Arcbound Stinger MTG Card


Modular ability lets Arcbound Stinger boost other creatures, maintaining board presence upon its demise. Affordable to cast, this card accelerates strategies and fits in a variety of decks with its generic mana cost. Though it competes with potentially more impactful cards, its flying trait offers strategic defensive capabilities.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Insect
Abilities Flying,Modular
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Flying Modular 1 (This comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it. When it's put into a graveyard, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)


Cards like Arcbound Stinger

The Arcbound Stinger has carved its niche in Magic: The Gathering with a synergy balance that many artifact creatures aspire to. Its likeness can be seen in other modulating creatures such as Ornithopter, which shares the flying trait without the modular ability. While the Ornithopter may have a zero cost and can take to the skies swiftly, it lacks the potential growth offered by Arcbound Stinger’s modular mechanic, where it can transfer its +1/+1 counters to enhance others.

Another card to consider is Sparring Construct, it offers a one-time +1/+1 counter transfer upon death, which can be a boon at critical moments. However, just like Ornithopter, it lacks the recurring modular impact of Arcbound Stinger. On the other hand, we have Arcbound Worker, which boasts a similar modular ability and cost but starts with a stronger baseline of 1 power unlike the Stinger’s 0.

All-in-all, the Arcbound Stinger brings value to the table with its potential for strategic growth and aerial advantage, making it a formidable choice for enthusiasts honing their artifact-focused decks.

Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Sparring Construct - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Worker - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Sparring Construct - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Worker - MTG Card versions

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

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Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With its modular ability, Arcbound Stinger can transfer its +1/+1 counters when it dies, effectively making your remaining creatures stronger and maintaining an advantage on the board.

Resource Acceleration: As it requires only two mana to cast, this card can be deployed early in the game, accelerating your offensive strategy without significant resource investment.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Arcbound Stinger’s flying trait allows it to be a versatile blocker during your opponent’s turn, a quality often found in instant-speed interactions and combat tricks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Arcbound Stinger doesn’t directly require discarding a card, it becomes part of a larger modular strategy which might necessitate discarding for synergy, potentially leading to a depleted hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Arcbound Stinger’s cost is entirely in generic mana, which makes it flexible across decks but can also compete with color-specific cards that might be more efficient for the same cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only two mana, the one power and toughness it offers can be underwhelming on the battlefield, especially given that other low-cost artifact creatures could provide greater immediate impact or utility.


Reasons to Include Arcbound Stinger in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcbound Stinger’s modular keyword means it can adapt to various situations on the battlefield. Transfer its +1/+1 counters when it dies, making it a flexible addition to artifact and counter-themed decks.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with other artifact creatures allows for powerful combinations. Its ability to modularly move counters can enhance strategies focused on proliferating or sacrificing artifacts for greater value.

Meta-Relevance: With artifact decks seeing play across various formats, Arcbound Stinger can be a low-cost enabler in decks that capitalize on artifact synergy and resilience against removal-heavy environments.


How to beat

Arcbound Stinger may not be at the forefront of powerful artifacts, but it has its own niche within the affinity decks of Magic: The Gathering. Its flying ability gives it an edge, allowing it to evade many ground-based blockers. However, the key to overcoming this modular creature lies in direct removal or evasion disruption. Consider using cards like Naturalize or Shatter, as they can target artifacts directly, neutralizing the stinger’s presence on the battlefield efficiently.

Alternatively, you can counter the modular aspect of Arcbound Stinger by using cards that prevent counters from being placed or moved, such as Solemnity or Melira, Sylvok Outcast. Creature control with flying-specific or artifact-specific abilities, for instance, Plummet or Revoke Existence, can also function well against it. By incorporating these strategies and cards that directly address the threat of affinity artifacts, players can effectively manage and beat Arcbound Stinger in their games.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcbound Stinger MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and Modern Masters, 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 Arcbound Stinger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Arcbound Stinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2013-06-07. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-02-06DarksteelDST 1032003NormalBlackDarrell Riche
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1992003NormalBlackDarrell Riche

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arcbound Stinger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2006-09-25 If this creature gets enough -1/-1 counters put on it to cause its toughness to be 0 or less (or the damage marked on it to be lethal), modular will put a number of +1/+1 counters on the target artifact creature equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on this creature before it left the battlefield.