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A significant part of the appeal of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the way countless cards depict well-known tales. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a fancy shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this with subtlety. Such storytelling is prevalent throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and some are not fun and games. Several serve as heartbreaking echoes of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Powerful tales are a vital part of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a principal designer on the collaboration. "They created some general rules, but in the end, it was primarily on a individual basis."

Though the Zack Fair card isn't a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most clever pieces of flavor through rules. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the set's key gameplay elements. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will immediately grasp the significance within it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

For one white mana (the color of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s counters, as well as an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This design portrays a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits powerfully here, conveyed solely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

A bit of history, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the duo get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to look after his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the abilities effectively let you relive this whole sequence. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an artifact card. Together, these pieces play out like this: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack entirely. Therefore, you can make this play at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards at no cost. This is just the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Beyond the Central Interaction

However, the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches beyond just these cards. 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER conditioning he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that subtly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy location where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a brief second, while playing a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the franchise to date.