Soulstinger MTG Card

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 108

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 124

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Scorpion Demon
Power	4
Toughness	5

Key Takeaways

Soulstinger offers strategic board control and potential late-game advantages in black-based decks.
Its specific mana cost limits versatility but situates it strongly within mono-black or black-centric strategies.
Considering meta-relevance, Soulstinger shines where creature interactions are frequent and pivotal.

Text of card

When Soulstinger enters the battlefield, put two -1/-1 counters on target creature you control. When Soulstinger dies, you may put a -1/-1 counter on target creature for each -1/-1 counter on Soulstinger.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Soulstinger’s ability enables you to strategically eliminate key creatures on the battlefield while also setting up potential advantage for later plays. By placing -1/-1 counters upon leaving the battlefield, you manipulate the board state in your favor and potentially weaken your opponents’ strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, Soulstinger, when combined with certain synergistic cards, can be part of a larger strategy that ramps your resource development. It fits well in decks looking to exploit creatures dying, such as those with the “delirium” or “morbid” mechanics, helping to accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Soulstinger itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to interact with instant-speed spells and tricks is significant. You can respond to removal spells by strategically placing -1/-1 counters or using instants that benefit from creatures dying to gain an edge in the midst of combat or end-of-turn scenarios.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Leveraging Soulstinger demands strategic play since triggering its ability might require you to dispose of crucial cards from your hand, risking a potential setback in your game plan should the cards in play not align with your immediate strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Soulstinger to the battlefield comes with a stringent mana cost, including both black mana requirements. This specificity restricts its integration, making it less flexible for multicolored decks or those that don’t run heavily on swamps.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two that are black, there are alternative creatures or spells that could offer a more cost-effective solution or better board presence, making it crucial to weigh its inclusion against other potential options within the same mana range.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Soulstinger’s ability to manipulate -1/-1 counters makes it a flexible addition to any black-based deck. Its two triggered abilities allow for strategic play, both when it enters the battlefield and upon death.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with cards that benefit from or mitigate the impact of creatures dying or counters being placed. It can be a critical piece in complex interactions, enabling powerful board presence or fueling graveyard strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Soulstinger can thrive in environments where creatures are plentiful and board control is paramount. It efficiently handles opposing threats by doling out -1/-1 counters and can turn the tide in games centered around creature combat.

How to Beat

Soulstinger is a card that poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. This black creature card from the Amonkhet set can threaten to complicate your board state, especially when its death triggers its ability, distributing -1/-1 counters. The trick to conquering Soulstinger lies in managing the battlefield effectively and minimizing the impact of its ability when it leaves play.

One effective method to handle Soulstinger is through exile effects, which prevent the death trigger from activating. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can safely remove Soulstinger without the downside of its leaving-the-battlefield ability. Additionally, utilizing creature abilities or spells that negate counter placements, such as Melira, Sylvok Outcast, can diminish the impact Soulstinger might have on your creatures.

The key against Soulstinger is to remember that its strength lies in its death as much as its presence. By sidestepping this, or by being poised with indestructible creatures or those with protection from black, you maintain control over the battlefield state. Employing these strategies renders Soulstinger’s effect negligible, allowing you to push forward toward victory with minimal disruption to your game plan.

Cards like Soulstinger

Soulstinger is a unique creature card that brings a mix of offense and defense to MTG gameplay. Sharing a resemblance with cards like Baleful Ammit, it enters the battlefield with an impact. Just like Baleful Ammit, Soulstinger brings a -1/-1 counter gameplay aspect to the table. However, Soulstinger takes it a step further by enabling you to distribute those counters not just on itself but potentially onto other creatures as well.

Comparing Soulstinger to another creature, Obelisk Spider, the latter card also introduces -1/-1 counters, meshed with a health-draining ability that impacts your opponent each time a counter is placed. Although Obelisk Spider offers a beneficial passive ability, Soulstinger’s afterlife effect can be more devasting, especially when strategically placed counters trigger the downfall of powerful adversaries upon its demise.

When it comes to evaluating these cards, Soulstinger offers both an aggressive approach and the tactical advantage of manipulating -1/-1 counters to strengthen your board position in MTG. Its versatility in both creature removal and potential for significant impact when it leaves the battlefield places it favorably within the scope of similar creature cards.

Cards similar to Soulstinger by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Soulstinger MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Soulstinger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Soulstinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Mike Burns.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH		108	2015	Normal	Black	Mike Burns
2	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR		124	2015	Normal	Black	Mike Burns

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Soulstinger has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Soulstinger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.