🔗 Share this article

A major part of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner numerous cards narrate well-known tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules mirror this perfectly. Such storytelling is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. A number serve as poignant callbacks of emotional events fans remember vividly decades later.

"Moving tales are a central component of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer on the project. "We built some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was primarily on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair card isn't a top-tier card, it represents one of the set's most elegant examples of narrative design via rules. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments brilliantly, all while leveraging some of the set's key mechanics. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the emotional weight embedded in it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the color of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By spending one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to give another unit you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s markers, as well as an gear, onto that target creature.

This design paints a moment FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, communicated completely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to look after his comrade. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you recreate this entire event. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an weapon card. Together, these pieces unfold as follows: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the attack altogether. Therefore, you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of moment referred to when discussing “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Beyond the Main Synergy

However, the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the set 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 kind of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the legacy personally. You perform the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a short instant, while playing a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the franchise for many fans.