🔗 Share this article

A core part of the charm found in the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion so many cards narrate iconic narratives. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous professional athlete whose signature move is a specialized shot that takes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules mirror this with subtlety. This type of flavor is found across the whole Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. A number are poignant echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Powerful stories are a central component of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a senior designer involved with the project. "The team established some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was primarily on a card-by-card level."

While the Zack Fair card isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the set's most elegant examples of flavor through mechanics. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core mechanics. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will quickly recognize the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of good) in this collection, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s markers, along with an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This design paints a scene FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands with equal force here, communicated solely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

For history, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the duo manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack vows to look after his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Battlefield

In a game, the abilities effectively let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of gear in the set that requires three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to search your deck for an equipment card. Together, these pieces unfold like this: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the damage completely. So you can make this play 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 gain card advantage and play two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of experience referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Beyond the Obvious Interaction

But the thematic here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

This design avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy yourself. You make the ultimate play. You hand over the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the franchise to date.