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A core element of the appeal within the Final Fantasy crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner numerous cards narrate well-known narratives. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules represent this perfectly. These kinds of narrative is found throughout the whole Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. Some serve as somber callbacks of tragedies fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Emotional tales are a key element of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a principal designer involved with the set. "They created some general rules, but in the end, it was mostly on a card-by-card level."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it stands as one of the release's most clever pieces of storytelling by way of mechanics. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's key systems. And while it avoids revealing anything, those who know the tale will instantly understand the emotional weight behind it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one mana of white (the alignment of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair is a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This design portrays a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates with equal force here, conveyed solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

A bit of backstory, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the friends break free. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to take care of his friend. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an artifact card. Together, these pieces function like this: You cast Zack, and he receives 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 manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the damage entirely. This allows you to 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, whenever he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Obvious Combo

And 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 chosen creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This sort of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small reference, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

The card doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the sword on. And for a brief second, while playing a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the franchise ever made.