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A significant part of the appeal of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner so many cards depict iconic stories. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a snapshot of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that knocks a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this perfectly. This type of storytelling is prevalent throughout the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. Several act as somber echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful narratives are a vital component of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer on the set. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was primarily on a card-by-card level."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it represents one of the collection's most clever pieces of narrative design through rules. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the set's central gameplay elements. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those familiar with the saga will immediately grasp the meaning behind it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of 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 marker. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another unit you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s counters, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This design paints a scene FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, communicated solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

For context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to look after his friend. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the abilities in essence let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of armament in the set that requires three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional combo potential with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these three cards function in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains 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 manner Zack’s signature action is structured, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to prevent the damage completely. Therefore, 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, every time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two spells for free. This is exactly the kind of moment alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Central Synergy

However, the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches beyond just this combo. The Jenova card appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that implicitly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

The card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy bluff where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing personally. You choose the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the franchise to date.