Lightning Mare MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Horse |
| Released | 2018-07-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2019 |
| Set code | M19 |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 151 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Lucas Graciano |
Key Takeaways
- Lightning Mare provides card advantage by often requiring multiple opponent resources for removal.
- Its inability to be countered and flexibility in combat make it a resilient force on the battlefield.
- While it has a specific mana cost, its strengths can overpower the drawbacks in red-focused decks.
Text of card
This spell can't be countered. Lightning Mare can't be blocked by blue creatures. : Lightning Mare gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
When it passes, storm clouds bolt across the land.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Lightning Mare doesn’t let you draw cards directly, it often requires multiple resources from your opponent to handle due to its inherent protection. This can inadvertently lead to card advantage as your opponent may need to spend more cards than usual to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: This creature’s unique ability to not be countered is akin to a form of acceleration in itself. By reliably landing on the battlefield, Lightning Mare saves you the resources typically needed to protect or reattempt your plays against control decks.
Instant Speed: While Lightning Mare operates at sorcery speed, its instant-speed activated ability gives it flexibility in combat. This instant ability can catch an opponent off guard, helping you maintain pressure and momentum throughout the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Lightning Mare doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, decks that feature it sometimes have to discard other valuable cards to maintain a focused strategy, thereby potentially reducing hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Mare’s cost solely composes of red mana, which can restrict its inclusion to mono-red or red-heavy decks, limiting its versatility across the diverse MTG metagame.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two red mana, Lightning Mare is costlier compared to other two-drop creatures, which can be a drawback in fast-paced games where mana efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Lightning Mare in Your Collection
Versatility: Lightning Mare is not your average creature. As an elemental horse with inherent protection from blue, it finds its place in a range of decks, shining in matchups against blue-heavy control decks where it can’t be countered and is tough to remove.
Combo Potential: This equine force pairs well with cards that boost its powers or offer bonuses for casting red spells. It can serve as a reliable conduit for combo-based strategies, propelling you towards victory with its charging might.
Meta-Relevance: With its unique abilities, Lightning Mare has the potential to outmaneuver popular blue-based strategies dominating the meta. It’s a strategic addition for players looking to gallop past opponents who rely heavily on blue interactions, making Lightning Mare a choice card to consider for your arsenal.
How to beat
Lightning Mare presents an electrifying challenge on the battlefield with its innate protection from blue and the ability to not be countered. This fiery equine comes out of the gate with abilities that can put control players on their heels. To turn the tide against this card, you need to be strategic. Since it holds immunity to blue magic, you’ll have to look towards other colors for answers. Removal spells outside of blue, such as black’s Fatal Push or red’s Lava Coil, are effective ways to handle this creature before it gallops out of control.
Board wipes also serve as a reliable solution to bypass Lightning Mare’s protections. Sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation clear the field, regardless of a creature’s resistant traits. Players can also utilize combat tricks to outsmart the Mare. Setting up favorable blocks or using spells that provide deathtouch, such as Touch of Moonglove, can be an inventive way to eliminate this challenging steed. Each game is different, but a versatile removal suite and creative combat maneuvers are key to keeping Lightning Mare in check.
In handling the challenges Lightning Mare brings to the table, it’s vital to remember that flexibility and resource management can help you overcome obstacles, whether they are as daunting as this powerhouse card or not.
Cards like Lightning Mare
Lightning Mare strides into the MTG universe as an intriguing creature card from the Core Set 2019. It draws comparisons to other creature cards like Mistcutter Hydra, which also has protection from a chosen color. Lightning Mare differentiates itself by exclusively offering protection from the color blue along with an immunity to being countered — a rare and valuable trait.
Another card resembling Lightning Mare in terms of evasiveness is Aetherling, which can dodge spells by blinking in and out of play. Though Aetherling allows for more versatility with its array of abilities, it trades off Lightning Mare’s straightforward aggression and lower casting cost. Embercleave is another companion piece worth mentioning due to its affinity with swift and aggressive creatures, potentially enhancing Lightning Mare’s combat prowess with its double strike and trample bonuses.
Ultimately, Lightning Mare holds its own within its category, combining speed, protection, and a resistance to counter spells, shaping it as a compelling option for red deck players looking to gallop past blue-based control decks in MTG’s ever-evolving meta.
Cards similar to Lightning Mare by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lightning Mare MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019, 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 Mare and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Mare has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
