Sword of Sinew and Steel

The Sword of Sinew and Steel was introduced in the 2019 Modern Horizons set, a collection specifically designed for the Modern format of Magic: The Gathering. As a direct-to-Modern release, the set was intended to inject powerful, nostalgic, and unique mechanics into the game's ecosystem without passing through the standard draft-set rotation. The sword is part of an iconic cycle of equipment artifacts that provide protection from two specific colors of magic and powerful triggered abilities, drawing heavy inspiration from the original Mirrodin block swords that defined competitive play for years.

The card's striking illustration was crafted by artist Igor Kieryluk, who depicted the weapon as a brutal, industrial fusion of aesthetic styles to reflect its dual-color identity of Black and Red. The design emphasizes the aggressive, destruction-oriented nature of these colors by allowing the wielder to destroy both planeswalkers and artifacts upon dealing combat damage. Upon its release, the card was received as a versatile sideboard tool, valued by players for its ability to dismantle complex board states in high-stakes competitive environments.