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A significant part of the charm of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way so many cards narrate familiar stories. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a portrait of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose signature move is a fancy shot that takes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules reflect this in nuanced ways. Such storytelling is found in the whole Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. Some serve as poignant reminders of tragedies fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," noted a senior game designer involved with the project. "They created some general rules, but ultimately, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

While the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the release's most elegant pieces of storytelling by way of gameplay. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the expansion's core mechanics. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the saga will instantly understand the significance within it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the hue of good) in this collection, Zack Fair has a base power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s counters, plus an artifact weapon, onto that chosen creature.

This card paints a moment FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates just as hard here, communicated completely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

A bit of history, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the friends get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to look after his comrade. They finally arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you reenact this whole scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these three cards unfold in this way: You cast Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s signature action is structured, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the damage completely. So you can do this at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two spells without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

More Than the Central Interaction

But the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it extends beyond just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that implicitly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the moment yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the saga to date.