Light 'Em Up MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 466
2022-04-29 - Number 113
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Casualty |
Text of card
Casualty 2 Light 'Em Up deals 2 damage to target creature or planeswalker.
Cards like Light 'Em Up
Light ‘Em Up is an interesting addition to the roster of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with spells like Shock, which similarly deals a quick 2 damage to any target. However, Light ‘Em Up differentiates itself with the adaptability of dealing damage to a player or planeswalker once a creature you control leaves the battlefield.
While examining its peers, we find Searing Spear, another efficient damage spell. Searing Spear offers the same damage output without requiring a condition to be met, which grants it more straightforward utility. In contrast, Light ‘Em Up’s potential is unleashed upon the specific event of a creature’s departure, adding a strategic layer to its use.
There’s also Chandra’s Pyrohelix, which allows a player to split its 2 damage however they choose among one or two targets. While offering flexibility, it lacks the secondary trigger condition that can make Light ‘Em Up a recurring threat in certain deck types. Ultimately, Light ‘Em Up’s value is accentuated by its reactive damage potential within MTG decks focusing on creature synergy and sacrificial tactics.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Light ‘Em Up allows you to potentially disrupt your opponent’s early-game board presence while setting up for your game-winning strategy. It can clear out smaller creatures, making it easier to maintain control.
Resource Acceleration: By dealing damage to multiple targets, Light ‘Em Up might enable certain cards in your deck to trigger their abilities, thus speeding up your game plan and outpacing the opponent through synergistic mechanics.
Instant Speed: The versatility of playing Light ‘Em Up at instant speed adds a layer of complexity to your gameplay. It allows you to react during the opponent’s turn and potentially alter the state of the game in your favor without sacrificing the momentum of your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Light ‘Em Up card mandates that you discard another card to activate its ability. This condition may put you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if your hand is already dwindling and you’re forced to lose potentially vital cards in the process.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana requirement to play Light ‘Em Up involves red mana, which could restrict its inclusion in multi-color decks or those that do not prioritize red mana in their strategy, thus hampering deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The asking price of Light ‘Em Up’s cast and ability might be seen as a bit steep in the fast-paced game where players are always looking for the most cost-effective spells. Some might argue that similar effects could be achieved with less resource investment or via more impactful cards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Light ‘Em Up offers flexibility across multiple red-centric decks with its efficient burn mechanic, easily slipping into aggressive strategies that aim to reduce the opponent’s life total quickly.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that amplify damage or take advantage of casting multiple spells in a turn, fitting neatly into spellslinger or storm builds.
Meta-Relevance: Given the pace of the current meta, Light ‘Em Up can be a critical tool for controlling early threats or closing out games against slower, more cumbersome decks.
How to beat
Light ‘Em Up proves to be a dynamic tool for players aiming to control the battlefield in MTG. This card enables you to deal direct damage to creatures or planeswalkers, showing its versatility and tactical advantage. To outmaneuver an opponent wielding this fiery spell, it’s crucial to adopt a strategy that nullifies its impact.
Shifting the focus to creature protection mitigates Light ‘Em Up’s potency. Consider cards that grant hexproof or indestructible abilities, sheltering your key creatures from targeted spells. Implementing counterspells works effectively by stopping Light ‘Em Up before it can be a threat. Additionally, prioritizing the deployment of creatures with toughness beyond the damage range of Light ‘Em Up can ensure your battlefield presence remains strong against such direct damage tactics.
Understanding the chess-like maneuvering in MTG is central to overcoming opponents and their strategies. As Light ‘Em Up aims to exert pressure and dominate through targeted damage, well-devised counter-strategies will diffuse its power, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your matches, regardless of the fiery surprises your opponent has in store.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Light 'Em Up MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Light 'Em Up and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Light 'Em Up Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Tony Foti.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 466 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tony Foti | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tony Foti |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Light 'Em Up has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Light 'Em Up card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | Casualty N means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power N or greater.” and “When you cast this spell, if a casualty cost was paid for it, copy it. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for the copy.” |
| 2022-04-29 | If you pay the casualty cost of a spell, the copy will resolve before the original spell. |
| 2022-04-29 | The copy of the spell is created on the stack, so it's not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won't trigger. |
| 2022-04-29 | You may sacrifice only one creature to pay a spell's casualty cost, and you copy the spell only once. |