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A core element of the charm within the Final Fantasy crossover collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion so many cards depict familiar stories. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a glimpse of the protagonist at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated professional athlete whose key technique is a specialized shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities mirror this with subtlety. Such narrative is found in the entire Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. Several act as somber reminders of tragedies fans remember vividly years after.

"Emotional tales are a central component of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior designer for the collaboration. "The team established some general rules, but in the end, it was mostly on a case-by-case level."

While the Zack Fair isn't a top-tier card, it stands as one of the release's most refined instances of storytelling through rules. It artfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments brilliantly, all while utilizing some of the product's core gameplay elements. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those acquainted with the story will immediately grasp the emotional weight embedded in it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another unit you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s counters, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics paints a moment FF fans are extremely know well, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits just as hard here, conveyed completely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

For history, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After years of imprisonment, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to look after his friend. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the role of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the rules in essence let you relive this iconic scene. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of equipment in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional combo potential with the Buster Sword, enabling you to look through your library for an equipment card. Together, these three cards unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s signature action is worded, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to negate the damage altogether. Therefore, you can do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, every time he strikes a player, lets you gain card advantage and play two cards at no cost. This is precisely the kind of moment referred to when discussing “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Beyond the Main Combo

However, the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it reaches 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 target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a small connection, but one that subtly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the memorable location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to reenact the moment for yourself. You perform the sacrifice. You hand over the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the franchise ever made.