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A core aspect of the charm within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way countless cards narrate well-known tales. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a glimpse of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose key technique is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities mirror this perfectly. These kinds of narrative is found in the entire Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. Several serve as heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans still mull over decades later.

"Emotional tales are a vital component of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior designer involved with the project. "We built some overarching principles, but finally, it was primarily on a individual basis."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a tournament staple, it represents one of the release's most clever instances of narrative design via gameplay. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the set's key gameplay elements. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the significance embedded in it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the color of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another creature you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s counters, along with an artifact weapon, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a sequence FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, communicated completely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

For history, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to protect his friend. They eventually make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Tabletop

In a game, the abilities effectively let you reenact this entire sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an weapon card. In combination, these three cards function like this: You summon Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to cancel out 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 formidable 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two spells without paying their mana cost. This is exactly the kind of interaction meant when talking about “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Extending Past the Central Interaction

But the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny connection, but one that implicitly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the moment yourself. You make the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the franchise to date.