A must have for monored burn
decks.An aggressively costed body and an
ability that completely and finally answers burn
decks' biggest nemesis: life gain.Oh, what's that?Loxodon Warhammer?Good luck with that.
Constructed- 4
Casual- 4
Limited- 2.5
Aethereal
Friday - Stigma Lasher
What a great card for red decks. Besides having
wither, it prevents your opponent from ever
gaining life again if it hits, which is good, as
RDW type decks are engineered to deal 20-22
damage quickly, and not more. Wither means he
won't be a rather slow (for red) vanilla 2/2 for
2 after he lands his important ability. If
you're playing RDW, this should probably be in
your deck.
In limited, not as useful, as life gain is not
important here. I'd side him and bring him in if
you see a big guy with lifelink or something.
Constructed - 3.5
Casual - 5 (when used against annoying lifegain
decks, but after that probably a 2)
Limited - 2.5
David Fanany
Player since
1995
Stigma Lasher
A general principle of aggressive decks is that
a disruptive ability is usually better on a
creature who can advance your objective of
reducing the other guy's life total than on any
other kind of permanent, hence the popularity
(for those types of decks) of True Believer and
Dark Confidant over Ivory Mask and Phyrexian
Arena. If Stigma Lasher had a static ability
like Sulfuric Vortex, single copies would be
selling for $10. As printed, the opponent has a
chance to get rid of him before he destroys
them, so I rate him as merely solid rather than
game-breaking. This is a card you always want to
see if you expect to face Kitchen Finks and
Primal Command, and he finally gives red a
density of threats like it hasn't had for years.
Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 3/5
Miguel
Friday 8-29
Stigma Lasher
Constructed:
This little dude is awesome against life gain
decks. If you can get one hit in than you are
set. Red decks always had a problem with the
life gain. If life gain is not in your
opponent's deck than he is just a 2/2 for 2 that
has wither, which is still pretty good.
Casual:
Another elemental to add to the elemental
population. Stopping some form gaining life can
be fun.
Limited:
For a red deck or red with a splash of other
color(s) this card is okay. There is not alot of
life gain in Eventide or Shadowmoor Limited, but
there are some sliver bullet life gain cards
that you have to deal with and this little guy
will shut them down if he hits.
Overall a cool card that is cheap but easily
removed.
