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A significant part of the allure within the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* is the manner so many cards tell well-known narratives. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which gives a portrait of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose signature move is a specialized shot that takes a defender aside. The card's mechanics reflect this in nuanced ways. This type of storytelling is found across the complete Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all lighthearted tales. Some are poignant echoes of sad moments fans continue to reflect on decades later.

"Powerful tales are a key component of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a senior game designer on the set. "The team established some general rules, but finally, it was primarily on a case-by-case basis."

Though the Zack Fair card may not be a tournament staple, it is one of the set's most clever pieces of flavor through rules. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the set's key gameplay elements. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those who know the story will immediately grasp the emotional weight within it.

The Mechanics: Flavor in Rules

At a cost of one white mana (the alignment of heroes) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one generic mana, you can sacrifice the card to grant another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s counters, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

This design portrays a scene FF fans are very know well, a moment that has been revisited throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. Yet it hits with equal force here, communicated completely through rules text. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

Some necessary backstory, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the duo break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack vows to take care of his comrade. They eventually arrive at the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is gunned down by troops. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Tabletop

Through gameplay, the card mechanics in essence let you recreate this iconic scene. The Buster Sword appears as a top-tier piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an artifact card. Together, these pieces play out in this way: You cast Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to cancel out the damage completely. This allows you to make this play at a key moment, moving the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a strong 6/4 that, each time he strikes a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two spells without paying their mana cost. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when talking about “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics evoke the memory.

Beyond the Central Interaction

But the thematic here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends past just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This sort of suggests that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a subtle nod, but one that subtly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.

Zack’s card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s trauma, or the memorable bluff where it concludes. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to recreate the passing for yourself. You make the sacrifice. You hand over the legacy on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most influential game in the franchise to date.