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A significant aspect of the appeal of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner numerous cards tell iconic narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose secret weapon is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities mirror this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is found in the entire Final Fantasy set, and some are not fun and games. A number serve as heartbreaking callbacks of tragedies fans remember vividly to this day.

"Emotional narratives are a key component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a lead game designer on the project. "They created some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was largely on a case-by-case basis."

While the Zack Fair isn't a tournament staple, it stands as one of the release's most clever examples of flavor via mechanics. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the set's core mechanics. And while it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the saga will quickly recognize the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

For one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another unit you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This design portrays a sequence FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates powerfully here, communicated completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the pair get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

In a game, the rules essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is a a strong piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards unfold as follows: You cast Zack, and he gets 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 manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to prevent the attack completely. So you can perform this action at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two spells at no cost. This is exactly the kind of experience meant when talking about “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay evoke the memory.

More Than the Main Interaction

And the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches further than just this combo. The Jenova card appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that subtly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to recreate the legacy for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the series for many fans.