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A major aspect of the allure of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner so many cards tell iconic stories. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose key technique is a unique shot that pushes a defender aside. The gameplay rules mirror this in nuanced ways. These kinds of storytelling is widespread across the whole Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. Several act as somber reminders of tragedies fans still mull over decades later.

"Powerful narratives are a key component of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a lead designer on the project. "The team established some general rules, but ultimately, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the collection's most clever examples of flavor through mechanics. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the product's central gameplay elements. And although it avoids revealing anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the emotional weight within it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an Equipment, onto that other creature.

These mechanics depicts a moment FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits powerfully here, communicated entirely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

A bit of history, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the pair break free. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his companion. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules effectively let you recreate this whole scene. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of gear in the set that requires three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an artifact card. Together, these pieces function like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the damage completely. This allows you to make this play at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two spells without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

More Than the Main Combo

And the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it extends further than just these cards. The Jenova card is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of 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 reference, but one that cleverly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

Zack’s card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the moment personally. You choose the sacrifice. You pass the legacy on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a card battle, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the franchise for many fans.