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A major aspect of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion so many cards tell familiar tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a snapshot of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated sports star whose signature move is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The abilities reflect this with subtlety. These kinds of narrative is prevalent in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and some are not fun and games. Several act as heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional narratives are a vital part of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a lead designer for the set. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a card-by-card basis."

While the Zack Fair card isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the set's most refined pieces of flavor via gameplay. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's key gameplay elements. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will quickly recognize the meaning embedded in it.

The Card's Design: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. By spending one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another unit you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

This design portrays a moment FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits just as hard here, conveyed solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

A bit of context, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. After years of experimentation, the pair break free. The entire time, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to look after his comrade. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the abilities in essence let you reenact this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of 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, letting you to search your deck for an equipment card. In combination, these pieces play out in this way: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the attack completely. So you can make this play at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards for free. This is just the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Main Interaction

But the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it extends further than just these cards. 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 target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that cleverly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* lets you relive the passing for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You hand over the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the series to date.