Lightning Talons MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 107
2013-07-19 - Number 144
2018-06-08 - Number 180
2019-11-07 - Number 1004
2020-09-26 - Number BBD-180
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +3/+0 and has first strike.
"This is going to hurt a lot, but on the bright side, you'll be dead soon." —Sedris, the Traitor King
Cards like Lightning Talons
Lightning Talons finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful aura that imbues creatures with a significant boost. It is akin to other equipment and auras like Fireshrieker or Madcap Skills, both of which are designed to amplify a creature’s combat capabilities. However, Lightning Talons carves out its uniqueness by providing a substantial +3 to power and also giving the enchanted creature first strike. This makes it a formidable choice, particularly in decks that emphasize combat superiority.
The comparison extends to Brute Force, which offers a temporary +3 power surge but lacks the staying power and first strike advantage Lightning Talons grant. On the other side, we have Enrage, which endows creatures with a static +2 power increase and adds the ability to provoke attacking creatures. Yet, it falls short in terms of the power boost provided by Lightning Talons.
Evaluating these alternatives highlights Lightning Talons as a solid contender in the arena of creature enhancement cards. Its mixture of a significant power boost and the key first strike ability frequently tips the scales in favor of the enchanted creature, making it an excellent tool in aggressive MTG strategies.
Cards similar to Lightning Talons by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Lightning Talons does not directly allow you to draw cards, it provides a significant power boost to your creature, often turning it into a formidable threat that must be dealt with. This can lead to a card advantage if it forces your opponent to use more resources to handle the enchanted creature.
Resource Acceleration: Lightning Talons is not a direct source of resource acceleration. However, by increasing a creature’s power substantially, the card can help you close games more quickly, effectively reducing the need for additional turns and resources to win.
Instant Speed: Lightning Talons is cast at sorcery speed, which requires a strategic approach when optimizing the timing of its use. The timing is crucial, as enhancing a creature with Lightning Talons can shift the momentum of the game in your favor if done at the right moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Lightning Talons does not require you to discard cards, its placement in your deck could potentially replace a card that offers card advantage or other utility, making it a tough inclusion for players looking to optimize every card slot.
Specific Mana Cost: Lightning Talons requires a red mana to cast. This mana specificity can sometimes be restrictive, as it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored or color-intensive decks where mana flexibility is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The enchantment comes at three mana, which is a significant investment for an aura that provides only a power boost and trample. Various other cards could provide a greater impact on the game for the same or lower mana cost, making Lightning Talons a less tempting choice for decks that need to manage their resources efficiently.
Reasons to Include Lightning Talons in Your Collection
Versatility: Lightning Talons can be slotted into numerous aggressive strategies, granting any creature a substantial power boost. This aura is particularly effective on creatures with evasion or those needing extra punch to close out games.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that allow for multiple attacks or tap/untap mechanics, Lightning Talons can significantly increase the damage output, creating lethal scenarios that can catch an opponent off guard.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board states can become stalled, the ability to turn any creature into a formidable threat makes Lightning Talons a relevant choice. It shines in metas where aggressive strategies are viable and the extra power can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
How to beat
Lightning Talons can be a powerful asset for creature-heavy strategies in Magic: The Gathering, offering a significant attack boost. This enchantment gives a creature +3/+0 and has the added ability of granting first strike, which can turn an ordinary creature into a formidable threat on the battlefield. To counter this card effectively, consider keeping removal spells handy, such as Murder or Naturalize, to deal with either the enchanted creature or the aura itself.
Alternatively, you can employ counterspells to prevent Lightning Talons from ever hitting the field. Essence Scatter or Negate are excellent choices to handle this enchantment threat directly from the stack. It’s also important to manage the creatures in play effectively. By utilizing cards like Pacifism or Frost Breath, you can neutralize the threat of an empowered creature without having to remove it or the aura.
Keeping a steady defense is also key. With cards that create tokens or offer repeatable blockers, such as Raise the Alarm or Fog Bank, you can establish a defense that helps withstand the increased damage from a Lightning Talons-boosted opponent. With strategic play and the right cards, overcoming the challenge posed by Lightning Talons is achievable.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lightning Talons MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Magic 2014, 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 Talons and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Talons Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 107 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 144 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 180 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1004 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | BBD-180 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Talons has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |