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A significant part of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion so many cards depict iconic tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose signature move is a fancy shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this with subtlety. This type of narrative is prevalent throughout the whole Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. Some serve as poignant echoes of tragedies fans still mull over decades later.

"Moving narratives are a vital element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer involved with the collaboration. "The team established some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most refined examples of narrative design via gameplay. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the expansion's central systems. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the story will instantly understand the meaning within it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another unit you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, along with an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a scene FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates with equal force here, communicated completely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

Some necessary backstory, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended testing, the pair manage to escape. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack vows to take care of his friend. They eventually reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Tabletop

In a game, the rules in essence let you reenact this iconic event. 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. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an artifact card. Together, these three cards unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s signature action is designed, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to cancel out the damage 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, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two spells at no cost. This is precisely the kind of moment meant when discussing “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

More Than the Obvious Combo

However, the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it goes past just Zack and Cloud. 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 additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This kind of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable cliff where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to relive the passing personally. You choose the ultimate play. You hand over the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the series ever made.