🔗 Share this article

A core aspect of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* crossover collection for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion countless cards depict familiar narratives. Consider Tidus, Blitzball Star, which gives a glimpse of the protagonist at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a celebrated sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender out of the way. The abilities reflect this with subtlety. These kinds of flavor is prevalent across the entire Final Fantasy offering, and not all fun and games. Several act as poignant reminders of sad moments fans continue to reflect on to this day.

"Powerful narratives are a key part of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a principal designer for the set. "They created some overarching principles, but finally, it was largely on a individual level."

While the Zack Fair card isn't a competitive powerhouse, it is one of the release's most elegant instances of storytelling via gameplay. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the expansion's key mechanics. And even if it doesn't spoil anything, those familiar with the story will quickly recognize the significance embedded in it.

The Card's Design: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the color of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a base power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another ally you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that other creature.

This card paints a moment FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, communicated entirely through gameplay mechanics. 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 take this as your *FF7* warning: Before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a confrontation with Sephiroth. After extended imprisonment, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is delirious, but Zack ensures to look after his companion. They finally arrive at the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Left behind, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

Through gameplay, the rules effectively let you reenact this iconic event. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the set that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an equipment card. In combination, these pieces function like this: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Because of the way Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can technically use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to negate the damage altogether. Therefore, you can make this play at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, whenever he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two cards at no cost. This is just the kind of experience meant when discussing “narrative impact” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay make you remember.

Beyond the Obvious Interaction

And the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it goes further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova card is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This kind of hints that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he received, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. It's a tiny reference, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the rain-soaked cliff where it happens. It does not need to. *Magic* allows you to reenact the passing for yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a short instant, while engaged in a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the saga for many fans.