Lethal Sting MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 67
2019-11-07 - Number 700
2020-08-13 - Number 110
2020-09-26 - Number HOU-67
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
As an additional cost to cast Lethal Sting, put a -1/-1 counter on a creature you control. Destroy target creature.
Initiates once believed defeat was the worst fate possible—a sentiment they quickly abandoned.
Cards like Lethal Sting
Lethal Sting is a unique addition to black control cards in Magic: The Gathering, bringing its own flavor of removal to the table. This spell draws a parallel with other removal spells like Murder, which provides a straightforward way to destroy any target creature without any additional requirements. Lethal Sting offers a nuanced perspective by adding a -1/-1 counter to a creature you control as part of its casting cost, thus turning the creature you already control into a necessary component for the spell’s execution.
Another comparable card is Grasp of Darkness, which, like Lethal Sting, can deal with most creatures. While Grasp of Darkness doesn’t make you put a counter on your creature, it does require double black mana and only gives creatures -4/-4 until end of turn. In contrast, Lethal Sting’s permanent -1/-1 counter can be advantageous in a deck utilizing counter synergies. Then there’s the card Fatal Push, renown for its efficiency in dealing with low-cost creatures and even larger threats if a permanent you controlled left the battlefield that turn, offering flexibility missing in Lethal Sting’s mechanics.
Consequently, Lethal Sting holds its ground in the array of black control spells in MTG, marked particularly by its potential interaction with your own creatures, which can turn the required sacrifice into an unexpected boon.
Cards similar to Lethal Sting by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lethal Sting provides the opportunity to manage your battlefield while maintaining your hand. You can place a -1/-1 counter on a creature you control in exchange for the removal of a potentially more threatening creature your opponent controls, effectively balancing the board without losing card presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Lethal Sting doesn’t directly produce mana or treasure, it can be considered a form of resource acceleration as it removes blockers or threats without expending multiple cards. This potentially frees up your mana for other strategic plays, keeping you ahead in the resource race.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Lethal Sting cannot be cast at instant speed; however, its strategic impact on the game might be similar to what one could expect from instant-speed interaction. By planning ahead and using it during your main phase, you can create openings for your attacks or disrupt your opponent’s planned synergies at crucial moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lethal Sting demands that you put a -1/-1 counter on a creature you control as part of its casting. This self-imposed drawback can be problematic, especially if you’re running low on creatures or are reliant on every one of your creatures’ strength to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: With a specific mana cost that includes black, Lethal Sting requires a firm commitment to black mana sources in your deck. This can complicate your mana base, particularly in multicolor decks where mana flexibility is critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might seem fair, but when efficiency is key, there are alternative removal spells in the game that get the job done without the additional cost of weakening your own creatures. These alternatives can often provide the same, if not more, value rendering Lethal Sting less appealing in fast-paced or highly competitive environments.
Reasons to Include Lethal Sting in Your Collection
Versatility: Lethal Sting works seamlessly in any deck that is heavy on counters, such as those exploiting the proliferate mechanic or requiring a means to place +1/+1 counters on creatures for added benefits.
Combo Potential: It also can act as a cornerstone in combo builds, assisting in the activation of abilities that trigger on placing or removing counters, potentially clearing the way for an unobstructed attack or enabling certain win conditions.
Meta-Relevance: Given the landscape often adorned with formidable creatures, having a removal option like Lethal Sting in your collection ensures you can deal with threats across a spectrum of offensive strategies, keeping you on top of the competition.
How to Beat
Lethal Sting presents itself as a peculiar challenge in the form of removal in the Magic: The Gathering arena. The ability to place a -1/-1 counter on a creature can be a subtle yet powerful tactic, disrupting your opponent’s board state. But like every strategy, there are ways to turn the tables against this card. The key to overcoming Lethal Sting lies in utilizing creatures that thrive on counters or ones that are expendable by nature.
Utilizing creatures with undying or persist abilities, for instance, can nullify the impact of Lethal Sting. Since these creatures come back when they die, the -1/-1 counter from Lethal Sting might even reset their toughness, readying them for another round. Indestructible creatures also stand strong against such targeted removal, as they ignore the lethal consequences of the negative counters. Additionally, having sacrificial creatures that you can afford to lose or that will trigger beneficial effects upon dying can also help you maintain your position on the battlefield despite your opponent’s attempts to pierce through with Lethal Sting.
At its core, understanding and anticipating removal cards and crafting your deck with resilient or synergistic creatures is essential in forging a path to victory in Magic: The Gathering, especially when facing threats like Lethal Sting.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lethal Sting MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Mystery Booster, 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 Lethal Sting and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Lethal Sting Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Randy Vargas.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 700 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 110 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | HOU-67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lethal Sting 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 Lethal Sting card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | If you don’t control any creatures or can’t put any -1/-1 counters on any creature you control, you can’t cast Lethal Sting. |