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A significant aspect of the allure within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion numerous cards depict familiar stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a glimpse of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous professional athlete whose secret weapon is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules mirror this perfectly. These kinds of narrative is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. Some serve as somber echoes of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional narratives are a vital part of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a principal game designer on the project. "The team established some broad guidelines, but in the end, it was mostly on a individual basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card is not a tournament staple, it represents one of the set's most clever instances of narrative design by way of mechanics. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core gameplay elements. And although it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the story will immediately grasp the emotional weight embedded in it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the alignment of good) in this set, Zack Fair has a base power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

This design portrays a sequence FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

Some necessary context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the friends manage to escape. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack vows to protect his friend. They finally reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the abilities essentially let you recreate this whole event. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these pieces play out like this: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack entirely. Therefore, you can perform this action at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of moment referred to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

More Than the Obvious Combo

However, the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card is part of 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 suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a small reference, but one that implicitly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

The card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy personally. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the sword on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the series for many fans.