Lightning Crafter MTG Card

Lightning Crafter offers card advantage through repeatable enter-the-battlefield effects. Its tribal synergies can lead to swift resource acceleration within goblin decks. Flexible instant speed damage can disrupt opponents’ strategies effectively.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Shaman
Abilities Champion
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Champion a Goblin or Shaman (When this comes into play, sacrifice it unless you remove another Goblin or Shaman you control from the game. When this leaves play, that card returns to play.) : Lightning Crafter deals 3 damage to target creature or player.

Cards like Lightning Crafter

Lightning Crafter brings a unique blend of abilities to the table in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards such as Goblin Sharpshooter for its tap ability to deal damage directly to any target. Yet, Lightning Crafter stands out with its champion mechanic, allowing for temporary exile of another Goblin or Shaman to bring larger damage potential earlier in the game.

Comparably, we have Skirk Fire Marshal, offering a potent board-impacting ability at the cost of tapping five Goblins. Though it delivers a higher damage output, it requires a wider Goblin presence to be effective. Lightning Crafter, meanwhile, needs only itself and a suitable creature to champion, providing more immediate and reliable control.

Another akin card is Embermage Goblin, which also permits players to deal damage through tapping. However, Embermage Goblin demands mana investment for each damage dealt, whereas Lightning Crafter’s built-in ability comes without ongoing costs. This distinction can be crucial for maintaining mana availability for other strategies within a game.

Ultimately, Lightning Crafter garners its uniqueness through the combination of repeatable damage and the flexibility championing offers, allowing the card to adapt to different in-game situations while also fitting well within Goblin-centric or Shaman-synergistic decks.

Goblin Sharpshooter - MTG Card versions
Skirk Fire Marshal - MTG Card versions
Embermage Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sharpshooter - MTG Card versions
Skirk Fire Marshal - MTG Card versions
Embermage Goblin - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Lightning Crafter. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos GoblinsRakdos Goblins LegacyGoblins2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Food ChainFood Chain LegacyGoblinsEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lightning Crafter is a unique creature that can potentially generate card advantage by repeatedly exploiting its champion mechanic. When paired with the ability to create a copy of a creature with an enter the battlefield effect, it can repeatedly trigger those effects for significant gain.

Resource Acceleration: As a goblin shaman, Lightning Crafter complements tribal synergies in MTG that often result in resource acceleration. This acceleration can come from the additional goblins or creatures you may put into play due to the tribal synergies that goblins are renowned for.

Instant Speed: Although Lightning Crafter itself is not an instant, its tap ability allows you to deal damage at instant speed. This gives you the flexibility to remove key threats during your opponent’s turn or apply damage directly to them when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As an essential part of the combo, Lightning Crafter card demands you to have a creature to champion. Should your battlefield be empty, this can be a significant setback, effectively stalling your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Crafter’s activation cost necessitates not just a specific color but also a triple red mana, which may not always be readily available. This can be particularly challenging in multi-color decks where mana diversity is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that reaches a total of four mana, three of which are red, Lightning Crafter stands at a steeper price point when compared to other creatures in the game with similar abilities. This can be a considerable disadvantage when trying to maintain mana efficiency throughout your plays.

Reasons to Include Lightning Crafter in Your Collection

Versatility: Lightning Crafter complements a range of deck types, providing a reliable source of damage that can be used for creature removal or player targeting. Its adaptability in different game scenarios makes it a smart pick for any player.

Combo Potential: As a shaman with the changeling ability, this card has the magnificent potential to interact with other shamans or tribally-focused cards. Its ability to tap for direct damage pairs well with untap mechanics, enabling lightning-fast combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to disrupt creature-based strategies and serve as an unexpected win condition, Lightning Crafter holds its own in various metagames. Its presence can shift the momentum of the game, especially in environments heavy with creature synergies.

How to beat

Lightning Crafter is a formidable presence in MTG, offering both a sizable creature and a repeatable source of direct damage. Its ability to champion a Goblin or Shaman on the battlefield, and then tap to deal three damage to any target, presents a relentless assault that can overwhelm opponents if left unchallenged.

To effectively neutralize Lightning Crafter, it’s best to leverage instant-speed removal spells that can interrupt its synergies before the damage is dealt. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push offer efficient ways to dispatch the Crafter without significant mana investment. Another tactic involves utilizing counter spells when Lightning Crafter enters the battlefield, avoiding its champion ability and nipping the threat in the bud.

Controlling the board state is also key; ensuring that potential champion targets are scarce will limit Lightning Crafter’s impact. It’s a delicate balance of preemptive control and reactive measures. Agile and strategic deck-building can provide the tools necessary to mitigate Lightning Crafter’s potential and turn the tides of play in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lightning Crafter MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and The List, 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 Crafter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lightning Crafter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2008-02-01. Illustrated by Dan Scott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 932003NormalBlackDan Scott
22020-09-26The ListPLST MOR-932003NormalBlackDan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Crafter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal