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A major element of the appeal of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner countless cards narrate well-known tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose key technique is a fancy shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules represent this with subtlety. These kinds of storytelling is widespread in the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not joyful stories. Several act as heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional tales are a key component of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a principal game designer involved with the set. "They created some broad guidelines, but finally, it was mostly on a case-by-case basis."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a top-tier card, it is one of the collection's most elegant examples of flavor via gameplay. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the product's key gameplay elements. And although it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the saga will instantly understand the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair has a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another creature you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This card depicts a sequence FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it lands powerfully here, expressed entirely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

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. After extended experimentation, the pair break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

In a game, the abilities essentially let you relive this whole event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an artifact card. Together, these three cards function in this way: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the way Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can actually use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to prevent the damage completely. Therefore, you can make this play at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a strong 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards for free. This is exactly the kind of interaction alluded to when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Beyond the Main Synergy

And the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in 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. It's a small nod, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

This design does not depict his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you relive the passing for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the saga for many fans.