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A major aspect of the appeal of the Final Fantasy crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the manner so many cards depict familiar narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a snapshot of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities represent this perfectly. This type of storytelling is found throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and not all lighthearted tales. Several act as somber reminders of emotional events fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful narratives are a central part of the Final Fantasy series," noted a senior designer for the set. "They created some overarching principles, but in the end, it was primarily on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a top-tier card, it stands as one of the release's most refined examples of storytelling through rules. It artfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the set's key mechanics. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the saga will quickly recognize the significance within it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another ally you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s markers, along with an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics depicts a moment FF fans are very familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

For backstory, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the pair break free. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to protect his companion. They finally arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Presumed dead, 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*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the abilities in essence let you relive this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the set that requires three mana and gives the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword wielded.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an equipment card. Together, these pieces function like this: You cast Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to prevent the attack completely. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards without paying their mana cost. This is exactly the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the card design make you remember.

Beyond the Main Combo

And the narrative here is incredibly rich, and it reaches beyond just these cards. 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 target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a subtle reference, but one that cleverly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

Zack’s card doesn't show his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy location where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you relive the legacy for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You hand over the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the franchise to date.