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A core part of the appeal found in the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner countless cards tell well-known tales. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the character at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose secret weapon is a fancy shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics reflect this with subtlety. Such storytelling is prevalent in the complete Final Fantasy offering, and not all fun and games. Several act as heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Emotional stories are a key component of the Final Fantasy legacy," noted a senior designer involved with the collaboration. "They created some broad guidelines, but finally, it was mostly on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the release's most refined instances of storytelling through gameplay. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments with great effect, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's central systems. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the story will immediately grasp the significance behind it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

For one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair is a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and move all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an gear, onto that other creature.

This card portrays a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new iterations in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits just as hard here, conveyed solely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Scene

Some necessary backstory, and consider this your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the friends get away. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack makes sure to look after his companion. They eventually arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Presumed dead, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Game Board

Through gameplay, the card mechanics effectively let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the collection that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, enabling you to find for an equipment card. Together, these pieces play out in this way: You summon Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Because of the design Zack’s signature action is structured, you can potentially use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and activate it to prevent the attack completely. So you can make this play at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two spells at no cost. This is precisely the kind of experience meant when talking about “emotional resonance” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Beyond the Central Combo

But the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it goes beyond just these cards. The Jenova card appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a tiny nod, but one that cleverly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

Zack’s card does not depict his end, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable location where it happens. It doesn't have to. *Magic* enables you to reenact the legacy for yourself. You perform the ultimate play. You hand over the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a strategy game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the series for many fans.