Lightning Dragon MTG Card


Lightning Dragon excels in adaptability, fitting well into aggressive or control-oriented red MTG decks. It can function as a strategic linchpin, synergizing with powerful flyers and dishing out combat damage. Knowledge of its vulnerabilities helps in devising effective MTG strategies against this imposing flyer.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Echo,Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying; echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.) oo R Lightning Dragon gets +1/+0 until end of turn.


Cards like Lightning Dragon

In the adrenaline-charged world of Magic: The Gathering, the Lightning Dragon card has its own embers of distinction among its draconic kin. This flying powerhouse echoes the fervor found in cards like Thundermaw Hellkite, another high-flying terror. Both dragons are nuanced by their capacity to swing in for substantial damage, while Thundermaw Hellkite brings the added utility of tapping potential blockers upon entry.

Stormbreath Dragon, shifting the comparison skyward, holds its ground with a similar mana cost and protective prowess against white spells. Moreover, it escalates in threat level with its monstrous ability. While not as straightforward as the Lightning Dragon’s firebreathing agility for damage increase, Stormbreath offers a more defensive foil in the dragon showdown.

Assessing the calibre of different but similar cards, Lightning Dragon flares up as a contender in Magic: The Gathering’s array of formidable flying creatures. Its balance of aggressive attack potential and the strategic depth through firebreathing ensures that it remains a threat that can adapt dynamically to the ebb and flow of the combat phase.

Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Stormbreath Dragon - MTG Card versions

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

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Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lightning Dragon enables strategic hand optimization by its ability to cycle, trading itself for a fresh card from your library when you need more options or specific answers.

Resource Acceleration: With its mana cost tied predominantly to red mana, Lightning Dragon fits smoothly into red-centric decks that benefit from resource acceleration, such as those running rituals or artifacts that produce additional red mana.

Instant Speed: Lightning Dragon’s Evoke cost can be paid at instant speed, offering a surprise blocker or an unexpected end-of-turn play that can keep opponents on their toes and give you the edge in the tempo of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Casting a Lightning Dragon often comes with the steep price of discarding a card. This potentially sets you back by forcing a choice between the dragon’s might and the valuable cards in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning this creature demands a precise mana arrangement, specifically red mana sources. This can pigeonhole the card into certain deck archetypes, limiting its versatility across different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The resources needed to bring this magnificent beast onto the battlefield is considerable. With other cards in the game offering impactful effects for less mana, this initially puts you at a tempo disadvantage. As a result, the card may not line up well against more cost-efficient creatures and spells.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Lightning Dragon can adapt to a diverse range of strategies, fitting seamlessly into both aggressive red decks and more controlling builds that can take advantage of its flying ability.

Combo Potential: With its built-in mechanics for ramping up power, the Lightning Dragon works excellently with cards that synergize with powerful flying creatures or reward you for dealing combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies often dominate the board, having a resilient and potentially fast clock like Lightning Dragon is a strategic asset, especially in formats where its speed and evasion can outpace the prevalent deck archetypes.


How to beat

The allure of the Lightning Dragon in Magic: The Gathering lies in its swift, high-impact gameplay, often challenging opponents with its flying and fire-breathing capabilities. To successfully navigate against this fiery adversary, it’s essential to focus on a strategy that includes removal spells that can take down a flying creature. Cards like Murder, which can kill a creature outright regardless of its size or abilities, prove invaluable. Additionally, consider enchantments that prevent damage or neutralize abilities such as Pacifism, to render the dragon’s powers ineffective, thus grounding the threat it poses.

Control decks with ample counterspells also serve as a formidable countermeasure, particularly those that can counter creature spells outright like Cancel or Essence Scatter. These not only prevent the Lightning Dragon from entering the battlefield but also conserve resources for other threats. Beyond individual cards, adjusting your deck to operate at instant speed allows you to respond effectively to the dragon’s quick attacks. Timing is essential, and so is a well-curated hand, braced to extinguish the threat of a soaring Lightning Dragon before it ignites the game beyond recovery.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lightning Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Magic Online Promos, 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 Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lightning Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 2021997NormalBlackRon Spencer
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 321961997NormalBlackRon Spencer
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1772015NormalBlackRon Spencer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal