Lightning Cloud MTG Card

Lightning Cloud offers both indirect card advantage and instant-speed response, enhancing strategic play. Requires careful resource management due to the discard mechanic and specific mana needs. Possesses a unique value with combo potential and meta relevance for red-centric decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Number	87
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Matson

Text of card

oo R Lightning Cloud deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Use this ability only when a red spell is successfully cast and only once for each such spell.

The mightiest clouds sit upon spires of fire. —Femeref adage

Cards like Lightning Cloud

Lightning Cloud is an intriguing presence in the realm of damage-dealing effects in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards such as Pyrohemia and Pestilence, as they all allow players to deal damage to each creature and player. Lightning Cloud requires the additional step of discarding a red card to activate its ability, whereas Pyrohemia and Pestilence can be activated with a simple mana payment. This makes Lightning Cloud a potentially more sustained threat, provided you have an ample hand.

Comparatively, we observe a card like Anger of the Gods, which offers a one-time event delivering three damage to all creatures. While Anger of the Gods can be a decisive play to clear the board, Lightning Cloud can be a continuous source of pain for opponents, adaptable to unfolding game situations. Another similar option is Rolling Earthquake, which also harms each creature and player, but its difference lies in its ability to affect creatures with horsemanship. This nuance might make Rolling Earthquake favorable in certain meta-games where horsemanship is prevalent.

In analyzing the unique effects and utility offered by these cards, Lightning Cloud carves a niche for itself as a versatile and potentially recurring threat in Magic: The Gathering, adapting to strategic hand management and battlefield states.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lightning Cloud provides a strategic edge by potentially dealing damage every turn. This recurring effect can lead to indirect card advantage by removing opponent’s creatures or pressuring their life total without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be synergized with spells or abilities that untap lands, effectively accelerating your resource availability. It energizes with strategies that seek to maximize the use of lands or mana-producing permanents.

Instant Speed: While Lightning Cloud is an enchantment, it has the unique capability of activating its damage ability at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to respond to your opponents’ actions during their turn, keeping them on their toes and making it harder for them to predict and play around your strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lightning Cloud mandates a card discard each time you want to trigger its effect. This can put players at a resource disadvantage, especially in game scenarios where each card in hand is critical for maintaining momentum or responding to opponents’ threats.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a commitment to red mana, which can be challenging in multicolored decks that need to balance their mana base carefully. If your deck isn’t heavily red or lacks mana fixing capabilities, you might find Lighting Cloud less accessible or consistent in its deployment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana can be steep for the ability it offers. While the effect can be powerful, there are other options in the MTG universe that may provide greater flexibility or lower cost alternatives for similar or scaled-down effects. Players might find more economical choices when deck-building, considering the high pace and efficiency required in many game formats.

Reasons to Include Lightning Cloud in Your Collection

Versatility: Lightning Cloud can seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck builds, especially those revolving around spell-slinging and damage amplification strategies.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with abilities that trigger upon casting an instant or sorcery, or those that benefit from dealing damage to players or creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given that many competitive scenes revolve around creature-focused decks, Lightning Cloud’s capacity for board control could be vital in gaining the upper hand.

How to beat

Lightning Cloud is an interesting element within the pantheon of red spells that challenge MTG players to develop strategic responses. Its ability to deal damage to creatures or players each time an instant or sorcery is cast can quickly escalate the pressure on the opposing side. To effectively counter this storm, it is essential to implement a two-pronged approach: remove the enchantment directly or disrupt the casting of instants and sorceries.

Direct removal spells such as Disenchant provide an immediate solution by targeting and destroying the problematic enchantment. Alternatively, utilizing counter spells can thwart your opponent’s attempts to cast those instants and sorceries that would trigger Lightning Cloud’s ability. Prioritizing the removal of Lightning Cloud can be the turning point in a match, neutralizing its threat and asserting control over the game dynamic.

Tactically speaking, transforming this challenge into an opportunity can give players the edge they need. Understanding the key moments to respond and neutralize Lightning Cloud is integral for maintaining the upper hand in the battle. Ultimately, it reinforces the importance of having versatile answers ready to adapt to any situation on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lightning Cloud MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Cloud and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Cloud has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lightning Cloud card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Triggers when the spell is cast.
2004-10-04	You pick the target when putting the triggered ability on the stack, but you don’t choose whether or not to pay until the triggered ability resolves.