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A major aspect of the allure found in the Final Fantasy crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion countless cards narrate familiar stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous professional athlete whose key technique is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this perfectly. Such flavor is prevalent throughout the whole Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. Some act as poignant echoes of tragedies fans still mull over to this day.

"Moving narratives are a key component of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a lead game designer for the collaboration. "They created some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was mostly on a case-by-case level."

While the Zack Fair card is not a top-tier card, it represents one of the release's most elegant examples of narrative design by way of gameplay. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the expansion's key systems. And although it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the emotional weight behind it.

The Card's Design: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the color of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s markers, along with an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This card portrays a scene FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, conveyed solely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

For backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the duo break free. The entire time, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his comrade. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you recreate this entire event. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of armament in the set that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these three cards play out in this way: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack altogether. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards for free. This is just the kind of interaction meant when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

More Than the Obvious Combo

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes beyond just this combo. 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 kind of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

The card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it concludes. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you recreate the moment personally. You make the sacrifice. You pass the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the franchise to date.