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A major part of the appeal found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner so many cards depict well-known stories. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this in nuanced ways. These kinds of flavor is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. Some act as heartbreaking callbacks of sad moments fans still mull over to this day.

"Emotional tales are a central element of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a lead game designer on the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair is not a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most clever examples of narrative design by way of rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's core mechanics. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will immediately grasp the significance behind it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair has a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s counters, along with an gear, onto that chosen creature.

These mechanics paints a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it lands just as hard here, communicated entirely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

For backstory, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the friends manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to take care of his companion. They finally reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

In a game, the abilities effectively let you recreate this whole event. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these three cards unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s signature action is structured, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to cancel out the damage entirely. Therefore, you can make this play at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, every time he deals combat damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two spells without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of moment alluded to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

More Than the Central Combo

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes further than just this combo. The Jenova card is part of 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 kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a small connection, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

The card does not depict his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you relive the passing personally. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the saga to date.