Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious MTG Card


Grants card advantage by forcing discards, transforming to intensify the game’s pressure when your opponent’s hand is empty. Flipped side accelerates board presence through rat token generation, keyed to opponent’s discards during your turn. Can activate at instant speed, offering strategic play opportunities to disrupt opponents’ plans effectively.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Rat Shaman
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, that player loses 1 life for each card fewer than three in his or her hand.


Cards like Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious

Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious presents an intriguing dynamic in the realm of transformative cards in MTG. Its closest counterpart may be Liliana, Defiant Necromancer, which similarly transforms, but starts as a planeswalker in its original form, Liliana, Heretical Healer. Both cards share the theme of forcing discard, but their domain of influence diverges significantly beyond this point.

Another analogue is Hypnotic Specter, an enduring classic that, like Stabwhisker, revolves around the principle of making an opponent discard. However, Hypnotic Specter lacks the transformative aspect and operates through dealing combat damage. Conversely, Stabwhisker wields a repeatable activated ability to cause discards, and, upon transformation, flips into a torturous source of damage for each card the opponent has fewer than three in hand. Lastly, we come across Cunning Lethemancer, which brings about universal discard at the upkeep. While not a flip card, it shares the relentless discard pressure that Nezumi Shortfang introduces before evolving into Stabwhisker the Odious.

What sets Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious apart in MTG is its unique two-sided nature, providing players with a character that evolves mid-game, catering to strategies centered around hand disruption and opponent attrition.

Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Cunning Lethemancer - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Cunning Lethemancer - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious offers a unique form of card advantage by forcing your opponent to discard cards, indirectly boosting your own position in the game. If your opponent has no cards left, it transforms to apply even more pressure.

Resource Acceleration: On its flipped side, Stabwhisker the Odious becomes a formidable tool by not only shrinking an opponent’s hand but also churning out Rats for each card they’ve discarded during your turn, effectively accelerating your board presence.

Instant Speed: While the card itself is not an instant, it can be activated at instant speed. This means you can end your turn without playing any spells, keep your mana untapped to bluff, and then, if the coast is clear, force the discard — a strategic play that can disrupt your opponent’s plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nezumi Shortfang asks that an opponent discards a card for its ability to be activated. This can be less impactful when facing an opponent who has already emptied their hand, reducing the effectiveness of the ability.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires black mana to cast and activate its ability, which could be restrictive for multicolored decks that may not always have black mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To transform Nezumi Shortfang into Stabwhisker the Odious, you will need to invest some mana over turns. Other cards could be played more immediately for direct impact, whereas here a sustained resource investment is necessary to reap the benefits.


Reasons to Include Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious in Your Collection

Versatility: Nezumi Shortfang possesses utility in multiple deck archetypes due to its ability to disrupt opponents by forcing discards. Once transformed into Stabwhisker the Odious, it applies further pressure on the opponent’s hand while providing a clear path to victory.

Combo Potential: In combination-focused decks, this card synergizes well with strategies that punish the opponent for having fewer cards in hand. This can be particularly devastating when combined with effects that restrict the opponent’s ability to draw more cards.

Meta-Relevance: Against control decks that hold onto many cards, Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious can be an effective tool to strip their resources. As the game state often fluctuates, a card with the adaptability to be relevant in various meta environments enhances its longevity in your collection.


How to beat

Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious represents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to disrupt your opponent’s hand while presenting a threat that transforms into a powerful creature. Winning against this card often revolves around minimizing its impact before it flips into Stabwhisker the Odious. Utilize quick removal spells to dispatch the rat before its controller can capitalize on a depleted hand. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push can prove invaluable in this situation.

Equally critical is maintaining a healthy hand size to cushion the effect of Nezumi Shortfang’s ability that whittles away at your resources. Card draw engines or spells that allow you to draw multiple cards can replenish your hand swiftly, ensuring that Nezumi’s effect never leaves you at a critical disadvantage. Finally, being cautious about when to play your cards can help mitigate the risk of being forced to discard valuable pieces at an inopportune time. Balance and timing are key – a carefully navigated game can render Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious a null threat.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and The List, 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 Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2004-10-01. Illustrated by Daren Bader.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 1312003FlipBlackDaren Bader
22020-09-26The ListPLST CHK-1312003FlipBlackDaren Bader

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nezumi Shortfang // Stabwhisker the Odious has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal