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A significant element of the allure found in the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner numerous cards depict iconic stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose signature move is a fancy shot that pushes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this with subtlety. Such storytelling is widespread in the whole Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. A number serve as somber echoes of emotional events fans remember vividly years after.

"Moving tales are a central part of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a senior designer involved with the collaboration. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was mostly on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair is not a tournament staple, it stands as one of the release's most clever examples of narrative design by way of mechanics. It artfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the product's core systems. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the tale will immediately grasp the emotional weight behind it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another ally you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, as well as an gear, onto that other creature.

This design paints a sequence FF fans are all too familiar with, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, communicated solely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

A bit of backstory, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of testing, the duo break free. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to protect his friend. They finally make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

In a game, the abilities in essence let you recreate this whole event. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards unfold in this way: 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 summon and give it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to negate the attack altogether. So you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction referred to when discussing “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Extending Past the Main Combo

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the legacy on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the saga ever made.