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A core element of the allure of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner countless cards depict iconic tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a glimpse of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous professional athlete whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities mirror this in nuanced ways. Such flavor is widespread across the whole Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. Several serve as heartbreaking callbacks of sad moments fans remember vividly decades later.

"Powerful tales are a vital element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal game designer involved with the collaboration. "We built some general rules, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the release's most clever instances of flavor via gameplay. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's core gameplay elements. And although it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the emotional weight behind it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair has a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, plus an gear, onto that target creature.

This card paints a scene FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands powerfully here, conveyed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

A bit of context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to take care of his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the abilities in essence let you relive this whole sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a strong piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an artifact card. In combination, these pieces function as follows: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the manner Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to prevent the attack completely. So you can perform this action at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is exactly the kind of experience referred to when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Central Combo

But the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the collection 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 hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER conditioning he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a subtle nod, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

This design does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked cliff where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to relive the passing for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You pass the legacy on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the saga to date.