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A major element of the allure of the *Final Fantasy* crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards narrate iconic stories. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a glimpse of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics reflect this in nuanced ways. This type of storytelling is found across the whole Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. Some act as poignant echoes of sad moments fans still mull over to this day.

"Powerful narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a lead designer involved with the set. "The team established some broad guidelines, but finally, it was mostly on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the collection's most refined examples of narrative design through rules. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the set's central systems. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the saga will immediately grasp the meaning embedded in it.

The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the color of good) 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 generic mana, you can destroy the card to bestow another ally you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This design paints a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits powerfully here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

A bit of context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the friends get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They finally arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules in essence let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a strong piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an equipment card. Together, these three cards play out in this way: You cast Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the attack entirely. This allows you to perform this action at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards at no cost. This is just the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

More Than the Main Combo

But the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it extends further than just these cards. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a small nod, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked bluff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you recreate the moment personally. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a short instant, while playing a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the series for many fans.