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A core element of the charm of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion countless cards narrate iconic tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a portrait of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose key technique is a fancy shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The abilities mirror this perfectly. This type of flavor is widespread across the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all fun and games. A number are poignant callbacks of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional narratives are a central part of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a senior game designer on the collaboration. "They created some general rules, but ultimately, it was largely on a case-by-case level."

While the Zack Fair card is not a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the set's most refined instances of narrative design via rules. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's core gameplay elements. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the emotional weight behind it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

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 enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to bestow another ally you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics paints a scene FF fans are all too familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits powerfully here, expressed solely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

A bit of backstory, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the duo manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his companion. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Battlefield

In a game, the rules essentially let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards unfold in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the attack completely. So you can do this at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two spells for free. This is precisely the kind of moment referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Beyond the Obvious Combo

However, the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This kind of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a subtle reference, but one that implicitly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

Zack’s card avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked location where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to recreate the passing personally. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the sword on. And for a brief second, while playing a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the saga for many fans.