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A core element of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner numerous cards narrate familiar stories. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose signature move is a specialized shot that takes a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this in nuanced ways. Such storytelling is found throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not fun and games. Several act as heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Powerful stories are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a principal game designer for the collaboration. "We built some general rules, but finally, it was largely on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the collection's most elegant examples of storytelling via mechanics. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the product's core systems. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will quickly recognize the emotional weight within it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the color of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to give another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, along with an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This card paints a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it lands with equal force here, conveyed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

For backstory, and here is your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the duo get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to protect his companion. They eventually reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the rules effectively let you reenact this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an equipment card. In combination, these pieces unfold in this way: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an attack and trigger it to prevent the damage entirely. So you can do this at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two spells without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

More Than the Obvious Interaction

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches past just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity 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 sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a small reference, but one that implicitly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable location where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the franchise ever made.