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A major aspect of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards depict well-known tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose key technique is a unique shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules reflect this with subtlety. These kinds of narrative is widespread across the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all fun and games. Several act as poignant reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful tales are a central component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a lead game designer on the set. "They created some broad guidelines, but in the end, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a top-tier card, it stands as one of the set's most clever pieces of flavor through gameplay. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's central mechanics. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will quickly recognize the significance embedded in it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another ally you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s counters, along with an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

These mechanics portrays a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates just as hard here, communicated completely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

For context, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to protect his companion. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the abilities in essence let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards function like this: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to prevent the attack entirely. This allows you to do this at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two spells without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

More Than the Main Interaction

But the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes past just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of 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 suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a small connection, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

The card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to recreate the moment yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the series for many fans.