Voldaren Stinger MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 167
2022-01-28 - Number 167
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Voldaren Stinger provides hidden depth with cycling for card selection and maintaining game pace.
- Its cost and utility bolster aggressive strategies while supporting resource ramp.
- Instant speed cycling offers adaptability, allowing responses to game dynamics.
Text of card
Voldaren Stinger has first strike as long as it's attacking. : Voldaren Stinger gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
A duel to first blood means something very different when a vampire is involved.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Voldaren Stinger may seem simple at first glance, but its ability to be cycled offers incremental card advantage. Cycle it away to dig deeper into your deck for key pieces without losing pace.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, this card can hit the board quickly, enabling strategies that require a creature presence to ramp up resources. Its synergy with various resource-accelerating mechanics, like “Bloodthirsty,” where it becomes stronger when the opponent has lost life, makes it versatile in aggressive decks.
Instant Speed: Activating the cycling ability of the Voldaren Stinger is not restricted to any phase or turn, giving it instant speed utility. This flexibility allows players to adapt to the flow of the game, making strategic decisions that can alter the course of a match on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Voldaren Stinger requires a discard from the player in order to transform, which might deplete valuable cards from their hand, especially in tight gameplay situations.
Specific Mana Cost: It needs a red mana to cast, thereby restricting its playability primarily to mono-red or multicolored decks that incorporate red mana in their pool.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a necessity for three mana to be converted into a modest combatant, some players may find it less appealing compared to other creatures at a similar cost offering greater immediate impact or versatility.
Reasons to Include Voldaren Stinger in Your Collection
Versatility: Voldaren Stinger is a low-cost creature card that can easily fit into red aggro decks or vampire tribal decks. Its ability to ping opponents or planeswalkers provides incremental advantage over the course of a game.
Combo Potential: The Stinger’s low cost also makes it an ideal choice for combos, particularly with cards that care about instants and sorceries being cast, or those that trigger upon dealing direct damage to an opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small, aggressive creatures see play, Voldaren Stinger can be a useful card to keep pressure on opponents while potentially disrupting their early game plans.
How to beat
Voldaren Stinger is a staple in aggressive red decks within Magic: The Gathering, offering an early game threat that can be transformed to apply pressure on an opponent. When facing this card, the key is to neutralize it before it flips into a Voldaren Bloodcaster, at which point its ability to generate Blood tokens and bat tokens can become a significant obstacle.
To efficiently deal with Voldaren Stinger, consider keeping low-cost removal spells in hand, aimed at clearing out low-toughness creatures early on. Sweepers can also be effective if you’re dealing with multiple threats at once. Timing is crucial; removing the stinger before the opponent ends their turn may force them to spend resources prematurely or adapt their strategy. Moreover, board control decks with ample spot removal or creatures with reach can hamper the efforts of a transformed Bloodcaster, stifling the advantage it seeks to establish from the skies.
Maintaining board presence while strategically planning your removals can tilt the odds in your favor against Voldaren Stinger, ultimately dampening the impact of this aggressive card and keeping you in control of the game tempo.
Cards like Voldaren Stinger
Voldaren Stinger is an intriguing inclusion in the range of aggressive creatures in MTG. Its abilities and stats draw parallels with cards like Falkenrath Reaver, sharing the same mana cost and creature type. Yet, Voldaren Stinger shines with its ping effect, allowing incremental damage over time. Falkenrath Reaver, lacking this, is purely an early combatant.
In the same sphere, we have cards like Firebrand Archer that also channels damage through its triggered ability. However, the Archer can affect each opponent, not just one as with the Stinger, and it triggers on noncreature spells instead. This makes it a card with a wider scope but requires a specific deck focus to maximize its potential.
Exploring another kindred spirit, Thermo-Alchemist stands out with its defender ability but compensates with the ability to untap and deal repeated damage. Although it doesn’t have the direct attack capability of Voldaren Stinger, the Alchemist can fit into decks that cast many spells per turn, potentially dealing substantial damage across multiple turns.
Voldaren Stinger carves out its niche within MTG’s creatures with its mix of offensive potential and steady damage output, making it a distinct choice for players crafting aggressive strategies.
Cards similar to Voldaren Stinger by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Voldaren Stinger MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Voldaren Stinger and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Voldaren Stinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Martina Fačková.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Martina Fačková | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Martina Fačková |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Voldaren Stinger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
