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A core part of the charm of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner so many cards tell well-known narratives. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a portrait of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose signature move is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules mirror this with subtlety. This type of flavor is prevalent in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all fun and games. A number act as somber reminders of tragedies fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Powerful narratives are a vital component of the Final Fantasy legacy," noted a lead game designer for the set. "The team established some overarching principles, but finally, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most refined instances of storytelling by way of mechanics. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the product's central mechanics. And while it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the saga will instantly understand the significance within it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another creature you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s counters, along with an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

These mechanics paints a sequence FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands with equal force here, communicated completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of imprisonment, the duo get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

In a game, the rules effectively let you relive this entire event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the set that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an artifact card. In combination, these pieces play out like this: You summon 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.

Due to the design Zack’s signature action is designed, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to negate the damage completely. So you can make this play at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you draw two cards and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is exactly the kind of interaction meant when discussing “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Central Interaction

And the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it extends further than just this combo. The Jenova card is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to reenact the moment yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the weapon 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 series to date.