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A significant element of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the way countless cards depict iconic tales. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that pushes a defender aside. The gameplay rules mirror this in nuanced ways. Such narrative is found in the entire Final Fantasy set, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. Several are poignant reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Emotional stories are a central element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a senior game designer for the project. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a individual basis."

While the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it stands as one of the set's most elegant pieces of flavor by way of rules. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's key systems. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those who know the story will immediately grasp the meaning embedded in it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the alignment of good) in this set, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By paying one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to bestow another ally you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s markers, plus an Equipment, onto that other creature.

This card depicts a scene FF fans are all too know well, a moment that has been reimagined multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits powerfully here, communicated entirely through card abilities. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Card

Some necessary backstory, 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. After extended imprisonment, the pair manage to escape. The entire time, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to protect his comrade. They finally arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by forces. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Moment on the Tabletop

In a game, the rules effectively let you reenact this iconic event. The Buster Sword is a a strong piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to find for an weapon card. In combination, these three cards play out in this way: You cast 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.

Owing to the way Zack’s signature action is worded, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to cancel out the damage completely. Therefore, you can do this at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 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 meant when discussing “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Central Synergy

And the thematic here is deeply satisfying, and it goes past just this combo. The Jenova card appears in the collection 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 kind of hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that subtly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.

Zack’s card doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the stormy location where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you recreate the passing for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a card battle, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most influential game in the saga ever made.