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A major element of the appeal within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way numerous cards narrate well-known stories. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose key technique is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The gameplay rules mirror this in nuanced ways. This type of narrative is prevalent in the whole Final Fantasy set, and not all joyful stories. A number act as poignant echoes of emotional events fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional narratives are a vital component of the Final Fantasy franchise," wrote a lead designer on the project. "We built some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was largely on a individual basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card is not a tournament staple, it represents one of the collection's most refined pieces of narrative design through gameplay. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the product's key systems. And while it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the tale will quickly recognize the significance embedded in it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

For one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness 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 give another ally you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This card depicts a moment FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates just as hard here, communicated completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

For backstory, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the duo break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his comrade. They finally reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you relive this entire scene. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. Together, these three cards function as follows: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack completely. So you can perform this action at any time, transferring 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 pull extra cards and play two spells for free. This is just the kind of experience referred to when talking about “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Main Combo

However, the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it extends beyond just these cards. The Jenova card appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER conditioning he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny connection, but one that implicitly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the series for many fans.