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A significant element of the allure of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way countless cards depict iconic stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a snapshot of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose secret weapon is a unique shot that takes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules represent this perfectly. These kinds of narrative is found in the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. Some are heartbreaking reminders of emotional events fans remember vividly to this day.

"Moving tales are a vital part of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a principal game designer on the set. "The team established some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was mostly on a individual basis."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the collection's most refined examples of flavor through gameplay. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the product's key gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the story will immediately grasp the significance behind it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of 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. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an gear, onto that target creature.

These mechanics paints a sequence FF fans are all too familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits with equal force here, conveyed completely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

For context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the pair get away. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack vows to take care of his friend. They eventually make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these pieces function as follows: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the damage completely. So you can perform this action at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

More Than the Main Synergy

And the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it extends beyond just these cards. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set 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 sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

The card avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked cliff where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* lets you reenact the passing personally. You choose the ultimate play. You transfer the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the saga ever made.