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A major element of the appeal within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion numerous cards depict familiar stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose signature move is a fancy shot that takes a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics mirror this in nuanced ways. Such storytelling is widespread in the entire Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. A number serve as poignant echoes of emotional events fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Powerful stories are a vital element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a lead designer involved with the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a top-tier card, it represents one of the set's most elegant pieces of storytelling by way of rules. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the product's core mechanics. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the tale will quickly recognize the significance behind it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of good) in this collection, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a scene FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, communicated solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

Some necessary backstory, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the friends get away. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you reenact this whole sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a strong piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to search your deck for an equipment card. Together, these pieces play out as follows: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s signature action is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to negate the damage entirely. This allows you to make this play at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two spells at no cost. This is precisely the kind of moment alluded to when discussing “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Obvious Combo

And the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it goes beyond just these cards. The Jenova card 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable cliff where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy yourself. You make the sacrifice. You hand over the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the series to date.