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A core part of the allure found in the Final Fantasy crossover collection for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards narrate well-known stories. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities represent this with subtlety. This type of storytelling is prevalent in the entire Final Fantasy offering, and not all fun and games. A number are poignant reminders of tragedies fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional tales are a central element of the Final Fantasy legacy," explained a principal designer on the collaboration. "We built some overarching principles, but in the end, it was mostly on a case-by-case level."

Even though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it represents one of the collection's most clever examples of flavor by way of rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the product's central mechanics. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the tale will instantly understand the emotional weight embedded in it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

For one mana of white (the hue of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair is a base stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. 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 bonuses, plus an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

These mechanics paints a scene FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been revisited again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, expressed entirely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

Some necessary backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a battle with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the friends get away. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to look after his comrade. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Abandoned, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the abilities essentially let you relive this iconic sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of gear in the collection that requires 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 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. Together, these pieces play out in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can potentially use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to prevent the damage altogether. Therefore, you can do this at any time, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a powerful 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and cast two spells for free. This is precisely the kind of interaction meant when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Beyond the Central Synergy

But the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it goes beyond just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a tiny connection, but one that implicitly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

Zack’s card doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked cliff where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to reenact the passing for yourself. You make the ultimate play. You transfer the sword on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the saga to date.