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A major element of the charm of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion numerous cards narrate familiar tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a portrait of the hero at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of flavor is found throughout the complete Final Fantasy set, and not all fun and games. Several act as poignant echoes of tragedies fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Emotional stories are a central component of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior game designer on the project. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was largely on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair is not a tournament staple, it is one of the release's most refined instances of flavor via gameplay. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important cinematic moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the product's central systems. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the saga will quickly recognize the emotional weight embedded in it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of good) in this set, Zack Fair has a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s counters, as well as an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This card depicts a sequence FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, conveyed completely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

Some necessary context, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following years of imprisonment, the friends get away. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to protect his companion. They finally reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the rules essentially let you reenact this entire event. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an artifact card. In combination, these pieces function in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s signature action is worded, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the attack altogether. This allows you to do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, every time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two cards at no cost. This is exactly the kind of experience alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the gameplay evoke the memory.

More Than the Main Interaction

But the thematic here is deeply satisfying, 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, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a small reference, but one that subtly links the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked bluff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the legacy personally. You choose the ultimate play. You pass the weapon on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the saga for many fans.