Kraul Stinger MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Insect Assassin
Abilities	Deathtouch
Released	2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	War of the Spark
Set code	WAR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	165
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Vargas

Key Takeaways

Kraul Stinger’s deathtouch offers one-for-one trades, boosting your battlefield parity and presence.
Its synergies with instants and creature-based abilities make for a versatile deck component.
While efficient, it has constraints like mana specificity and no innate card advantage.

Text of card

Deathtouch

He listens to the sounds of battle filtering down from above, waiting for silence, waiting for his time to claim the streets.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kraul Stinger shines in decks crafted to exploit the potential of Deathtouch. It has the ability to trade with creatures of any size, potentially providing critical one-for-one trades that can maintain parity on the battlefield or even tip the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to traditional ramp, Kraul Stinger synergizes effectively with strategies that leverage creature presence. Whether that’s through convoke mechanics to cast spells or using it as a catalyst for creature-based abilities that require tapping, it’s an asset that can indirectly contribute to accelerating your resources.

Instant Speed: This beneficial aspect of Kraul Stinger isn’t inherent to the card itself; rather, it’s how well it pairs with instant-speed tricks and abilities in a MTG match. Incorporating it in decks with instant-speed spells can maximize its impact. Being able to activate abilities or play spells at instant speed while threatening a Deathtouch block can be an imposing tactic during gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The playability of Kraul Stinger can be restrictive, as it does not offer an ability or effect that allows card advantage on its own. Without additional card support to replenish your hand, Kraul Stinger could contribute to a decrease in your available resources during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: With Kraul Stinger requiring both green mana and generic mana, it’s not as accommodating in multicolored decks that may have a tighter mana base. This aspect makes it less versatile when you’re looking to optimize your mana usage across various card colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, Kraul Stinger may be considered costly for the stats and deathtouch feature it provides. In competitive play, there are creatures at similar or lower costs that may offer more impactful abilities or a more significant presence on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Kraul Stinger in Your Collection

Versatility: The Kraul Stinger is a solid inclusion in many green decks, as it brings more than just a body on the board. Its deathtouch ability allows it to take down much larger creatures, making it a great defensive addition as well as an offensive threat against control-oriented players.

Combo Potential: Kraul Stinger shines in strategies that exploit the deathtouch mechanic. With cards that enable multiple blocks or use creatures as damage dealers, such as equipment or auras, Kraul Stinger can become a cornerstone of an intricate combo that controls the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given its modest mana cost and significant impact on board state, Kraul Stinger is a card that can adapt well to shifts in the meta. In an environment where larger creatures dominate, it serves as an excellent equalizer, making it a smart choice for players looking to maintain competitive viability without extensive investment.

How to beat Kraul Stinger

Kraul Stinger is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for its deathtouch ability which allows it to destroy any creature it deals damage to, no matter the creature’s toughness. This can make it a formidable defender, deterring attacks from even the most powerful of adversaries.

Overcoming this pesky insect requires a strategic approach. Board control cards can neutralize the threat without engaging in combat, bypassing deathtouch altogether. By utilizing spells that force sacrifices or deal direct damage, players can effectively clear Kraul Stinger off the board without putting their own creatures at risk. Moreover, evasion tactics such as flying or unblockable creatures provide alternative attack routes, circumventing the Stinger’s defensive prowess.

Additionally, since Kraul Stinger boasts moderate toughness, it remains vulnerable to popular removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. Efficient removal like Lightning Bolt can dispatch the Stinger before it becomes an issue, preserving your creatures for more significant battles. In essence, by keeping these removal spells handy and strategizing beyond brute force, one can easily navigate around the dangers of Kraul Stinger and maintain control over the game.

Cards like Kraul Stinger

Kraul Stinger is a unique combat piece in the world of Magic: The Gathering, much like its insect brethren, the Moss Viper. Both creatures are low-cost with deadly deathtouch abilities, allowing them to take down any size of threat. Kraul Stinger, however, has the added benefit of being marginally sturdier with its additional point of toughness, which might just be enough to keep it around for one extra turn or block an additional creature.

If we glance at another comparable creature, Vampire Nighthawk, the comparison becomes more nuanced. While Nighthawk boasts flying and lifelink in addition to deathtouch and is an all-around powerhouse, its higher mana cost requires a more substantial investment. This contrasts with the streamlined ease and early board presence offered by Kraul Stinger. Lastly, considering Thornweald Archer, one could point out that it still adds reach to the basic deathtouch package, providing utility against flying threats.

Evaluating these creatures side by side, Kraul Stinger competes admirably, combining affordability with the deadly deathtouch mechanic to be a stealthy and valuable asset in your creature lineup.

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

Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions

Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions

Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kraul Stinger MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Kraul Stinger and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kraul Stinger 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 Kraul Stinger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.