerfully here, communicated entirely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

A bit of history, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of imprisonment, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to look after his companion. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the persona of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Game Board

In a game, the card mechanics effectively let you reenact this whole event. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards play out as follows: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can actually use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and activate it to negate the damage altogether. Therefore, you can perform this action at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Main Combo

And the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it extends past 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 chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design does not depict his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy for yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the saga for many fans.