Zack Fair Proves That Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Are Capable of Telling Meaningful Stories.

A major part of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way numerous cards depict familiar stories. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose secret weapon is a unique shot that pushes a defender aside. The abilities reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is found throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. A number act as heartbreaking reminders of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional stories are a key element of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a senior designer for the project. "We built some general rules, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case basis."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it stands as one of the set's most refined instances of narrative design through gameplay. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the set's core mechanics. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the saga will quickly recognize the meaning embedded in it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the color of good) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s markers, along with an gear, onto that target creature.

These mechanics paints a scene FF fans are all too familiar with, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates powerfully here, conveyed entirely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

For context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the friends manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to take care of his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by forces. Left behind, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the role of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Battlefield

In a game, the abilities essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is a a strong piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these pieces play out in this way: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the attack completely. So you can do this at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards without paying their mana cost. This is just the kind of experience referred to when discussing “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

More Than the Obvious Interaction

But the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it goes further than just these cards. The Jenova card appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that cleverly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing personally. You perform the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while engaged in a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the franchise for many fans.