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A significant part of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion so many cards tell familiar narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a snapshot of the hero at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics mirror this in nuanced ways. These kinds of storytelling is found in the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. Several serve as somber callbacks of tragedies fans still mull over decades later.

"Emotional stories are a central part of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a lead game designer for the collaboration. "We built some broad guidelines, but in the end, it was largely on a individual basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it is one of the collection's most clever instances of storytelling through rules. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the set's key gameplay elements. And while it avoids revealing anything, those who know the tale will immediately grasp the meaning embedded in it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one mana of white (the alignment of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By spending one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This design depicts a moment FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits just as hard here, conveyed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

A bit of history, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of experimentation, the friends break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his comrade. They eventually make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Battlefield

In a game, the card mechanics effectively let you relive this entire scene. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of gear in the collection that requires three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. In combination, these pieces play out in this way: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s signature action is designed, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to negate the attack altogether. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two spells for free. This is just the kind of moment alluded to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

More Than the Obvious Combo

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches further than just this combo. 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 chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER conditioning he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

The card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to relive the legacy for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You transfer the legacy on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the franchise to date.