Zack Fair Demonstrates That Magic's Universes Beyond Can Tell Meaningful Narratives.
A major aspect of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond release for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner countless cards narrate familiar stories. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a portrait of the character 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 abilities mirror this perfectly. Such flavor is widespread across the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not joyful stories. Some are heartbreaking reminders of emotional events fans still mull over years after.
"Powerful tales are a central component of the Final Fantasy franchise," noted a senior designer on the project. "The team established some general rules, but finally, it was mostly on a card-by-card basis."
Even though the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it represents one of the release's most elegant examples of flavor by way of gameplay. It skillfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal dramatic moments with great effect, all while utilizing some of the set's central mechanics. And while it doesn't spoil anything, those who know the story will quickly recognize the significance within it.
The Card's Design: Flavor in Rules
At a cost of one white mana (the color of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting power and toughness of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 token. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to grant another ally you control protection from destruction and put all of Zack’s counters, as well as an gear, onto that chosen creature.
These mechanics depicts a sequence FF fans are extremely familiar with, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the original *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it resonates just as hard here, communicated solely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then picks up the Buster Sword as his own.
The Story Behind the Scene
For backstory, and take this as your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. After extended experimentation, the pair break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack vows to look after his friend. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, 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*.
Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop
Through gameplay, the abilities effectively let you recreate this whole sequence. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and gives the wielding creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can transform Zack into a solid 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.
The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an weapon card. When used in tandem, these three cards function in this way: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.
Because of the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is structured, you can actually use it when blocking, meaning you can “intercept” an attack and trigger it to prevent the attack entirely. This allows you to perform this action at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He then becomes a formidable 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two spells for free. This is precisely the kind of experience alluded to when discussing “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the gameplay trigger the recollection.
Beyond the Central Combo
However, the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a chosen creature, which then becomes a Mutant. This sort of implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that implicitly ties the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the expansion.
Zack’s card avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy cliff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* lets you reenact the legacy for yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You transfer the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while enjoying a trading card game, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most beloved game in the saga ever made.
