Stinging Shot MTG Card

Stinging Shot offers card draw with cycling, aiding deck flow and resource access. Its instant speed allows reactive plays against flying threats on opponent’s turns. While mana and card type specific, it’s potentially restrictive in deck-building.

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 189

Stinging Shot - Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 221

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Cycling

Text of card

Put three -1/-1 counters on target creature with flying. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Initiates must train to resist the natural toxins they use as weapons.

Understanding Stinging Shot

Deep in the strategic universe of MTG, Stinging Shot emerges as an effective utility spell particularly in matchups involving creatures with flying. A green instant, Stinging Shot allows players to put three -1/-1 counters on a target creature with flying for a single forest mana. Moreover, it comes with cycling for two mana, enabling it to be fluid in a player’s hand and game plan.

Cards like Stinging Shot

In looking at Stinging Shot within the spectrum of MTG spells, its functional relatives add perspective to its utility. Consider Plummet, another straightforward card that destroys a target creature with flying at instant speed. Plummet is straightforward destruction, while Stinging Shot offers more nuance with its counters that can potentially affect multiple targets through proliferate mechanics or be cycled away if irrelevant.

Another comparison can be drawn with Clip Wings, an instant that has each player sacrifice a creature with flying. Though not a direct damage dealer, it can circumvent indestructible abilities that Stinging Shot cannot. However, Stinging Shot has the edge in targeting and control, as it doesn’t require your opponents to choose which creature to sacrifice — a notable advantage in precision-based plays.

Stinging Shot, with its versatile utility, holds its ground among other anti-flying spells in the MTG realm. Its ability to adapt to the flow of the game through cycling adds a dimension that card evaluators and players value in their arsenal.

Cards similar to Stinging Shot by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stinging Shot provides an opportunity to gain card advantage by drawing a card when cycling, which can be critical for cycling decks or to find needed answers.

Resource Acceleration: Although Stinging Shot does not directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, its low-cost and cycling ability can help cycle through your deck more quickly to reach essential resources or threats.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Stinging Shot can be a surprise element, providing the flexibility to deal with flying threats on your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana open for other interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Seldom does Stinging Shot ask you to discard, but in such cases, it could disrupt your hand and strategy, especially if your resources are dwindling down.

Specific Mana Cost: Stinging Shot requires a specific green mana to cast. This can be restrictive as it dictates the presence of green mana sources in your deck, possibly limiting its inclusion to green-centric or multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a need for one green mana, Stinging Shot’s cost isn’t necessarily prohibitive, but when it comes to removal spells, players might opt for more versatile or cost-efficient options to deal with flying creatures or ones of greater threat levels.

Reasons to Include Stinging Shot in Your Collection

Versatility: Stinging Shot can serve multiple purposes, easily sliding into green decks that need an answer to flying threats. Its low mana cost and cycling ability allow for flexibility in gameplay, making it easy to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield or simply draw a new card when it’s not needed.

Combo Potential: Stinging Shot’s ability to put -1/-1 counters on creatures can be particularly useful in decks that exploit counters for beneficial effects. Combine it with proliferate mechanics or cards like “Nest of Scarabs” to turn a simple removal spell into a source of insects or additional value.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures dominate, Stinging Shot provides a cost-effective tool to control the skies. Additionally, with cycling, it’s never a dead draw, ensuring that it stays relevant even when the meta shifts away from flying-centered decks.

How to beat

Understanding the intricacies of combatting specific cards is pivotal in Magic: The Gathering. When it comes to handling Stinging Shot, players should recognize the situational effectiveness of this green instant. Primarily, Stinging Shot is utilized for its ability to distribute -1/-1 counters on a flying creature, which can be a game-changer in aerial combat scenarios.

To effectively circumvent the disruption caused by Stinging Shot, players should consider incorporating hexproof flying creatures in their deck, rendering the spell useless against such protected creatures. Alternatively, leveraging instant-speed buff spells can counteract the -1/-1 effect, preserving your creature’s dominance in the skies. Planning ahead for removal spells that target enchantments or other buffs can also be a strategic safeguard against this potentially troubling card.

Remember, a smart player will always evaluate the threats presented by the opponent’s mana availability and the potential spells in hand. By anticipating the use of Stinging Shot, players can hold back on playing their key flying creatures or prepare to protect them, maintaining a robust line of defense and offense throughout the match.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stinging Shot 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 Stinging Shot and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Stinging Shot Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Scott Murphy.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH		189	2015	Normal	Black	Scott Murphy
2	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR		221	2015	Normal	Black	Scott Murphy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stinging Shot 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
Timeless	Legal