Zack Fair Proves How Magic's Universes Beyond Are Capable of Telling Meaningful Narratives.

A major part of the appeal within the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion numerous cards tell familiar narratives. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated sports star whose signature move is a specialized shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities mirror this in nuanced ways. This type of flavor is widespread across the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. Several serve as heartbreaking callbacks of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Moving narratives are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a senior designer involved with the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but in the end, it was largely on a individual basis."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it represents one of the set's most clever pieces of storytelling via rules. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the set's central systems. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the tale will instantly understand the significance within it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of good) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 token. By spending one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another unit you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an gear, onto that target creature.

This card paints a moment FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it lands just as hard here, communicated entirely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. Following years of imprisonment, the friends break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to take care of his friend. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Game Board

In a game, the card mechanics in essence let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to search your deck for an equipment card. Together, these three cards play out in this way: You play Zack, and he receives 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 design Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack altogether. So you can do this at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards for free. This is exactly the kind of moment meant when discussing “emotional resonance” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Extending Past the Main Interaction

And the flavor here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This kind of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a tiny reference, but one that implicitly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy cliff where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the moment yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You hand over the legacy on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a strategy game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the saga ever made.