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A core part of the charm within the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion so many cards depict well-known narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a snapshot of the hero at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose key technique is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The card's mechanics mirror this perfectly. Such storytelling is widespread in the entire Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. Several act as heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional narratives are a key element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior designer involved with the project. "The team established some overarching principles, but in the end, it was mostly on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a top-tier card, it represents one of the release's most clever instances of flavor by way of mechanics. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the expansion's key mechanics. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those who know the story will immediately grasp the significance embedded in it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

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

This card portrays a moment FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, expressed entirely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

For context, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the pair break free. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack vows to look after his companion. They finally arrive at the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the persona of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the rules effectively let you reenact this entire sequence. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud Strife card also has deliberate combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these pieces function in this way: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s key mechanic is worded, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack altogether. So you can do this at any time, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a strong 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards at no cost. This is just the kind of experience referred to when discussing “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Beyond the Main Synergy

But the flavor here is incredibly rich, 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 kind of hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small nod, but one that cleverly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

The card avoids showing his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable location where it all ends. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the passing personally. You make the sacrifice. You hand over the sword on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the saga for many fans.