🔗 Share this article

A major aspect of the appeal found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way numerous cards tell familiar stories. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose key technique is a specialized shot that takes a defender aside. The abilities reflect this in nuanced ways. This type of flavor is widespread throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. Several serve as somber reminders of sad moments fans still mull over decades later.

"Moving stories are a key element of the Final Fantasy series," noted a lead designer for the collaboration. "We built some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a case-by-case basis."

Even though the Zack Fair card is not a tournament staple, it is one of the collection's most elegant examples of storytelling via gameplay. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the product's key gameplay elements. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the saga will immediately grasp the significance behind it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting 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 unit you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

These mechanics depicts a sequence FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

Some necessary context, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended testing, the duo get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack vows to protect his companion. They finally arrive at the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is killed by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the card mechanics essentially let you reenact this entire sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. Together, these pieces play out in this way: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack 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 powerful 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of experience meant when discussing “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Beyond the Obvious Combo

But the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it reaches beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This kind of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that implicitly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

The card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable cliff where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you recreate the legacy yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the saga for many fans.