🔗 Share this article

A significant aspect of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way numerous cards narrate well-known tales. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose key technique is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The abilities represent this in nuanced ways. Such flavor is widespread in the whole Final Fantasy set, and some are not lighthearted tales. A number are poignant callbacks of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Powerful tales are a key element of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a senior designer for the collaboration. "The team established some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was largely on a individual level."

Even though the Zack Fair card isn't a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most elegant examples of narrative design through mechanics. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the set's central gameplay elements. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the saga will quickly recognize the significance within it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another unit you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s counters, along with an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This design portrays a scene FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, expressed completely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

For context, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to look after his companion. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by forces. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Game Board

In a game, the abilities essentially let you recreate this entire scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards play out as follows: 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 play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s signature action is structured, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack entirely. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of experience referred to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

More Than the Obvious Interaction

However, the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends further than just these cards. The Jenova card is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that implicitly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

The card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the memorable location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to relive the moment for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You pass the legacy 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 saga for many fans.