🔗 Share this article

A significant element of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion numerous cards depict well-known narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose signature move is a fancy shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this in nuanced ways. This type of storytelling is found throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and some are not joyful stories. A number are heartbreaking callbacks of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Powerful stories are a central part of the Final Fantasy series," explained a lead designer for the project. "The team established some broad guidelines, but finally, it was largely on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it stands as one of the release's most refined instances of storytelling via rules. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's key systems. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the emotional weight within it.

The Card's Design: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s counters, as well as an gear, onto that other creature.

These mechanics depicts a scene FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates powerfully here, conveyed solely through rules text. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Moment

For history, and here is your *FF7* warning: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended experimentation, the duo break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They finally make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

In a game, the card mechanics essentially let you recreate this entire scene. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. In combination, these three cards function in this way: You summon Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s signature action is worded, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to negate the attack altogether. So you can do this at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he deals combat 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 “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Central Combo

And the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it reaches further than just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set 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 hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle nod, but one that subtly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

The card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you relive the moment yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You hand over the sword on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the saga to date.