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A major part of the appeal found in the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner countless cards narrate familiar stories. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which provides a portrait of the protagonist at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a wildly famous sports star whose secret weapon is a unique shot that takes a defender aside. The gameplay rules reflect this in nuanced ways. These kinds of flavor is prevalent throughout the entire Final Fantasy offering, and some are not lighthearted tales. Several serve as heartbreaking reminders of sad moments fans still mull over years after.

"Powerful narratives are a vital component of the Final Fantasy series," wrote a principal designer for the set. "They created some overarching principles, but finally, it was primarily on a individual level."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a tournament staple, it is one of the collection's most elegant examples of narrative design by way of gameplay. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial dramatic moments brilliantly, all while leveraging some of the product's central systems. And even if it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the saga will instantly understand the significance within it.

How It Works: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair is a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can destroy the card to grant another ally you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This card depicts a sequence FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even new versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it hits with equal force here, conveyed completely through card abilities. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

A Spoiler for the Card

A bit of history, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of imprisonment, the duo manage to escape. Throughout this period, Cloud is barely conscious, but Zack vows to protect his comrade. They eventually reach the edge outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a elite SOLDIER, setting the stage for the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Legacy on the Tabletop

On the tabletop, the abilities effectively let you recreate this whole event. The Buster Sword is a a top-tier piece of armament in the set that requires three mana and gives 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 equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, allowing you to search your deck for an weapon card. Together, these pieces unfold like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the way Zack’s signature action is designed, you can technically use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack completely. So you can do this at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a formidable 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two spells for free. This is exactly the kind of interaction referred to when talking about “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

More Than the Central Combo

However, the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it goes beyond just these cards. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the set 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 sort of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. This is a subtle reference, but one that subtly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter mechanic in the expansion.

The card does not depict his demise, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the rain-soaked cliff where it happens. It isn't necessary. *Magic* allows you to recreate the legacy yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You hand over the weapon on. And for a brief second, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the series for many fans.