Lightning Axe MTG Card


Lightning Axe offers card advantage and can disrupt opponent strategies by forcing a discard with graveyard synergy. Despite a high mana cost, its instant speed and flexibility can significantly alter the pace of the game. Demands strategic deck-building, considering the discard requirement and the red mana specificity of Lightning Axe.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

As an additional cost to play Lightning Axe, discard a card or pay . Lightning Axe deals 5 damage to target creature.

"A gargoyle's meat can be carved with an ordinary cleaver, but for its petrous hide . . ." —Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar, *The Underworld Cookbook*


Cards like Lightning Axe

Lightning Axe finds its niche within the realm of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, standing toe-to-toe with other impactful cards. Comparable in effect, we have the formidable Fiery Temper which allows for 3 damage to any target, but it is the madness cost that can sometimes make it a cheaper alternative. Unlike Lightning Axe’s additional cost of discarding a card or paying five mana, Fiery Temper can be a bargain if you’re discarding for value.

Next in the lineup is Skred, another instant that scales with the snow permanents you control. While not requiring a discard, its damage output is dependent on a specific deck build, making it less universally adaptable than Lightning Axe. Then there’s Galvanic Blast, hailing from the pool of cheap removals, capable of dealing 4 damage provided you have metalcraft—with no discard necessary but necessitating an artifact-centric strategy for full effect.

Considering all aspects, Lightning Axe thrives as a flexible choice for quick creature removal in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a card that can adjust to various strategies, ensuring its place in decks that benefit from both its immediate impact and the advantage of discarding as part of its cost.

Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Skred - MTG Card versions
Galvanic Blast - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Skred - MTG Card versions
Galvanic Blast - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lightning Axe by color, type and mana cost

False Orders - MTG Card versions
Chaoslace - MTG Card versions
Red Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Artifact Blast - MTG Card versions
Active Volcano - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Panic - MTG Card versions
Vertigo - MTG Card versions
Hearth Charm - MTG Card versions
Pyroblast - MTG Card versions
Shower of Sparks - MTG Card versions
Heat Ray - MTG Card versions
Overload - MTG Card versions
March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions
Burst Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fever Charm - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Bolt - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Speed - MTG Card versions
False Orders - MTG Card versions
Chaoslace - MTG Card versions
Red Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Artifact Blast - MTG Card versions
Active Volcano - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Panic - MTG Card versions
Vertigo - MTG Card versions
Hearth Charm - MTG Card versions
Pyroblast - MTG Card versions
Shower of Sparks - MTG Card versions
Heat Ray - MTG Card versions
Overload - MTG Card versions
March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions
Burst Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fever Charm - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Bolt - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Speed - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Lightning Axe. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet PhoenixIzzet Phoenix PioneerIzzet PhoenixPioneer League 2024-05-05
Temur PhoenixTemur Phoenix PioneerIzzet PhoenixPioneer Preliminary 2024-05-07 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lightning Axe provides a significant edge in gameplay by allowing you to trade one card for a potential threat on the opponent’s side. This exchange can disrupt their strategy while maintaining your card flow, especially if you discard a card with a graveyard benefit.

Resource Acceleration: Though Lightning Axe costs five mana or one plus a discarded card, it offers resource acceleration by removing larger threats early in the game. This effect can be particularly useful in optimizing your mana and keeping the board in check.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Lightning Axe at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves. This adaptability can be the difference between victory and defeat, making it a valuable addition to decks that need to respond quickly to evolving threats.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Incurring the additional cost of discarding another card can be a significant downside for the Lightning Axe, especially if you’re short on hand options or crucial synergistic pieces in your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Axe demands a red mana, which can restrict deck-building flexibility and potentially exclude it from multi-colored decks that don’t have easy access to red mana sources or prioritize other colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Lightning Axe provides a substantial five damage to a creature, the total cost which can include a card discard or paying five mana is on the higher side when compared to other removal spells in the format, which might offer similar effects at a lower cost or additional versatility.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lightning Axe is a flexible addition to decks that require efficient removal options. Its capability to deal 5 damage to a creature for a single red mana makes it applicable in various game situations, from early threats to larger menaces.

Combo Potential: As a card with an additional cost of discarding a card or paying extra mana, Lightning Axe offers synergy with graveyard strategies or madness mechanics, enabling players to set up powerful combos and interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with creature-based decks, the instant-speed execution of Lightning Axe can drastically shift the tide of battle in your favor, proving its worth across different metagames. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a robust answer to creature threats that dominate competitive scenes.


How to beat

Lightning Axe is a potent card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to deal a significant 5 damage to a target creature for the mere cost of one mana. What makes this card especially challenging to overcome is its instant speed, allowing it to disrupt strategies and eliminate key creatures unexpectedly. Unlike other removal spells that can be costly mana-wise, Lightning Axe’s additional cost is discarding a card, which can be turned into an advantage with the right graveyard strategies.

One way to counter Lightning Axe is by leveraging cards that are indestructible or have protection from red spells. Ensuring your creatures have a toughness above 5 can also be a deterrent, or using spells that give your creatures temporary buffs to survive the hit. Instant speed hexproof or shroud granting spells, such as Dive Down or Blossoming Defense, can also be employed to prevent Lightning Axe from connecting with its intended target. Additionally, being mindful of open red mana and potentially sacrificial sideboard cards can change the tide of the match by minimizing the impact of such a destructive spell.

Understanding the mechanics of Lightning Axe and anticipating its use will give you the upper hand in shielding your creatures from its thunderous strike and maintaining dominance on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves more than just knowing the cards; it’s about strategic gameplay and dynamic deck building. Lightning Axe is a powerful tool, offering both significant removal and combo potential with its discard requirement. As MTG evolves, keeping your deck updated with versatile cards like Lightning Axe ensures you’re prepared for any creature-heavy meta that comes your way. Are you ready to refine your deck and gain the upper hand in your next game? Learn more about tactical plays and card synergy to advance your MTG skills with us. Elevate your game today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lightning Axe MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Lightning Axe and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lightning Axe Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 1682003NormalBlackDan Scott
22016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 1702015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3412015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 1352015NormalBlackDan Scott
52020-09-26The ListPLST TSP-1682003NormalBlackDan Scott
62021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1742015NormalBlackDan Scott
72022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5692015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
82023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1662015NormalBlackJason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Axe has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-03-19 The mana value of Lightning Axe is 1, no matter which additional cost you paid.