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A core element of the charm found in the Final Fantasy crossover set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the fashion countless cards depict well-known narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a snapshot of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is widespread in the entire Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. Several act as heartbreaking echoes of emotional events fans still mull over decades later.

"Powerful stories are a central element of the Final Fantasy series," noted a senior designer for the collaboration. "The team established some general rules, but in the end, it was mostly on a card-by-card level."

Though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it represents one of the set's most clever pieces of storytelling through gameplay. It artfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments with great effect, all while leveraging some of the expansion's central systems. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the story will quickly recognize the meaning within it.

The Card's Design: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that chosen creature.

This design depicts a scene FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, communicated entirely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Moment

Some necessary backstory, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a battle with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack makes sure to look after his friend. They eventually make it the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the rules effectively let you reenact this entire scene. The Buster Sword is a a powerful piece of gear in the set that costs three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an artifact card. Together, these pieces unfold in this way: You cast Zack, and he receives the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s sacrifice ability is designed, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack altogether. Therefore, you can do this at a key moment, moving 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 gain card advantage and cast two spells for free. This is just the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “emotional resonance” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Obvious Interaction

However, the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it goes further than 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 chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a tiny reference, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* allows you to recreate the passing personally. You make the sacrifice. You pass the legacy on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the franchise ever made.