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A significant aspect of the charm within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way countless cards narrate iconic tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose key technique is a specialized shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities represent this perfectly. This type of narrative is found throughout the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not fun and games. Several are heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful stories are a key component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a senior designer for the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was mostly on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it stands as one of the set's most elegant pieces of storytelling via gameplay. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the set's central gameplay elements. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the tale will instantly understand the meaning within it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the color of good) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s markers, along with an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it lands with equal force here, expressed entirely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Scene

A bit of history, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the friends get away. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the card mechanics effectively let you relive this entire scene. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of equipment in the set that requires three mana and gives the wielding 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 clear interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards function as follows: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to negate the attack altogether. So you can make this play at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of moment alluded to when discussing “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Main Combo

But the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches beyond 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 also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that subtly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

Zack’s card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked location where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to recreate the moment personally. You make the sacrifice. You pass the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the franchise to date.