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A major aspect of the appeal within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way countless cards narrate familiar tales. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a glimpse of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose signature move is a specialized shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is found throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and not all joyful stories. Several serve as heartbreaking reminders of tragedies fans remember vividly decades later.

"Moving stories are a central part of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a senior game designer for the set. "The team established some general rules, but finally, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

While the Zack Fair card may not be a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most refined examples of narrative design by way of rules. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's central mechanics. And although it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the tale will quickly recognize the emotional weight within it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

For one mana of white (the color of good) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. By spending one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another ally you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, along with an gear, onto that other creature.

This card depicts a scene FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates powerfully here, communicated solely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Scene

For history, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended experimentation, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to protect his comrade. They eventually make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Game Board

In a game, the card mechanics in essence let you relive this entire event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an artifact card. Together, these pieces function as follows: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s signature action is worded, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to negate the damage altogether. So you can make this play at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of moment alluded to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

More Than the Main Interaction

But the thematic here is deeply satisfying, and it extends beyond just these cards. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a tiny reference, but one that subtly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

Zack’s card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the legacy for yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a brief second, while playing a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the saga for many fans.