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A core aspect of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the way numerous cards tell well-known tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a portrait of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities mirror this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is widespread in the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. Several serve as somber callbacks of tragedies fans remember vividly years after.

"Powerful stories are a key element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a principal designer on the collaboration. "They created some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was largely on a card-by-card level."

While the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the collection's most refined examples of narrative design via gameplay. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the expansion's central mechanics. And although it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the emotional weight within it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the color of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

This design depicts a sequence FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, communicated entirely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

A bit of backstory, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of imprisonment, the pair break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his comrade. They finally arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the rules in essence let you reenact this entire sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these three cards unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to negate the attack entirely. This allows you to do this at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two spells at no cost. This is just the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Beyond the Central Synergy

But the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it reaches further than just this combo. 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a small nod, but one that cleverly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to relive the passing personally. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the sword on. And for a short instant, while playing a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the franchise to date.