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A core part of the charm found in the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way so many cards tell well-known tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose signature move is a specialized shot that takes a defender out of the way. The gameplay rules represent this with subtlety. Such storytelling is found across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all fun and games. Some act as heartbreaking echoes of emotional events fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Emotional tales are a vital component of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a lead designer involved with the project. "The team established some general rules, but finally, it was largely on a individual basis."

While the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the collection's most clever pieces of storytelling through gameplay. It artfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the set's central systems. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the story will instantly understand the significance behind it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to give another unit you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This card paints a sequence FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands powerfully here, conveyed completely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

For backstory, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the pair manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to take care of his companion. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the role of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Moment on the Battlefield

In a game, the abilities in essence let you recreate this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards function like this: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to cancel out the damage completely. So you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two spells for free. This is just the kind of moment referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

More Than the Central Interaction

However, the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it extends further than just these cards. 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 chosen 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 received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a small reference, but one that implicitly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to reenact the moment personally. You perform the ultimate play. You transfer the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the saga ever made.