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A significant part of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the way so many cards tell familiar tales. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose signature move is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this perfectly. Such flavor is found in the whole Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. Some act as heartbreaking reminders of emotional events fans still mull over decades later.

"Moving tales are a central component of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a principal designer involved with the project. "The team established some overarching principles, but in the end, it was primarily on a card-by-card level."

While the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it is one of the set's most elegant pieces of narrative design through mechanics. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the expansion's central mechanics. And although it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the story will immediately grasp the meaning within it.

The Card's Design: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another creature you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s counters, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

This design depicts a moment FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits powerfully here, expressed completely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Scene

Some necessary backstory, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the pair get away. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to look after his friend. They finally make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Tabletop

In a game, the rules effectively let you recreate this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these three cards unfold like this: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack entirely. Therefore, you can do this at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, every time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of moment alluded to when talking about “narrative impact” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Beyond the Central Synergy

However, the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends beyond just Zack and Cloud. 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 target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small reference, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable bluff where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you recreate the passing personally. You choose the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the series for many fans.