Blightning MTG Card


Offers card advantage by forcing opponents to discard, giving you a tactical upper hand. Requires specific mana colors, best suited for multicolored decks that can support it. Valuable for its versatility and meta-relevance, enhancing both tempo and aggro decks.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Blightning deals 3 damage to target player. That player discards two cards.

While the smell of burning flesh is common in Grixis, the odor of smoldering brain matter is a rare treat.


Cards like Blightning

Blightning is a powerful player in the realm of combination damage and discard spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative, Mind Rot, also compels the opponent to discard two cards, yet does not deal damage. This makes Blightning particularly valuable for its ability to impact both the opponent’s hand and life total with a single cast.

Another akin spell is Rakdos’s Return, which scales to the mana invested into it, allowing it to potentially eclipse Blightning’s fixed damage and discard quantities. Both cards serve to deplete the opponent’s resources, but Rakdos’s Return provides the flexibility to decimate an opponent’s entire hand in the late game or deal a devastating blow to their life points.

Equally worth mentioning is Hymn to Tourach, although not standard-legal, it shares the forced discard trait but lacks the direct damage. However, the random discard element can occasionally strike more vital cards from the opponent’s grip. Even in the face of these contenders, Blightning stands out for its straightforward and consistent execution, making it a staple in formats where it’s legal and casting it is often a strategic linchpin in aggressive red and black decks.

Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Rakdos's Return - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Rakdos's Return - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Blightning by color, type and mana cost

Corpse Explosion - MTG Card versions
Demonic Dread - MTG Card versions
Claim // Fame - MTG Card versions
Last One Standing - MTG Card versions
Aggressive Sabotage - MTG Card versions
Deadly Complication - MTG Card versions
Corpse Explosion - MTG Card versions
Demonic Dread - MTG Card versions
Claim // Fame - MTG Card versions
Last One Standing - MTG Card versions
Aggressive Sabotage - MTG Card versions
Deadly Complication - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blightning is a prime choice for dismantling your opponent’s hand, stripping them of two cards and thus tipping the scales in your favor when it comes to resources.

Resource Acceleration: Not directly linked to accelerating your available resources, Blightning can certainly impede your opponent’s flow by potentially discarding their mana sources or crucial ramp spells.

Instant Speed: While Blightning operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the board state is swift and disruptive, providing an immediate advantage by dealing damage in addition to affecting hand resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One key downside of Blightning is its effect that forces the casting player’s opponent to discard cards. This can occasionally backfire in matchups where the opponent benefits from having cards in their graveyard, making Blightning less effective in such cases.

Specific Mana Cost: Blightning’s casting cost requires both red and black mana, which means it can only be optimally used in multicolored decks that can reliably produce both types of mana. Mono-colored or other deck strategies might not be able to accommodate this card as easily.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including both colored requirements, Blightning can be considered somewhat costly for its effect, especially when compared to other damage or discard effect cards that may offer similar outcomes at a lower cost or with additional flexibility.


Reasons to Include Blightning in Your Collection

Versatility: Blightning is a dynamic addition to any collection due to its dual ability to deal damage to opponents while also disrupting their hand. It’s a flexible card that can be slotted into various decks, particularly those that prey on the opponent’s resources.

Combo Potential: With its ability to reduce an opponent’s hand size, Blightning works well with strategies that capitalize on discard mechanics. It can also assist in lowering life totals for a swift victory, setting the stage for other damage-dealing combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by decks that have a robust late-game, Blightning serves as an effective tool for applying pressure early on. It’s an asset for tempo and aggro strategies looking to maintain leverage against more resource-heavy decks.


How to beat

Blightning is a powerful card in MTG, combining damage and disruption by making your opponent discard while dealing a hit to their life total. Dealing with this card requires a proactive strategy. Keeping your hand size large can mitigate the impact of the discard effect, while having low-cost or instant-speed spells allows you to cast important cards before Blightning resolves. Efficient counterspells, like Negate or Spell Pierce, can prevent Blightning from ever hitting the table.

Alternatively, utilizing cards that benefit from being in the graveyard can turn Blightning’s disadvantage into an advantage. Cards with flashback or abilities that trigger when they’re discarded can ensure that you maintain your momentum. It’s also beneficial to hold onto lands or less impactful cards if you suspect Blightning is in your opponent’s deck, saving more valuable spells for later in the game. Ultimately, maintaining card advantage and pressuring your opponent early can diminish Blightning’s effectiveness, keeping you in control of the game.

Understanding your deck’s strengths and the optimal timing for playing your spells is the key to circumventing the disruptive force of this notorious card. Adaptability and strategic hand management often trump the temporary setback Blightning attempts to impose on your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Blightning holds a unique spot in the MTG universe as a tool that creates dual pressure by sniping an opponent’s hand while chipping away at their life total. It’s a must-have for players favoring aggressive strategies or those who enjoy commanding the pace of the game. Whether you’re building a new deck or refining an existing one, Blightning can be a game-changer, offering a punishing combination of discard and damage. For those wanting to incorporate such tactics or simply appreciate the card’s potential, dive deeper with us. Discover strategies, synergies, and ways to maximize Blightning’s impact on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blightning MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Shards of Alara, 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 Blightning and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Blightning Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 351242003NormalBlackJim Pavelec
22008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1562003NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
32009-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2009P09 62003NormalBlackJim Pavelec
42013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 692003NormalBlackDan Scott
52018-03-16Masters 25A25 1982015NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
62019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 14012015NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
72020-09-26The ListPLST A25-1982015NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blightning has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 The targeted player will discard two cards even if some or all of Blightning’s damage is prevented or redirected.