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A significant element of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner so many cards narrate well-known tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose signature move is a fancy shot that takes a defender aside. The abilities represent this with subtlety. These kinds of storytelling is found across the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. A number serve as poignant callbacks of tragedies fans remember vividly to this day.

"Emotional stories are a central part of the Final Fantasy series," noted a principal designer for the project. "They created some overarching principles, but finally, it was mostly on a card-by-card level."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it stands as one of the collection's most clever examples of flavor via mechanics. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments brilliantly, all while leveraging some of the set's core systems. And while it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the significance embedded in it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one mana of white (the color of good) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another unit you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, as well as an gear, onto that target creature.

This design depicts a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands just as hard here, conveyed entirely 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

For backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to take care of his companion. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules in essence let you reenact this whole event. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an weapon card. Together, these pieces unfold in this way: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the damage entirely. So you can perform this action at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two spells for free. This is exactly the kind of experience referred to when discussing “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

More Than the Central Combo

However, the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it goes beyond just these cards. 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 target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle reference, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the passing personally. You make the ultimate play. You hand over the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the saga for many fans.