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A significant aspect of the appeal within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner countless cards depict familiar tales. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a portrait of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose signature move is a specialized shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this in nuanced ways. Such storytelling is widespread throughout the whole Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. Several are somber callbacks of emotional events fans remember vividly to this day.

"Powerful tales are a key component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a lead designer on the collaboration. "They created some overarching principles, but in the end, it was mostly on a card-by-card level."

While the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the release's most elegant examples of flavor by way of gameplay. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the set's central mechanics. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the emotional weight within it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the color of good) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another ally you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, along with an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This design depicts a scene FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, conveyed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

A bit of backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the pair break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to protect his comrade. They finally reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the abilities essentially let you reenact this entire sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of gear in the set that requires three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an artifact card. Together, these three cards play out like this: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the attack entirely. So you can do this at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of moment meant when discussing “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

More Than the Obvious Synergy

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches beyond just Zack and Cloud. 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 then becomes a Mutant. This sort of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small reference, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

Zack’s card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You pass the weapon on. And for a brief second, while engaged in a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the saga to date.