The Zack Fair Card Illustrates That Magic's Universes Beyond Are Capable of Telling Powerful Stories.

A significant aspect of the appeal of the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the way countless cards tell well-known narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a portrait of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that pushes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this perfectly. This type of flavor is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all joyful stories. Some are poignant reminders of emotional events fans still mull over decades later.

"Moving narratives are a key component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a lead game designer on the set. "They created some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was largely on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair card may not be a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the release's most clever pieces of narrative design by way of gameplay. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal cinematic moments brilliantly, all while leveraging some of the expansion's core gameplay elements. And although it avoids revealing anything, those who know the story will instantly understand the meaning behind it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

For one white mana (the alignment of good) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. By spending one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This card depicts a sequence FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, conveyed solely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

For context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended testing, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to take care of his comrade. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. In combination, these three cards unfold in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the attack completely. Therefore, 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, whenever he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Extending Past the Central Synergy

But the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it goes beyond just this combo. The Jenova card is part of the set 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 kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that implicitly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

Zack’s card doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy location where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to recreate the passing personally. You choose the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the franchise ever made.