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A major part of the charm within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion numerous cards depict familiar narratives. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a portrait of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The card's mechanics reflect this with subtlety. This type of narrative is widespread throughout the whole Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all fun and games. Some serve as poignant reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Emotional narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a lead designer for the collaboration. "We built some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a card-by-card level."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the collection's most refined instances of storytelling by way of gameplay. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the product's key gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the significance behind it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another creature you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This design depicts a moment FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits powerfully here, communicated entirely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

A bit of context, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended experimentation, the duo get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his comrade. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Left behind, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the rules effectively let you recreate this entire scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an equipment card. Together, these three cards play out as follows: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s signature action is designed, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to prevent the damage entirely. Therefore, you can do this at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is exactly the kind of interaction referred to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Beyond the Central Combo

However, the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches further than just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle connection, but one that implicitly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable bluff where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* lets you relive the moment for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You hand over the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the saga ever made.