Lion's Eye Diamond MTG Card


Lion’s Eye Diamond excels at graveyard synergies and setting up game-winning combos with its burst mana. Despite its power, the requisite hand discard can hinder strategies and poses a significant risk. While unique, similar MTG cards may provide safer alternatives for mana acceleration without the steep cost.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

Sacrifice Lion's Eye Diamond, Discard your hand: Add three mana of any one color to your mana pool. Play this ability as a mana source.

Held in the lion's eye —Zhalfirin saying meaning "caught in the moment of crisis"


Cards like Lion's Eye Diamond

Lion’s Eye Diamond holds a unique position in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering’s mana generating cards. It’s often likened to the infamous Black Lotus for its ability to produce three mana of any one color. However, unlike Black Lotus, Lion’s Eye Diamond comes with a steep cost – discarding your entire hand, which can pose a sizeable gamble to MTG strategists.

Another card that draws parallels is Lotus Petal, which also offers one-time mana acceleration. Though Lotus Petal offers a milder benefit by generating only one mana without requiring a discard, its lesser impact means it doesn’t quite match Lion’s Eye Diamond’s explosive potential. Mana Vault, on the other hand, provides more sustained mana generation but doesn’t offer the immediate surge of three mana of any color at zero cost.

In comparison with its peers, Lion’s Eye Diamond stands out due to its interaction with graveyard strategies and its potential to unlock powerful spell combos. Its unparalleled mana burst in the right circumstances is a force that few other cards can emulate, making it a staple in decks designed around such strategies in the MTG realm.

Black Lotus - MTG Card versions
Lotus Petal - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Black Lotus - MTG Card versions
Lotus Petal - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lion's Eye Diamond by color, type and mana cost

Black Lotus - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Jeweled Amulet - MTG Card versions
Zuran Orb - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Marauder - MTG Card versions
Claws of Gix - MTG Card versions
Mana Crypt - MTG Card versions
Mox Opal - MTG Card versions
Chalice of the Void - MTG Card versions
Orochi Hatchery - MTG Card versions
Tormod's Crypt - MTG Card versions
Mox Diamond - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions
Memnite - MTG Card versions
Engineered Explosives - MTG Card versions
Chimeric Mass - MTG Card versions
Chrome Mox - MTG Card versions
Turbo-Thwacking Auto-Hammer - MTG Card versions
Division Table - MTG Card versions
Rapid Prototyper - MTG Card versions
Black Lotus - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Jeweled Amulet - MTG Card versions
Zuran Orb - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Marauder - MTG Card versions
Claws of Gix - MTG Card versions
Mana Crypt - MTG Card versions
Mox Opal - MTG Card versions
Chalice of the Void - MTG Card versions
Orochi Hatchery - MTG Card versions
Tormod's Crypt - MTG Card versions
Mox Diamond - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions
Memnite - MTG Card versions
Engineered Explosives - MTG Card versions
Chimeric Mass - MTG Card versions
Chrome Mox - MTG Card versions
Turbo-Thwacking Auto-Hammer - MTG Card versions
Division Table - MTG Card versions
Rapid Prototyper - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Lion's Eye Diamond. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Beseech StormBeseech Storm LegacyBeseech StormLegacy League 2024-05-06
The EPIC StormThe EPIC Storm LegacyThe EPIC StormLegacy Preliminary 2024-05-08
The EPIC GambleThe EPIC Gamble LegacyThe EPIC GambleLegacy League 2024-05-09
Arclight PhoenixArclight Phoenix LegacyArclight PhoenixLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-11
DoomsdayDoomsday LegacyDoomsdayLegacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05
URUR LegacyLegacy League 2024-05-10
PainterPainter LegacyPainterLegacy League 2024-05-05
Mystic Forge ComboMystic Forge Combo LegacyMystic Forge ComboLegacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although the Lion’s Eye Diamond doesn’t inherently allow you to draw cards, it sets the stage for powerful combos that can be fueled by its ability to discard your hand, synergizing with cards that benefit from having a large graveyard.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact provides a significant burst of mana, offering three of any single color. It’s perfect for executing high-cost spells much earlier than usual, serving as a potent way to leap ahead of your opponents in mana resources.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Lion’s Eye Diamond at instant speed offers a realm of strategic depth. You can respond to your opponent’s actions by converting your hand into valuable mana, potentially turning the tide of the game by unleashing unexpected combos or countering with crucial spells when most needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Necessitates ditching your hand, posing a significant downside, particularly when you’re clinging to key cards that could turn the tides of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: While the Lion’s Eye Diamond can provide three mana of any one color, the stringent condition to trigger this effect often hinders the card’s inclusion in a multitude of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its zero mana value for an explosive effect, other options in the game may offer mana acceleration without the severe drawback of losing your hand, making this card a precarious choice for tight situations.


Reasons to Include Lion’s Eye Diamond in Your Collection

Versatility: Lion’s Eye Diamond offers unmatched mana acceleration and generation, capable of unlocking pivotal plays across an array of MTG decks, from Storm to Dredge, showcasing its adaptability in diverse strategies.

Combo Potential: This card is a linchpin in numerous combo decks, enabling explosive turns by easily discarding your hand to generate a burst of mana, often leading to game-winning sequences when used with the right synergies.

Meta-Relevance: The ever-evolving MTG meta frequently circles back to strategies that utilize Lion’s Eye Diamond for its ability to power out critical spells much earlier than opponents can anticipate, shaping it as a staple in competitive gaming.


How to beat

Lion’s Eye Diamond has etched its place in Magic: The Gathering as a notorious combo enabler, revered among those looking to execute a game-winning move in just one turn. This artifact has the unusual ability of discarding your entire hand to generate three mana of any one color, evoking the power of the storied Black Lotus. This power, however, comes at a steep price – the loss of your hand, which can leave you vulnerable if not used judiciously.

Defeating a strategy that hinges on Lion’s Eye Diamond involves disrupting the timing and resources of your opponent. Cards like Stifle or Trickbind can effectively negate the activation of its ability, cutting off the mana boost it provides. Hand disruption spells such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can preemptively remove Lion’s Eye Diamond from the opponent’s hand before they can set their plan in motion. Graveyard hate tools, like Rest in Peace, can also nullify strategies that rely on its synergy with cards like Yawgmoth’s Will or Past in Flames.

Overall, tackling this powerful resource demands anticipation and strategic disruption. Knowing when and how to attack the combo can be the key to overcoming the explosive potential of Lion’s Eye Diamond.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embracing the raw power of Lion’s Eye Diamond involves risk and reward, a balancing act familiar to seasoned MTG enthusiasts. This card’s legendary status is built on its game-changing mana burst and combo-triggering prowess. As you ponder integrating this dynamic artifact into your arsenal, consider how it can reshape the battlefield and elevate your strategies. With a knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses, you have the tools to harness its potential fully or craft defenses against it. Are you intrigued by the intricacies of Lion’s Eye Diamond? Dive deeper with us and unlock the secrets to leveraging or countering this powerful card in your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lion's Eye Diamond MTG card by a specific set like Mirage 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 Lion's Eye Diamond and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lion's Eye Diamond Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 3071997NormalBlackMargaret Organ-Kean
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 519362003NormalBlackLindsey Look
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2712015NormalBlackLindsey Look

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lion's Eye Diamond has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerBanned
PremodernLegal
VintageRestricted
DuelBanned
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 The ability is a mana ability, so it is activated and resolves as a mana ability, but it can only be activated at times when you can cast an instant. Yes, this is a bit weird.