Lightning Strike MTG Card


Efficiently eliminates threats, disrupting opponents and indirectly providing card advantage with strategic use. Instant speed grants flexibility, allowing fast responses and strategic mana utilization for maintaining tempo. Demands careful hand management; situational compared to lower cost or higher damage spells.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Lightning Strike deals 3 damage to target creature or player.

"The hand of Keranos can be seen in every rumbling storm cloud. Best not to stand where he points." —Rakleia of Shrine Peak


Cards like Lightning Strike

Lightning Strike serves as a versatile tool in the arsenal of red spell-slingers in Magic: The Gathering, offering a quick and efficient way to deal damage. When eyed alongside other burn spells, its similarities with Shock become apparent, as both are instant-speed removal options. However, Lightning Strike deals more damage, justifying its additional mana cost compared to Shock’s leaner expense.

Examining further, we can liken it to Searing Spear, which mirrors the mana cost and impact of Lightning Strike, but its historical context differentiates it. Magma Jet is another related card that deals less damage but provides the strategic advantage of scrying to set up future plays. Nonetheless, the raw power and straightforwardness of Lightning Strike often makes it the spell of choice for players looking to efficiently impact the board or finish off an opponent.

Whether you’re clearing a path for your creatures or targeting an opponent directly, Lightning Strike affords a level of flexibility that makes it a formidable inclusion in many MTG decks. The card’s balance between cost and effect maintains its perennial popularity among players valuing swift and decisive action in their games.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Searing Spear - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Searing Spear - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro StandardMono-Red AggroStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Temur ProwessTemur Prowess StandardTemur AggroPro Tour Thunder Junction
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro StandardRakdos AggroTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
Temur AggroTemur Aggro StandardTemur AggroStandard League 2024-04-21

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lightning Strike offers strategic upper hand by efficiently removing key threats, potentially disrupting your opponent’s game plan and indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resources, this card’s low mana cost aids in maintaining pace with your opponent, effectively accelerating your position by dealing with more costly creatures or planeswalkers.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Lightning Strike at instant speed provides the agility to react swiftly to evolving board states, preserve mana for bluffing, or apply end-of-turn pressure, giving players a decisive edge during critical moments of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lightning Strike demands strategic hand management, as holding it without immediate use may cost you a more beneficial play during critical turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Its mana cost necessitates at least one red source. This might not synergize with multicolored decks that de-prioritize red mana or strategies less reliant on direct damage.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana isn’t the steepest cost for an instant, other spells offer either a lower cost or greater damage for a similar investment, which can make Lightning Strike a less favorable choice in decks looking for maximum efficiency.


Reasons to Include Lightning Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Lightning Strike offers a flexible removal ability that can target creatures or directly affect players’ life totals, making it an asset in aggressive and control decks alike.

Combo Potential: Its instant speed allows it to be woven into multi-step plays or used as a surprise finisher when combined with other damage-dealing spells or abilities.

Meta-Relevance: As aggressive strategies often surface in various MTG metagames, Lightning Strike remains a relevant choice to dismantle early to mid-game threats or close out matches quickly.


How to beat Lightning Strike

Lightning Strike is a popular choice for players who value direct damage and flexibility in their Magic: The Gathering decks. This instant card efficiently deals three damage to either a creature or player for a minimal cost, making it a formidable opponent on the battlefield. To counteract Lightning Strike, savvy players often turn to card options that provide protections from red or instant-speed interactions.

For instance, Tormod’s Crypt can be an excellent preventive measure against graveyard-based strategies that aim to reuse Lightning Strike through recursion. Counterspells are another effective tool, with Negate being a prime example, able to stop Lightning Strike at a low mana cost. Additionally, creatures with abilities that prevent or redirect damage, like those with prowess or hexproof, can effectively neutralize the threat of Lightning Strike by denying its targets or by outgrowing the damage dealt.

Understanding the distinct place Lightning Strike holds within the aggressive red decks and adapting your strategy accordingly can be pivotal in gaining the upper hand. Employing suitable defensive tactics and being aware of the card’s potential presence in an opponent’s hand are critical steps toward achieving victory in any MTG match where Lightning Strike is a factor.


BurnMana Recommendations

The thrill of MTG lies in the ebb and flow of gameplay, propelled by strategic card choices like Lightning Strike. This instant could turn the tides in your favor by offering sheer power and flexibility. Whether it’s controlling the battlefield or racing to reduce your opponent’s life total, having Lightning Strike in your arsenal means you’re prepared for swift, decisive actions. To better understand this dynamo and integrate it into your winning formulas, delve into our comprehensive insights. Sharpen your tactics and knowledge with our in-depth analysis, and prepare to command the game with confidence. Learn more and ignite the path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lightning Strike MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Magic 2015, 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 Strike and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lightning Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2024-08-03. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 1272003NormalBlackAdam Paquette
22014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1552015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
32017-09-29IxalanXLN 1492015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
42018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1522015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
52019-11-15Game Night 2019GN2 422015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
62019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 7242015NormalBorderlessFrank Frazetta
72020-07-17Jumpstart Arena ExclusivesAJMP 1522015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
82022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 1372015NormalBlackMarta Nael
92022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 4332015NormalBlackMarta Nael
102024-08-03Cowboy BebopPCBB 42015NormalBorderlessMaxilla

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Strike has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal