Zack Fair Demonstrates That Magic's Crossover Sets Are Capable of Telling Powerful Narratives.
A core part of the charm found in the Final Fantasy crossover release for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion numerous cards depict familiar narratives. Take for instance Tidus, Blitzball Star, which offers a glimpse of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose signature move is a unique shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics reflect this perfectly. These kinds of narrative is widespread across the complete Final Fantasy set, and some are not lighthearted tales. A number are poignant reminders of sad moments fans still mull over years after.
"Moving stories are a key element of the Final Fantasy series," explained a principal designer for the collaboration. "They created some general rules, but in the end, it was primarily on a case-by-case basis."
Even though the Zack Fair is not a top-tier card, it is one of the collection's most elegant instances of flavor through mechanics. It masterfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial story moments in spectacular fashion, all while capitalizing on some of the expansion's central gameplay elements. And while it steers clear of spoiling anything, those familiar with the story will immediately grasp the emotional weight behind it.
How It Works: Story Through Gameplay
At a cost of one mana of white (the hue of protagonists) in this set, Zack Fair has a starting stat line of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one generic mana, you can remove from play the card to bestow another ally you control indestructible and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, as well as an artifact weapon, onto that target creature.
This design depicts a scene FF fans are very remember, a moment that has been retold multiple times — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. And yet it resonates just as hard here, communicated completely through card abilities. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then inherits the Buster Sword as his own.
A Spoiler for the Moment
For history, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a confrontation with Sephiroth. Following extended testing, the duo break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his friend. They eventually reach the plains outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by forces. Left behind, Cloud in that moment claims Zack’s Buster Sword and assumes the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.
Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Tabletop
On the tabletop, the abilities in essence let you relive this whole event. The Buster Sword is featured as a powerful piece of gear in the collection that requires three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a respectable 4/6 with the Buster Sword wielded.
The Cloud Strife card also has clear interaction with the Buster Sword, letting you to search your deck for an equipment card. Together, these three cards function as follows: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.
Owing to the design Zack’s sacrifice ability is worded, you can potentially use it during combat, meaning you can “block” an attack and activate it to negate the damage altogether. Therefore, you can make this play at a key moment, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, each time he deals combat damage a player, lets you pull extra cards and play two cards at no cost. This is just the kind of moment alluded to when discussing “flavorful design” — not spoiling the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.
Beyond the Central Combo
However, the flavor here is incredibly rich, and it extends beyond just Zack and Cloud. 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 in a way hints that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, figuratively, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. It's a subtle nod, but one that subtly connects the entire SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the expansion.
The card does not depict his death, or Cloud’s confusion, or the stormy location where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* lets you recreate the passing yourself. You make the ultimate play. You transfer the sword on. And for a short instant, while enjoying a trading card game, you recall why *Final Fantasy 7* is still the most impactful game in the series to date.
