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A major aspect of the appeal of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner countless cards narrate iconic tales. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a snapshot of the protagonist at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose signature move is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities represent this perfectly. Such flavor is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all joyful stories. Several serve as heartbreaking reminders of tragedies fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Emotional narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a senior game designer for the project. "We built some general rules, but ultimately, it was mostly on a card-by-card level."

While the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the collection's most clever instances of flavor by way of rules. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the set's central mechanics. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will instantly understand the meaning behind it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the alignment of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

These mechanics paints a moment FF fans are all too familiar with, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands just as hard here, conveyed entirely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

For context, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the friends manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his friend. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the abilities essentially let you relive this entire scene. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these pieces unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve 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 potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to negate the attack entirely. This allows you to do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience meant when talking about “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Beyond the Main Combo

And the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it goes further than just these cards. The Jenova card is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable cliff where it concludes. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you recreate the passing for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the saga to date.