Tug of War

Tug of War was released in 2022 as part of the Unfinity set, the fourth installment in Wizards of the Coast's Un-series. These sets are designed as a lighthearted departure from traditional Magic: The Gathering gameplay, focusing on silver-bordered or acorn-stamped cards that utilize mechanics that are often too chaotic, humorous, or physically interactive for standard tournament play. The design intent for this specific card was to translate the literal act of a tug-of-war into a tactile mini-game that forces opponents to engage physically with their cards.

The card was illustrated by Sergey Glushakov, who utilized a vibrant, carnival-inspired art style consistent with the retro-futuristic space circus aesthetic of the Unfinity expansion. In terms of reception, the card is recognized primarily for its role as a disruptive, interactive element in casual Commander games or kitchen-table play. Because it requires players to physically pull on the card, it is frequently cited by the community as a quintessential example of the boundary-pushing, experimental design space that the Un-sets are meant to explore.