Stigma Lasher MTG Card


Stigma Lasher stifles lifegain decks, adding strategic depth to matches and enhancing red deck versatility. Combos with damage amplifiers or multiple attack enablers maximize Stigma Lasher’s game-altering ability. Early removal or counterspells are key to mitigating Stigma Lasher’s long-term impact in games.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental Shaman
Abilities Wither
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) Whenever Stigma Lasher deals damage to a player, that player can't gain life for the rest of the game.

The Extinguisher's curse lasted long after her departure.


Cards like Stigma Lasher

Stigma Lasher represents a distinct entry in the pool of aggressive creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship is closest to creatures like Eidolon of the Great Revel, which also applies pressure on spellcasting by dealing damage to the player. However, Stigma Lasher delivers a unique punch with its ability to permanently negate an opponent’s life gain when it deals damage, altering the course of a match significantly.

Similarly, Harsh Mentor is a card that discourages opponents from activating abilities of artifacts, creatures, and lands, inflicting pain for engaging with the board. It shares the same mana value with Stigma Lasher, nonetheless, it lacks the lasting impact on life recovery. Then we encounter Ash Zealot, another comparable card that punishes graveyard-based strategies and comes with haste, granting immediate battlefield presence but differs in its reactive nature to past plays rather than future life gain.

In analyzing the specific abilities and potential for lasting board impact, Stigma Lasher stands out among aggressive red creatures, possessing a distinctive ability to shape the strategies of both players in any game.

Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Ash Zealot - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Ash Zealot - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stigma Lasher by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage:

Stigma Lasher may not directly provide card draw, but its enduring effect has the potential to give you an advantage. By dealing damage to an opponent and ensuring they can’t gain life for the rest of the game, Stigma Lasher can effectively neutralize strategies reliant on lifegain, undermining an opponent’s long-term plan and potentially reducing the value of their cards played later.

Resource Acceleration:

While Stigma Lasher itself does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing additional mana, it can contribute to a version of resource acceleration by allowing you to maintain pressure on the opponent. This creature fits well in aggressive strategies that aim to reduce the opponent’s life total quickly, which can be seen as accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed:

Stigma Lasher’s ability to permanently prevent life gain activates when it deals damage to an opponent. Although not an instant, pairing it with instant-speed spells or abilities that enable it to deal damage outside of the combat phase can surprise an opponent, potentially disrupting their plans at a critical moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stigma Lasher’s ability to render opponents unable to gain life can be pivotal, yet it mandates securing an attack to embed its effect. If your opponent has a robust defense or you’re hindered by summoning sickness, leveraging this ability is no small feat, leaving you with a potential stalemate on board.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing one generic and one red mana, Stigma Lasher is tethered to red-centric or compatible two-color decks. Players vying for a multicolored or less red-dedicated strategy might find it arduous to consistently meet the mana demands, ultimately inhibiting its inclusion in various builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the fast-paced environment where tempo dictates victory, the two mana cost for a creature with 2/2 might be seen as steep for its immediate impact. In the realm where early-game momentum is king, there lie other creatures and spells that can present more immediate threats or value for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Stigma Lasher in Your Collection

Versatility: Stigma Lasher’s ability to permanently hinder an opponent’s life gain can be a game-changer in many matchups. Plus, this creature slips easily into aggressive red decks, adding a punch and a strategic angle against life-gain strategies.

Combo Potential: Paired with damage doublers or cards that grant multiple attack phases, Stigma Lasher can ensure its ability triggers, shaping the entire duel to your advantage. It’s not just a creature; it’s a potential keystone in a deck built to suppress healing.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where life gain decks are prevalent, having Stigma Lasher ready means you’re equipped to contest such strategies effectively. Its presence in your collection offers tactical flexibility against a common archetype, keeping you one step ahead in the game.


How to beat

Stigma Lasher is a fierce contender in the red deck lineup, with its ability to prevent an opponent from gaining life for the rest of the game. This can be a game changer, especially when played early. To overcome this card, one effective strategy is to eliminate it as soon as it hits the battlefield. Spot removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can swiftly take care of Stigma Lasher before its ability becomes a thorn in your side.

In addition, countering it upon casting is a solid plan. Use counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak to negate its summoning altogether, bypassing its worrying ability. Playing creatures with higher toughness also provides a barrier Stigma Lasher must burn through, buying you crucial time to stabilize your board and mount a comeback. Lastly, since Stigma Lasher’s ability is triggered upon dealing damage, effects like Ghostly Prison that prevent or discourage attacks can be valuable tools to deny its effect.

By being proactive and keeping these strategies in your arsenal, you can nullify the impact of Stigma Lasher and continue your pursuit of victory unimpeded by its debilitating ability.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into MTG with Stigma Lasher, a card that promises to alter the dynamics of your matches. Its unique ability to stifle life gain can turn the tide against decks that thrive on that strategy, providing an edge where it counts. Whether you’re a seasoned MTG veteran or a newcomer looking to shake things up, this card is a valuable addition to any red deck. Why not add this strategic piece to your arsenal and watch as your opponents grapple with a new challenge? Unlock full potential of your red deck by embracing Stigma Lasher and resist life gain strategies with cunning and power. Learn more about optimizing your deck and refine your gameplay strategies with our insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stigma Lasher MTG card by a specific set like Eventide and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Stigma Lasher and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Stigma Lasher Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Aleksi Briclot.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-07-25EventideEVE 622003NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
22020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 592003NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
32020-09-26The ListPLST EVE-622003NormalBlackAleksi Briclot

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stigma Lasher has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-08-01 If a player has been dealt damage by Stigma Lasher, the following things are true: — Spells and abilities that would normally cause that player to gain life still resolve, but the life-gain part simply has no effect. — If a cost includes having that player gain life (like Invigorate’s alternative cost does), that cost can’t be paid. — Effects that would replace having that player gain life with some other effect won’t be able to do anything because it’s impossible for that player to gain life. — Effects that replace an event with having that player gain life (like Words of Worship’s effect does) will end up replacing the event with nothing. — If an effect says to set that player’s life total to a certain number, and that number is higher than the player’s current life total, that part of the effect won’t do anything. (If the number is lower than that player’s current life total, the effect will work as normal.)
2008-08-01 Once the last ability resolves, it will be in effect for the rest of the game. It doesn’t matter if Stigma Lasher remains on the battlefield or not.