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A significant element of the allure found in the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the way countless cards tell iconic tales. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a portrait of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose signature move is a specialized shot that knocks a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this with subtlety. Such storytelling is prevalent throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. A number act as heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans still mull over years after.

"Moving narratives are a vital element of the Final Fantasy series," noted a principal designer involved with the collaboration. "The team established some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case basis."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it stands as one of the collection's most refined instances of storytelling through mechanics. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's core gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the saga will quickly recognize the significance within it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally 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 extremely remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates 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.

A Spoiler for the Scene

For backstory, and here is your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended testing, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his companion. They finally reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards function as follows: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to negate the attack entirely. So you can do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Obvious Combo

And the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it reaches beyond just these cards. 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 target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This sort of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a subtle nod, but one that subtly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy bluff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you recreate the legacy yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You hand over the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a card battle, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the franchise ever made.