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A core element of the allure within the *Final Fantasy* crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards narrate iconic narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a portrait of the hero at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose signature move is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics mirror this perfectly. This type of storytelling is prevalent across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. Some serve as heartbreaking callbacks of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional tales are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," noted a lead designer for the project. "We built some broad guidelines, but finally, it was largely on a case-by-case basis."

Even though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the set's most clever examples of storytelling via rules. It skillfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while leveraging some of the set's central mechanics. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the saga will instantly understand the significance embedded in it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this collection, Zack Fair is a starting stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. By spending one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.

This design portrays a moment FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, conveyed completely through rules text. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

Some necessary history, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the friends manage to escape. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his companion. They finally arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the persona of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you reenact this whole event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. When used in tandem, these pieces unfold in this way: You play Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you play and equip it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the damage altogether. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a strong 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of interaction meant when talking about “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

More Than the Main Combo

But the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card 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 also becomes a Mutant. This sort of implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle connection, but one that cleverly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the set.

The card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked cliff where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the moment for yourself. You make the ultimate play. You hand over the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a strategy game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the franchise for many fans.