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A core part of the appeal of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way so many cards depict well-known tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a specialized shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this perfectly. This type of storytelling is widespread in the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all fun and games. Some are somber echoes of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Moving stories are a key element of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a principal game designer on the project. "The team established some overarching principles, but in the end, it was mostly on a case-by-case basis."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most elegant pieces of flavor by way of rules. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the set's core mechanics. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will quickly recognize the emotional weight embedded in it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one mana of white (the alignment of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an gear, onto that other creature.

This design depicts a scene FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, conveyed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

Some necessary history, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the friends break free. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack vows to take care of his friend. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Abandoned, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

In a game, the rules essentially let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these pieces unfold in this way: You cast Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to negate the damage altogether. So you can make this play at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction referred to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Extending Past the Main Synergy

But the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes further than just these cards. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of 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 implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that implicitly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy location where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing personally. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the sword on. And for a brief second, while playing a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the saga to date.