Ball Lightning MTG Card


Ball Lightning deals a quick, substantial blow, but lacks protection against removal or blocking by robust creatures. The triple red mana cost limits its deck inclusion, emphasizing use in red-centric MTG strategies. In the right deck, Ball Lightning’s ability to deal immediate damage makes it a formidable offensive card.
Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Haste,Trample
Power 6
Toughness 1

Text of card

Trample Ball Lightning may attack on the turn during which it is summoned. Ball Lightning is buried at the end of the turn during which it is summoned.


Cards like Ball Lightning

Ball Lightning is a remarkable card in the realm of MTG, with striking similarities to other cards within the red spells suite. Particularly, it can be compared to Hell’s Thunder, a card, like Ball Lightning, known for its short-lived but potentially game-changing impact. Whereas Ball Lightning has haste and trample, Hell’s Thunder only carries flying and haste, forfeiting the chance to deal extra damage if blocked.

Another comparable card is Lightning Skelemental, packing a combination of trample, haste, and a unique ability to force the opponent to discard two cards upon dealing combat damage. It shares Ball Lightning’s trait of being sacrificed at end of turn, though having higher power and toughness at the expense of black mana in the casting cost.

Another card sharing a striking resemblance is Groundbreaker with its green equivalent to Ball Lightning. It retains the power and toughness, the haste, trample, and the end of turn sacrifice of Ball Lightning but requires triple green mana instead.

To sum it up, while Ball Lightning shares several common traits with these cards, each has unique attributes that can provide distinct advantages based on the strategic approach and deck construction in MTG.

Hell's Thunder - MTG Card versions
Lightning Skelemental - MTG Card versions
Groundbreaker - MTG Card versions
Hell's Thunder - MTG Card versions
Lightning Skelemental - MTG Card versions
Groundbreaker - MTG Card versions

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

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
SlighSligh PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The allure of Ball Lightning lies in its swift and devastating effect, potentially dealing 6 damage to your opponent in one swoop. This card can easily tilt the balance of victory in your favor, granting you a robust advantage during your turn.

Resource Acceleration: While Ball Lightning itself doesn’t produce additional resources, it can force opponents to expend their resources hastily to mitigate damage. This tactical use can rush opponents into unfavorable situations, offering you an accelerated control over the game’s pace.

Instant Speed: While not an instant card itself, Ball Lightning can be likened to one due to its Haste ability. This allows you to immediately use Ball Lightning for attacking after casting, denying your adversaries time to strategically respond, much like the instant speed cards.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unfortunately, Ball Lightning MTG comes with no built-in protection. It may prove costly if removed by an opponent’s instant speed removal spell or blocked by an indestructible creature.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Ball Lightning is significantly restrictive, featuring a stringent stipulation of three red mana. This restricts its usability greatly to primarily mono-red or heavily red-influenced decks, discounting its versatility in the MTG landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Ball Lightning is pretty steep for a creature that most likely won’t stick around after one turn. There’s a range of other three-mana cards in MTG that could provide longer-lasting benefits, like creating multiple units or boosting other creatures, giving them more overall value.


Reasons to Include Ball Lightning in Your Collection

Versatility: This card’s ability to deal a heavy hit in a single turn makes Ball Lightning an excellent option in various decks, especially those that aim for quick damage and rush strategies.

Combo Potential: Ball Lightning has significant synergy with cards that trigger upon creature entering or leaving the battlefield, or abilities that enhance damage dealt, leading to impressive combo potential.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game where speed is essential, the immediate impact offered by Ball Lightning can certainly outpace slower, more control-oriented decks, making it a potent threat to reckon with.


How to Beat

Ball Lightning, notorious in MTG for its trailblazing attacks, is a peculiar case when strategizing counters. This unique card, a red elemental creature, allows its controller to cut corners with its overwhelming power. However, its fleeting existence can be a drawback. It hits the battlefield with a lethal 6/1 power/toughness ratio, but at the end of the turn, it’s forced into the graveyard.

Defending against this fiery foe isn’t as intimidating as it seems. The formation of a fruitful defensive line can negate the thunderous effect of Ball Lightning. This can be achieved by placing creatures with greater toughness in its path, effectively absorbing the impact. Spells that can kill or counter it instantly are also great ways to extinguish the threatening spark.

Another intriguing option is to exploit the card’s short lifespan with any kind of detrimental effect or tap card. Considering the turn restriction of Ball Lightning, using cards that gain from the death of enemy creatures might be an effective tactic.

In conclusion, although Ball Lightning arrives rapidly and destructively, it also departs in the same instant, providing players numerous avenues to combat its charged progression. It is briefly powerful, but with thoughtful strategy, you can beat it.


BurnMana Recommendations

When diving into MTG, understanding the dynamics of individual cards like Ball Lightning can be the difference between a win or a loss. It’s a formidable card that can strike your opponent quickly but knowing its limitations and ideal deck settings is key. By considering the insights on its pros and cons, alongside strategies to beat it, you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions about incorporating Ball Lightning into your gameplay. If you’re intrigued by high-impact cards or looking to enhance your red deck’s aggressiveness, continue your journey with us. Discover more insights and strategies around cards like Ball Lightning to refine your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ball Lightning MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border, 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 Ball Lightning and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ball Lightning Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-08-01The DarkDRK 571993NormalBlackQuinton Hoover
21995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1761993NormalBlackQuinton Hoover
31995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1761993NormalWhiteQuinton Hoover
41995-08-01RenaissanceREN 731993NormalBlackQuinton Hoover
51997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2101997NormalWhiteQuinton Hoover
61998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 br2101997NormalGoldQuinton Hoover
72000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 351997NormalWhiteDave Dorman
82001-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2001G01 11997NormalBlackQuinton Hoover
92002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 359721997NormalBlackQuinton Hoover
102007-09-10Masters EditionME1 871997NormalBlackQuinton Hoover
112009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1252003NormalBlackTrevor Claxton
122018-03-16Masters 25A25 1212015NormalBlackTrevor Claxton
132020-07-17JumpstartJMP 2912015NormalBlackTrevor Claxton

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ball Lightning has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2007-02-01 The creature is sacrificed at the end of every turn in which it is on the battlefield. There is no choice about what turn to sacrifice it.