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A significant part of the appeal within the *Final Fantasy* crossover collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner so many cards narrate iconic stories. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities mirror this in nuanced ways. These kinds of storytelling is prevalent in the entire Final Fantasy offering, and some are not joyful stories. A number act as somber echoes of tragedies fans still mull over decades later.

"Emotional tales are a central part of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior game designer for the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but in the end, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Though the Zack Fair card may not be a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most elegant examples of storytelling by way of mechanics. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core systems. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the tale will quickly recognize the meaning within it.

How It Works: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an gear, onto that other creature.

These mechanics portrays a moment FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands powerfully here, communicated completely through rules text. 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 backstory, 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 extended imprisonment, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They finally reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Battlefield

In a game, the rules effectively let you relive this whole sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these pieces play out as follows: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack completely. This allows you to do this at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Main Interaction

However, the thematic here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set 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 in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny connection, but one that subtly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy bluff where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the passing personally. You perform the sacrifice. You hand over the weapon on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the series to date.