Plague Stinger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Insect Horror
Abilities Flying,Infect
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Early infect pressure can tilt games quickly in your favor with Plague Stinger’s presence.
  2. Strategic inclusion in decks is crucial due to Plague Stinger’s specific mana cost.
  3. Protecting and exploiting its infect ability through combos is a pathway to swift victories.

Text of card

Flying Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

It leaves its victims one sting closer to phyresis.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Plague Stinger not only poses a threat on the board due to its infect ability but can also offer card advantage when paired with proliferate mechanics, enabling counters to multiply and intensifying the pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: As a low mana cost creature, Plague Stinger accelerates your effective damage output early in the game, potentially transforming even a slight resource edge into a commanding position by inflicting infect counters quickly.

Instant Speed: While Plague Stinger itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its presence can synergize well with instant speed tricks and removals. This combo can be advantageous, as it allows you to clear the way for its infect damage or protect it from threats when timing is crucial.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Plague Stinger comes with the advantage of infect, the requirement to discard a card to certain synergistic effects can be a downside when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Plague Stinger’s cost calls for one black mana, which is not always readily available in multi-color decks, potentially restricting its integration outside mono-black or heavy black-inclusive deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being a 2-drop creature, in an environment where low-cost creatures are exceedingly valuable, the combined cost of color specificity and potential need for additional cards to exploit its infect ability may seem less than optimal when compared to other options that might provide more immediate board influence.


Reasons to Include Plague Stinger in Your Collection

Versatility: Plague Stinger is flexible enough to be included in a variety of black and green decks. Its flying ability allows it to be a consistent source of damage, while its infect ensures that even a small amount of damage can be lethal over time.

Combo Potential: The infect ability of Plague Stinger makes it a prime candidate for buffs and synergies with other cards that increase its power or provide evasion abilities. Its potential to end games quickly when combined with cards that grant additional counters or double damage is notable.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where the life total is closely contested, Plague Stinger shines by applying pressure without needing to whittle down the opponent’s life points. Its relevance grows in metagames that are light on flying blockers or in infect-centric strategies.


How to beat

The Plague Stinger is a notable card that has found its place in infect strategies within Magic: The Gathering. This unassuming 1/1 creature harbors the potent infect ability, dealing damage in the form of -1/-1 counters and potentially ending a game quickly if left unchecked. However, even the deadliest of creatures have their vulnerabilities.

One effective tactic to counter Plague Stinger is the use of removal spells. Instant-speed interactions such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the stinger before it has the chance to apply its venomous counters. Board wipes like Wrath of God also reset the playing field, clearing away these pesky threats. Additionally, enchantments that prevent damage or block infect, like Melira, Sylvok Outcast, can neutralize the stinger’s advantage. Implementing blockers with reach or flying can deter or at least slow down the onslaught of this swift assailant.

Hence, while the Plague Stinger demands respect on the battlefield, a well-prepared mage with the right spells or creatures can thwart its toxic ambitions, ensuring it never delivers its virulent payload. Players can leverage the diversity of Magic: The Gathering’s card pool to cultivate strategies that not only survive an infect strategy but can thrive against it.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the nuanced world of MTG infect strategies begins with insightful card choices like Plague Stinger. From early game threats to the joys of proliferate combos, this small creature can have a huge impact. Its versatility in deckbuilding and the persistent pressure it applies to opponents make it a candidate for any collection that aims to utilize poison counters. To outmaneuver the hurdles it faces, such as targeted removals or mana restrictions, arm yourself with knowledge and strategies by joining the BurnMana community. Engage with other enthusiasts and ensure your deck is not just surviving, but thriving.


Cards like Plague Stinger

Plague Stinger is a notorious card known for its infectious capability in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative is the card Whispering Specter. Both cards wield not only flying but also infect, a powerful ability that dishes out poison counters instead of regular damage. However, Plague Stinger sports a lesser mana cost and thus hits the battlefield earlier — a crucial advantage in fast-paced matches.

When comparing it to the Blighted Agent, which also has infect, the standout difference lies in the Blighted Agent’s unblockability rather than flying. This makes the Blighted Agent an ideal pick for ensuring consistent poison counter delivery despite the same mana cost. Then there’s Ichorclaw Myr, yet another infect warrior in this comparison, which has the potential to buff itself upon being blocked. It’s a significant tact to consider, as it could turn defensive moves by your opponent into a perilous situation for them.

Ultimately, Plague Stinger holds its venomous ground in the lineup of infect creatures within Magic: The Gathering. With its early game presence and evasion mechanic, it’s an aggressive contender that efficiently contributes to the infamous infect-based strategy.

Whispering Specter - MTG Card versions
Blighted Agent - MTG Card versions
Ichorclaw Myr - MTG Card versions
Whispering Specter - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Blighted Agent - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Ichorclaw Myr - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Plague Stinger by color, type and mana cost

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Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
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Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Plague Stinger MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and DCI Promos, 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 Plague Stinger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Plague Stinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2006-01-02 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 378672003normalblackTomasz Jedruszek
22006-01-02DCI PromosPDCI 592003normalblackTomasz Jedruszek
32010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 752003normalblackRyan Pancoast
42023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 962015normalblackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Plague Stinger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-01-01 A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01 If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn't get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn't get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01 Infect's effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01 The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They're not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.

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