Shadow StingerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Deadly Precision and Mind Grind

Shadow Stinger possesses two distinct abilities. The first is an activated ability that costs no mana; by tapping another untapped Rogue you control, Shadow Stinger gains deathtouch until the end of the turn. The second is a triggered ability that forces an opponent to mill three cards whenever Shadow Stinger deals combat damage to them. This combination makes it a dangerous attacker that most opponents will be hesitant to block.

Activating the Ability Step-by-Step

First, you must have priority to activate the ability, typically during your declare attackers step after Shadow Stinger has been declared as an attacker. Second, you choose an untapped Rogue you control other than Shadow Stinger to tap as the cost. Note that you can tap a Rogue even if it has 'summoning sickness,' as the tap symbol {T} is not used in this cost. Finally, the ability resolves, and Shadow Stinger gains deathtouch, meaning any amount of damage it deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.

Common Misconceptions

A frequent mistake is thinking Shadow Stinger needs to deal combat damage to a player to gain deathtouch; however, the deathtouch ability is activated independently and is usually used to deter blockers. Additionally, remember that the mill trigger only occurs if the damage is dealt to a player. If Shadow Stinger is blocked and kills the blocker via deathtouch, no cards will be milled from the opponent's library unless Shadow Stinger also has trample and deals excess damage to the player.

When to Strike

Shadow Stinger is most effective when you have a board presence of other Rogues that aren't intending to attack, such as those with utility roles or those recently played. It is best used when your opponent has high-toughness blockers that they cannot afford to lose, or when you are playing a dedicated mill strategy that benefits from the triggered ability.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Dread

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Rogue' chosen as the creature type, Shadow Stinger's triggered ability will trigger an additional time. When Shadow Stinger deals combat damage to a player, the opponent will mill three cards, and then mill another three cards, for a total of six cards moved to the graveyard.

Defensive Utility

Solemn Simulacrum

While Shadow Stinger needs another Rogue to gain deathtouch, it can interact with non-Rogue creatures like Solemn Simulacrum in combat. If Shadow Stinger has gained deathtouch and is blocked by Solemn Simulacrum, the Simulacrum will be destroyed. This allows the Simulacrum's controller to draw a card, while you have successfully removed a blocker using Shadow Stinger's activated ability.