Lightning Serpent MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 88
2020-07-17 - Number 88
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Serpent |
| Abilities | Haste,Trample |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- The card’s flash ability allows strategic flexibility and surprise element, making it a powerful combat trick.
- Resource utilization is optimized with the Serpent, turning spare mana into an instant creature threat.
- Despite its potential, Lightning Serpent’s red mana requirement and discard effect present notable deck-building challenges.
Text of card
Trample, haste Lightning Serpent comes into play with X +1/+0 counters on it. At end of turn, sacrifice Lightning Serpent.
Ice exploded into steam in its wake, hissing like a thousand serpents hailing their blazing master.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Lightning Serpent card has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes to managing your hand. Its scalable nature means you can pump more mana into it to create a larger threat, possibly leading to a more advantageous board state.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, the Lightning Serpent offers a flexible mana investment, allowing you to invest any excess mana efficiently at the end of your opponent’s turn. This can turn unspent mana into a formidable creature, optimizing resource usage.
Instant Speed: The key feature of Lightning Serpent is its flash ability, enabling you to summon it at instant speed. This strategic advantage allows you to adapt to the battlefield on the fly and potentially catch your opponent off guard, making it a tactical tool in any game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lightning Serpent necessitates the discarding of cards, which may deplete your hand and leave you vulnerable, especially if you’re running out of cards to play.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Lightning Serpent includes red mana, which may not be optimal for multi-colored decks that require a balanced mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cumulative red mana cost for each point of power for Lightning Serpent can be quite steep, potentially limiting the card’s effectiveness in fast-paced games where lower-cost creatures could be more beneficial.
Reasons to Include Lightning Serpent in Your Collection
Versatility: Lightning Serpent offers flexibility across various deck builds, adapting well to strategies focusing on direct damage or creature swarming. Its scalable mana cost allows players to summon a threat at any stage of the game.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with spells that double damage or increase the number of counters, greatly enhancing its impact on the game when timed right.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment rich with creature-based tactics, Lightning Serpent can serve as a surprise finisher, especially in formats where unexpected bursts of damage can shift the tide of battle in your favor.
How to beat
Lightning Serpent, an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, presents a unique battle for players. Standing out with its flexible mana cost and Trample ability, it can quickly become a significant threat on the board. The card can be pumped with X mana for X +1/+0 counters, making it potentially overwhelming for an opponent during the late game.
Knowing how to efficiently counter this snaking bolt can give players an edge. To begin with, instant-speed removal spells are the serpent’s archnemesis. Being able to cast a Doom Blade or Path to Exile before the attack phase hits can prevent the creature from dealing any damage, regardless of how much mana was spent to enlarge it. In addition, countering it upon cast with spells like Counterspell, negates the mana investment altogether. Another strategy involves taking control of combat through defensive measures such as ‘fog’ effects with cards like Holy Day or employing deathtouch creatures to make the lightning bolt strike out without acrimony.
When pitted against Lightning Serpent, the key lies in readiness and reaction speed. Utilizing the right removal or control cards can transform a potent threat into a fizzled opportunity, reflecting a player’s adeptness in strategizing against dynamic threats in MTG.
Cards like Lightning Serpent
The Lightning Serpent brings a unique flavor to the table with its combination of fiery entrance and flexible size, contributing to the compelling array of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other cards like Ball Lightning, which also offers a powerful punch for a short-term presence on the battlefield. What sets the serpent apart is its X cost that allows for scaling power and toughness, whereas Ball Lightning’s stats are fixed.
Another kin in terms of gameplay impact is Spark Elemental, traits of it being a short-lived threat with trample and haste. Yet, Lightning Serpent provides an edge with its adaptable investment, enabling a variable amount of damage depending on the available mana. Firecat Blitz introduces a different yet related mechanic, producing multiple elementals with a potential single-turn offensive. Yet, unlike the flexibility of the Serpent, Firecat Blitz’s strategy is anchored on a swarm approach rather than a variable single creature onslaught.
Within the realm of MTG creature dynamics, the Lightning Serpent confirms its place as a versatile tool for players poised to harness the power of fire. Its mana flexibility invites strategic depth, while its fiery compatriots provide different but complementary approaches to red’s blitzkrieg tactics.
Cards similar to Lightning Serpent by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lightning Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Jumpstart Arena Exclusives, 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 Serpent 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
Printings
The Lightning Serpent Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by John Avon.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap | CSP | 88 | 2003 | normal | black | John Avon | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart Arena Exclusives | AJMP | 88 | 2015 | normal | black | John Avon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Serpent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lightning Serpent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-07-15 | If Lightning Serpent enters the battlefield without X being paid because an effect puts it onto the battlefield or an effect lets you cast it without paying its mana cost, then X is 0. |
