🔗 Share this article

A core aspect of the appeal of the *Final Fantasy* crossover collection for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion numerous cards narrate iconic tales. Cards like the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a portrait of the protagonist at the beginning of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a fancy shot that knocks a defender out of the way. The card's mechanics mirror this in nuanced ways. These kinds of narrative is widespread throughout the whole Final Fantasy set, and not all joyful stories. Several serve as poignant reminders of sad moments fans still mull over decades later.

"Moving narratives are a vital part of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal game designer on the project. "They created some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a case-by-case level."

While the Zack Fair card is not a top-tier card, it stands as one of the release's most elegant instances of storytelling through rules. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the product's key gameplay elements. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the tale will instantly understand the significance within it.

How It Works: A Narrative in Play

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another creature you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s counters, as well as an gear, onto that other creature.

This card portrays a moment FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been retold throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates powerfully here, communicated solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Context of the Scene

A bit of backstory, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are severely injured after a clash with Sephiroth. Following years of experimentation, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack ensures to take care of his friend. They eventually reach the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the persona of a first-class SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

In a game, the abilities in essence let you recreate this whole sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of gear in the collection that requires three mana and grants the wielding creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can make Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has deliberate synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to find for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards play out as follows: You cast Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you summon Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Due to the design Zack’s signature action is worded, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to cancel out the attack completely. This allows you to make this play at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a strong 6/4 that, every time he deals combat damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two cards at no cost. This is just the kind of moment referred to when talking about “narrative impact” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

More Than the Obvious Interaction

And the narrative here is oh-so-delicious, and it extends further than just these cards. The Jenova card is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a subtle nod, but one that implicitly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

This design doesn't show his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the memorable cliff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the passing for yourself. You make the ultimate play. You pass the sword on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a card battle, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most impactful game in the series to date.