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A major aspect of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion countless cards tell well-known tales. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a glimpse of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a fancy shot that takes a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics reflect this with subtlety. This type of storytelling is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. A number are heartbreaking reminders of emotional events fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Emotional tales are a central part of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a principal game designer involved with the project. "We built some general rules, but ultimately, it was mostly on a individual level."

Even though the Zack Fair card isn't a tournament staple, it is one of the release's most elegant examples of flavor by way of gameplay. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the set's core mechanics. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the meaning within it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

For one white mana (the color of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By paying one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another creature you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an Equipment, onto that chosen creature.

This card portrays a scene FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it resonates with equal force here, expressed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

A bit of backstory, and here is your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a battle with Sephiroth. Following years of testing, the duo manage to escape. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to take care of his comrade. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the identity of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules in essence let you recreate this entire scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of equipment in the collection that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can transform Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these three cards play out as follows: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the manner Zack’s signature action is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack completely. Therefore, you can perform this action at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two cards for free. This is just the kind of interaction alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

More Than the Obvious Interaction

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it goes past just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the set 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 sort of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a tiny connection, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

This design does not depict his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to relive the passing yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the sword on. And for a short instant, while playing a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the saga to date.