Lightning Blast MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
Lightning Blast deals 4 damage to target creature or player.
"Those who fear the darkness have never seen what the light can do." —Selenia, dark angel
Cards like Lightning Blast
One of the remarkable red spells in Magic: The Gathering, Lightning Blast delivers a direct blow to the opponent’s life points or creatures. Cards like Searing Blaze or Lightning Strike offer similar drama of direct appliance but with their nuances. Searing Blaze, for instance, needs landfall to activate its full potential, which can be a double-edged sword. But it does provide dual utility of damaging a creature plus the player, a distinctive feature indeed.
When we take Lightning Strike into consideration, it has an upper edge in cost-effectiveness, requiring lesser mana to cast. Yet, it falls short against Lightning Blast’s massive four points of damage. Another spell that catches our attention is Fireball, capable of multiple targets, but the distribution of damage may often be quite perplexing in some scenarios.
So, in essence, while each of these comparable cards has something unique to offer, Lightning Blast seems to find a promising place among Magic: The Gathering spells with its straightforward, high-damage strategy. Its value enhancement resides in its simplicity, enabling players to incorporate it easily into their decks.
Cards similar to Lightning Blast by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Lightning Blast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mono-Red Burn | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 3 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lightning Blast Mtg Card is an exceptional addition to your deck because of its card advantage. It offers a chance to deal a straight 4 damage to any creature or player. The card advantage lies in its ability to remove creatures from the field, thus reducing your opponent’s potential to attack or block.
Resource Acceleration: While Lightning Blast doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration like some other cards, it indirectly helps to accelerate your game by eliminating threats on the battlefield. Through this function, you can save resources that were intended for dealing with such threats in the future.
Instant Speed: The strong suit of Lightning Blast is its instant speed. The ability to cast this spell at any time gives you the flexibility and control over your game strategy. You can choose the most inopportune moment for your opponent to deal that large chunk of direct damage, even during their turn. It adds an unpredictable nature to your gameplay making it difficult for your adversaries to counter.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Lightning Blast possesses a strong effect, it requires discarding a card from your hand which can potentially be detrimental if your hand is sparse on resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Blast’s casting cost includes three colorless mana and one red mana, limiting its versatility to primarily red or multicolored decks. Given its specificity, it could possibly hinder your strategy in a mono-deck that does not align with the red color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at a substantial four mana for its ability, Lightning Blast’s effect might not seem cost-efficient for some players. There are other MTG cards available with lower mana expenditure for comparable or even more efficient effects.
Reasons to Include Lightning Blast in Your Collection
Versatility: Lightning Blast, with its instant spell speed and ability to deal 4 damage to any target, offers flexibility to your deck. It can be utilized to eliminate threats on the battlefield, or directly zap your opponent for substantial damage. This makes it a valuable tool matter the deck type or game scenario.
Combo Potential: The card’s straightforward mechanics can be paired seamlessly with any strategy that seeks to leverage damage-based interactions. With the right setup, Lightning Blast can be the cornerstone of powerful combos that can swing the game in your favor instantly.
Meta-Relevance: In the current MTG meta, removal spells are premium. Being an instant that can target any creature or player, Lightning Blast is always relevant. Whether destroying a powerhouse creature or finishing a wounded opponent, its impact can be game-changing. Include this card to always be one step ahead of the meta.
How to beat
When playing against Lightning Blast in MTG, strategic savvy is a must. This card has a defining strength in its ability to deal extensive damage to a target creature or player. It’s akin to other highly-damaging cards like Fireball, with the main difference being the need for a single target instead of an option for multiple targets.
Consider for contrast, Counterspell. This card has the advantage of invalidating another player’s spell, something Lightning Blast cannot achieve. However, Lightning Blast outguns Counterspell when it comes to inflicting direct damage. Volcanic Hammer exhibits similar aspects as Lightning Blast, being a common direct damage spell. Still, it falls short in damage strength, which makes Lightning Blast formidable.
Another noteworthy card is Shock. It is less expensive than Lightning Blast, but at the expense of less damage output. Therefore, playing against a Lightning Blast card involves methods to dodge or counter its high damage output. Utilizing counter spells, creature protection abilities, or life gain strategies can significantly diminish Lightning Blast’s impact. Thus, with a clever approach, the dominating presence of a Lightning Blast might be mitigated.
BurnMana Recommendations
As you harness the explosive power of Lightning Blast in your MTG arsenal, consider the strategic depth it offers. Perfect for dispatching formidable creatures or delivering a crucial strike to opponents, this spell bolsters your capabilities in crucial moments. Whether seeking to dominate the current meta with its high impact or wanting to add that high-damage spell to your collection, Lightning Blast is a card that promises versatility and game-changing potential in various scenarios. Dive deeper into strategy and optimization with our insights and ensure your deck has what it takes to emerge victorious in the ever-evolving battlefield of MTG. Learn more and let your deck truly electrify the competition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lightning Blast MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Blast 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Lightning Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 185 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 193 | 1997 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 200★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 200 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 200 | 2003 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 200★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
7 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Blast has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |