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A major element of the charm of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion numerous cards depict iconic tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the hero at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose signature move is a fancy shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules represent this with subtlety. These kinds of flavor is widespread in the entire Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. A number are heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Powerful narratives are a vital part of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer involved with the set. "They created some overarching principles, but finally, it was primarily on a card-by-card basis."

Even though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most refined pieces of narrative design via rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the product's key mechanics. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the significance behind it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the color of good) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another unit you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s counters, plus an gear, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a moment FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates with equal force here, expressed solely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

For backstory, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the rules in essence let you reenact this whole sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 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 artifact card. Together, these pieces play out like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack entirely. So you can perform this action at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

More Than the Obvious Combo

And the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it extends past just these cards. The Jenova card appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way 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 subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy bluff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to reenact the passing yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You pass the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most influential game in the franchise ever made.