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A major part of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion numerous cards depict well-known tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a specialized shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities mirror this with subtlety. These kinds of narrative is widespread in the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. A number act as poignant callbacks of emotional events fans remember vividly decades later.

"Powerful tales are a key part of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer on the project. "We built some overarching principles, but in the end, it was mostly on a individual level."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a top-tier card, it represents one of the set's most elegant instances of narrative design via mechanics. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the expansion's core systems. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the story will immediately grasp the significance embedded in it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a base power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another creature you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

This design depicts a scene FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits just as hard here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Moment

Some necessary history, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the duo manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to protect his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the rules in essence let you relive this whole scene. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards play out like this: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can actually use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to negate the damage altogether. So you can do this at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Extending Past the Obvious Interaction

But the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it extends past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

The card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to reenact the moment yourself. You make the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the saga for many fans.