Stinging Scorpion MTG Card
Text of card
When this creature enters the battlefield, target creature an opponent controls gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Cards like Stinging Scorpion
Stinging Scorpion holds a distinct niche in the realm of deathtouch creatures within Magic: The Gathering. At first glance, one might compare it to Typhoid Rats, a staple one-drop that intimidates opponents with its lethal deathtouch ability. Stinging Scorpion not only shares this trait but also comes with a modest mana cost, making it an accessible threat on the board.
Exploring further, another comparable card is Sedge Scorpion. Both creatures have a low mana cost and deathtouch, yet Stinging Scorpion stands out with its potential to chip away opponent’s life totals thanks to its triggered effect. On the flip side, Pharika’s Chosen also enters the conversation as a formidable one-drop deathtouch creature. It lacks the direct life total impact of Stinging Scorpion but is equally capable of deterring attackers.
Each of these cards provides strategic value, dependent on your deck’s overarching strategy. While they all enable control over the board by threatening to destroy any attacker, Stinging Scorpion uniquely nudges the game in your favor by dealing damage directly, which can be a pivotal factor in many match ups.
Cards similar to Stinging Scorpion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stinging Scorpion offers a potential swing in board presence with its ability to remove an opponent’s creature upon death. This can lead to a valuable two-for-one situation, diminishing an opponent’s resources while you maintain your own card count.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana, eliminating a blocker or an attacker can effectively keep your resources safe and maintain the momentum in your favor, indirectly speeding up your game plan.
Instant Speed: The menace of Stinging Scorpion triggers when it dies, allowing you to navigate combat with the upper hand. You can block an unexpected assault, trade it with a vital enemy creature, and benefit from its death-triggered ability all at once, making it a flexible tool at any stage of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing the Stinging Scorpion necessitates that a player discard another card from their hand, which can deplete valuable resources and potentially disrupt game plans, especially if you’re holding onto key spells for later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for this card requires specific mana types that might not always be readily available depending on the deck’s mana base. This limitation can impede the card’s playability in a multi-colored deck or those that don’t focus on the required mana colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its abilities, Stinging Scorpion might come off as having a steep mana cost. In some scenarios, players might prefer to cast creatures or spells that offer more impact on the game board or provide additional benefits for the same, or lower, cost.
Reasons to Include Stinging Scorpion in Your Collection
Versatility: Stinging Scorpion offers flexibility to fit seamlessly into various deck types, particularly those that capitalize on creature death triggers or need a reliable blocker in the early game.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to deal damage when it dies can be combined with cards that care about death triggers or damage-dealing effects, furthering your strategic options during gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Stinging Scorpion serves as an efficient tool for deterring attackers and maintaining board presence while setting up your defenses.
How to beat
Stinging Scorpion poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, presenting players with an opportunistic creature that carries a potent death-trigger ability. Its main threat lies in its capacity to leave a sting, dealing damage to target creature an opponent controls upon its demise. It’s a tactical issue, potentially affecting the board state with its departure.
To circumvent this prickly problem, savvy players can turn to creature exile effects like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares to forego the Scorpion’s triggered ability by removing it from play entirely. Counterspells are also effective in preventing the Scorpion from hitting the table in the first place. Another strategy includes steering clear of aggressive blocking or attacking into it, which could trigger its ability, instead waiting to deal with it when the timing and resources align to mitigate its impact. Utilizing these approaches will ensure the sting of the Scorpion is felt by the opponent, rather than your own forces.
Through targeted removal or strategic patience, the threat of Stinging Scorpion can be managed, preserving your board and maintaining a strong position in the game. Recognizing and responding to such nuisances swiftly and efficiently is key to victory in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stinging Scorpion MTG card by a specific set like Unstable and Unsanctioned, 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 Stinging Scorpion 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 Stinging Scorpion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-12-08 and 2020-02-29. Illustrated by YW Tang.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-12-08 | Unstable | UST | 72 | 2015 | Host | Silver | YW Tang | |
| 2 | 2020-02-29 | Unsanctioned | UND | 46 | 2015 | Host | Silver | YW Tang |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stinging Scorpion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Host creatures each have an ability that triggers when it enters the battlefield. It functions like any other creature. |