Thought-Stalker Warlock is a Lizard synergy piece that also strips a card from the opponent's hand on entry, playing well into Dimir Excruciator's grindy, removal-heavy shell. Duress proactively takes away their Bitter Triumph, Requiting Hex, or Theorix Charm before they can be used on your threats. Flamecache Gecko's conditional mana ability is weak here since this deck leans on discard and countermagic rather than racing, and the extra Stinging Vitriol overlaps with the stronger Duress effect against a deck full of answers to find and strip.