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A major element of the charm within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards narrate familiar narratives. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a glimpse of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated sports star whose signature move is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules mirror this with subtlety. These kinds of flavor is widespread across the whole Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. Some are poignant callbacks of emotional events fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Moving narratives are a vital element of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a senior game designer involved with the project. "They created some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was mostly on a individual level."

Even though the Zack Fair isn't a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most elegant instances of flavor via mechanics. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the product's central mechanics. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will quickly recognize the meaning within it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the color of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By spending one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another unit you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a scene FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates powerfully here, communicated entirely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

Some necessary backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of testing, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to take care of his companion. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Abandoned, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

In a game, the rules in essence let you reenact this entire sequence. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an equipment card. Together, these pieces play out as follows: You summon Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack completely. This allows you to make this play at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two spells for free. This is exactly the kind of moment referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Main Combo

But the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked bluff where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* lets you relive the legacy for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the saga to date.