Lightning Surge MTG Card

Provides card advantage by potentially removing multiple threats with a single cast. Acts as a resource accelerator when its ‘overload’ mechanic is triggered. Its instant speed allows for tactical flexibility, reactively disrupting opponents.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Flashback,Threshold
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Number	96
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spears

Text of card

Lightning Surge deals 4 damage to target creature or player. Threshold Instead Lightning Surge deals 6 damage to that creature or player and the damage can't be prevented. Flashback o5o Ro R (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)

Cards like Lightning Surge

Lightning Surge shines as a powerful face of direct damage within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to classic burn spells like Lightning Bolt, which provides a quick and efficient three damage for a single red mana. Though Lightning Surge demands a higher mana investment, it brings a stronger punch to the battlefield with a potential kickback when additional mana is spent.

Examining another peer, we come across Fireball, a spell renowned for its flexibility and scalability. While Fireball’s cost increases with the damage it dishes out, Lightning Surge maintains a fixed damage output, often higher than the initial cast of Fireball for a similar mana cost. And in terms of instant-speed interaction, Lightning Surge compares to Char. With Char providing a straight four damage at a lower cost, it lacks the flashback feature that allows Lightning Surge to flex its muscles from the graveyard, giving players a second chance to ignite their opponents.

In the realm of red spells that pack a punch, Lightning Surge holds its ground. Its potential for repeated use and substantial damage output make it a card with a unique blend of raw power and strategic depth, setting it apart from its fiery counterparts.

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

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lightning Surge comes with the powerful ability to deal a massive amount of damage, which can immediately remove key threats from the board. This potential to eliminate more than one creature with a single card grants you a significant card advantage, ensuring you stay ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: If Lightning Surge overkills a creature by dealing excess damage, it transfers that value into a new opportunity via its ‘overload’ mechanic. This can lead to playing additional spells in the same turn, acting as a resource accelerator, and furthering your lead in the game.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Lightning Surge provides the flexibility to react swiftly to in-game situations. With the ability to cast it during your opponent’s turn, you can make strategic plays that disrupt their game plan or remove threats just before they can deal damage, maximizing the tactical potential of each of your turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lightning Surge comes with a caveat that you may have to discard a card, depleting your hand and potentially leaving you at a strategic disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a red mana alignment, potentially restricting deck synergy and requiring a commitment to red mana sources to assure playability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a substantial amount of mana, Lightning Surge might not be the most mana-efficient removal option available to players looking for quicker or more versatile responses.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lightning Surge is a flexible choice for any collection as it can be slotted into a variety of red-based decks. Its ability to deal direct damage allows it to serve multiple roles, such as removing creatures or finishing off an opponent.

Combo Potential: With its flashback capability, Lightning Surge presents unique combo possibilities. It enables strategies that capitalize on spell recursion, giving players a second chance to impact the board significantly.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, having a card that can adapt to different metagames is crucial. Lightning Surge remains relevant with its potent damage output and the flexibility provided by flashback, making it a smart addition to decks contending with diverse threats.

How to beat

Lightning Surge is a formidable spell in Magic: The Gathering, often catching opponents off-guard with its flashback ability, allowing it to be played from the graveyard. This dual utility means players facing it must be strategic in their counters. To effectively combat Lightning Surge, it’s pivotal to have counter spells ready, like Counterspell or Mana Leak, which can negate the spell outright whether it’s cast from the hand or the graveyard.

Alternatively, proactive strategies involve using cards that limit an opponent’s ability to utilise their graveyard. Tormod’s Crypt, for example, can exile cards from the graveyard, removing the threat of a flashback-triggered Lightning Surge. Thoughtseize is another robust option, allowing you to proactively discard Lightning Surge from your opponent’s hand before it becomes a threat. Lastly, playing creatures with shroud or hexproof can also safeguard your board from targeted spells like Lightning Surge, keeping your valuable creatures in play and maintaining board control.

In essence, while tackling Lightning Surge head-on can be challenging, a combination of strategic counterplay, graveyard management, and protective measures can mitigate the card’s impact and keep you one step ahead in the game.

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Surge 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 Surge 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	It either deals 4 damage or 6 damage. It does not deal 10 damage.
2013-04-15	At the time this spell is resolving, it is on the stack and not in the graveyard. This means that you should not count this card when determining whether the Threshold effect occurs.