🔗 Share this article

A core part of the allure found in the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion numerous cards narrate iconic tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a portrait of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics mirror this with subtlety. Such narrative is found in the entire Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. Some are somber reminders of emotional events fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional stories are a key part of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a principal designer for the set. "We built some general rules, but in the end, it was mostly on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it represents one of the release's most clever examples of flavor by way of rules. It artfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's key mechanics. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the significance behind it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the color of good) in this set, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s counters, along with an gear, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a sequence FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it lands powerfully here, conveyed entirely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

Some necessary context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended testing, the duo break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to take care of his companion. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Tabletop

In a game, the rules essentially let you relive this whole scene. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. Together, these three cards play out in this way: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to prevent the damage altogether. This allows you to do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a strong 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards for free. This is just the kind of moment alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

More Than the Obvious Synergy

But the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it extends further than just Zack and Cloud. 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 chosen creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle connection, but one that cleverly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy location where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to recreate the legacy personally. You make the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the saga to date.