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A major aspect of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion so many cards narrate iconic narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that knocks a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this with subtlety. These kinds of narrative is prevalent throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. Some serve as heartbreaking echoes of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional tales are a vital element of the Final Fantasy series," noted a principal game designer on the collaboration. "We built some overarching principles, but in the end, it was primarily on a individual basis."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the collection's most refined pieces of narrative design via gameplay. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's central gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the saga will quickly recognize the significance behind it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another ally you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, along with an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it lands powerfully here, communicated solely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

For backstory, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the friends manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to take care of his comrade. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Left behind, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the card mechanics effectively let you reenact this whole scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these pieces unfold as follows: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s signature action is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to negate the damage completely. This allows you to make this play at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you draw two cards and play two spells without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of interaction referred to when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Beyond the Main Interaction

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends further than just this combo. 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 chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

The card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the passing yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the weapon on. And for a brief second, while engaged in a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the series ever made.