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A core element of the allure found in the Final Fantasy crossover collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion numerous cards depict familiar narratives. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a snapshot of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose key technique is a unique shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The abilities mirror this with subtlety. Such narrative is widespread throughout the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not joyful stories. A number are somber echoes of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Moving stories are a central part of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a principal designer for the collaboration. "We built some overarching principles, but in the end, it was mostly on a case-by-case basis."

While the Zack Fair isn't a top-tier card, it is one of the collection's most clever examples of narrative design by way of gameplay. It artfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important dramatic moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the product's central mechanics. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the meaning behind it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

For one white mana (the alignment of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair is a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another creature you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

This design depicts a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates just as hard here, conveyed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

Some necessary context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to look after his companion. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by forces. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Legacy on the Game Board

In a game, the abilities effectively let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an artifact card. When used in tandem, these pieces function like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack altogether. So 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, each time he strikes a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two spells without paying their mana cost. This is exactly the kind of moment meant when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Main Interaction

However, the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it reaches past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a small nod, but one that subtly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

This design doesn't show his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked location where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing yourself. You make the sacrifice. You pass the weapon on. And for a brief second, while playing a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the saga for many fans.