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A core element of the allure within the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner so many cards depict familiar tales. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a portrait of the hero at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The abilities mirror this perfectly. Such narrative is prevalent throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all joyful stories. A number serve as somber echoes of emotional events fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Moving stories are a central element of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a lead game designer for the set. "They created some overarching principles, but finally, it was mostly on a case-by-case basis."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the collection's most refined pieces of flavor through gameplay. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the product's key gameplay elements. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the story will immediately grasp the emotional weight within it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

For one white mana (the hue of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair has a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This card depicts a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates with equal force here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

Some necessary context, and here is your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of imprisonment, the friends break free. The entire time, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to take care of his companion. They finally make it the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the card mechanics effectively let you reenact this whole scene. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards unfold in this way: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s signature action is structured, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack altogether. This allows you to perform this action at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of experience referred to when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Main Combo

But the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends beyond just this combo. The Jenova card is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This kind of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small connection, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

Zack’s card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy personally. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the legacy on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a card battle, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the saga to date.