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A core part of the appeal within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion so many cards narrate iconic narratives. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a portrait of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose secret weapon is a unique shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics represent this with subtlety. These kinds of storytelling is widespread in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. A number are heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional narratives are a key element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer for the project. "We built some overarching principles, but finally, it was mostly on a case-by-case basis."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it represents one of the set's most clever examples of flavor by way of gameplay. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the expansion's key gameplay elements. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the story will immediately grasp the significance within it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the color of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, plus an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

These mechanics paints a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits powerfully here, expressed completely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

For backstory, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended experimentation, the duo break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his friend. They finally make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by Shinra soldiers. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

In a game, the card mechanics essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an artifact card. Together, these three cards unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the manner Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and activate it to prevent the damage completely. This allows you to perform this action at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two spells at no cost. This is exactly the kind of moment meant when discussing “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design trigger the recollection.

More Than the Central Combo

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a small nod, but one that subtly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

Zack’s card avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked bluff where it concludes. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to relive the legacy yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You pass the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the franchise ever made.