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A significant element of the appeal within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner countless cards depict iconic stories. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a snapshot of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose signature move is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this with subtlety. These kinds of narrative is prevalent across the entire Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all joyful stories. A number serve as heartbreaking reminders of tragedies fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional stories are a vital component of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a principal designer involved with the project. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it is one of the collection's most clever examples of storytelling through rules. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core systems. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the saga will instantly understand the significance behind it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

For one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another creature you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, along with an gear, onto that target creature.

This card depicts a scene FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits with equal force here, expressed completely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Scene

Some necessary backstory, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following years of testing, the friends break free. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his comrade. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the abilities essentially let you relive this entire scene. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards play out in this way: You play Zack, and he receives 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 signature action is worded, you can actually use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the damage completely. So you can do this at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a strong 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two spells without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Beyond the Obvious Combo

And the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it goes beyond just these cards. 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 then becomes a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small connection, but one that subtly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

The card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to recreate the passing personally. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the legacy on. And for a brief second, while playing a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the franchise ever made.