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A major aspect of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards tell well-known narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose secret weapon is a unique shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics represent this perfectly. These kinds of storytelling is found in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and not all joyful stories. Several serve as poignant echoes of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Moving narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a lead game designer involved with the project. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was largely on a individual basis."

While the Zack Fair card isn't a top-tier card, it represents one of the release's most refined instances of flavor by way of gameplay. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the set's core systems. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the significance embedded in it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the alignment of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, along with an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a sequence FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates with equal force here, communicated completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

A bit of backstory, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the friends get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to take care of his comrade. They finally reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you relive this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an equipment card. Together, these pieces unfold in this way: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the damage completely. So you can make this play at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Central Synergy

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends beyond just this combo. 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 sort of hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that subtly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable cliff where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to reenact the passing for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You pass the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the series for many fans.