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A significant aspect of the charm within the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion countless cards narrate iconic tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a portrait of the hero at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is widespread throughout the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. Some serve as somber reminders of emotional events fans remember vividly to this day.

"Moving tales are a key component of the Final Fantasy series," noted a senior game designer on the set. "The team established some overarching principles, but finally, it was mostly on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most clever pieces of storytelling by way of gameplay. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core gameplay elements. And while it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the saga will quickly recognize the significance within it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the color of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By paying one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another unit you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s counters, plus an gear, onto that other creature.

This card depicts a sequence FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, communicated entirely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

Some necessary backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Battlefield

On the tabletop, the abilities in essence let you recreate this entire sequence. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards play out as follows: You summon 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.

Because of the design Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to negate the damage entirely. Therefore, you can perform this action at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards for free. This is just the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

More Than the Obvious Combo

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it reaches past 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 chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a subtle reference, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

Zack’s card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s confusion, or the memorable cliff where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the passing for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the legacy on. And for a brief second, while playing a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the series to date.