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A significant aspect of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way numerous cards depict iconic narratives. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The card's mechanics mirror this with subtlety. These kinds of flavor is prevalent throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. A number act as heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans still mull over decades later.

"Powerful narratives are a vital component of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a principal designer involved with the project. "We built some broad guidelines, but finally, it was largely on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it represents one of the collection's most clever examples of flavor by way of rules. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the product's central mechanics. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those familiar with the story will immediately grasp the emotional weight behind it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

For one white mana (the hue of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to grant another unit you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s counters, plus an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

This card portrays a moment FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, communicated solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

For context, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his companion. They finally arrive at the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the persona of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Battlefield

In a game, the abilities essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an artifact card. Together, these pieces unfold like this: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the attack entirely. This allows you to do this at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Extending Past the Central Combo

But the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches past 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 target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that cleverly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked location where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to relive the moment personally. You make the ultimate play. You hand over the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the saga ever made.