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A major element of the charm of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion so many cards narrate iconic tales. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose key technique is a unique shot that pushes a defender aside. The gameplay rules represent this with subtlety. These kinds of narrative is found throughout the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. A number act as somber echoes of emotional events fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Moving tales are a key element of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a lead game designer involved with the collaboration. "The team established some general rules, but in the end, it was largely on a individual level."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the set's most clever pieces of narrative design through mechanics. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the expansion's central mechanics. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the meaning embedded in it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the color of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

This card paints a moment FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it lands just as hard here, conveyed completely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Moment

Some necessary history, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended experimentation, the pair break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Left behind, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Game Board

In a game, the abilities effectively let you relive this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards play out like this: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s signature action is structured, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack entirely. This allows you to do this at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two spells without paying their mana cost. This is exactly the kind of experience meant when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

More Than the Main Combo

And the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it goes beyond just these cards. The Jenova card 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 in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a subtle reference, but one that implicitly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

The card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable bluff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy for yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the sword on. And for a short instant, while playing a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the series to date.