Lightning Blast MTG Card


Lightning Blast offers card advantage with instant 4 damage to creatures or players, potentially altering battlefield dynamics. Despite its power, Lightning Blast requires discarding a card and has a specific four-mana cost, limiting some strategies. Instant speed and the potential for game-changing combos make Lightning Blast a relevant and versatile card in MTG.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

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.

Searing Blaze - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Fireball - MTG Card versions
Searing Blaze - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Fireball - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lightning Blast by color, type and mana cost

Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Parallectric Feedback - MTG Card versions
Cackling Flames - MTG Card versions
Sulfurous Blast - MTG Card versions
Dead // Gone - MTG Card versions
Ricochet Trap - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions
Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Parallectric Feedback - MTG Card versions
Cackling Flames - MTG Card versions
Sulfurous Blast - MTG Card versions
Dead // Gone - MTG Card versions
Ricochet Trap - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions

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.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn LegacyCharlotte 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:

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

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 1851997NormalBlackRichard Thomas
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1931997NormalWhiteRichard Thomas
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 200★1997NormalBlackRon Spencer
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2001997NormalWhiteRon Spencer
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2002003NormalWhiteRichard Thomas
62003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 200★2003NormalBlackRichard Thomas
72015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1382015NormalBlackRichard Thomas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Blast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal