Lightning Spear MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 134
2021-08-26 - Number 484
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
Key Takeaways
- Offers indirect advantage by altering the board state even without direct card draw.
- Its low cost favors quick plays and aggressive strategies, enhancing early game tempo.
- Instant speed play gives strategic flexibility, allowing for surprise and pivotal responses.
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +1/+0 and has trample. , Sacrifice Lightning Spear: It deals 3 damage to any target. Equip
When wielded, it begs to be released.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lightning Spear, a versatile addition to your MTG arsenal, provides immediate impact upon hitting the field. Despite not offering direct card draw, the ability to remove an opponent’s creature can shift the balance, giving you a form of indirect card advantage by impacting board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This card stands out by supporting aggressive strategies with resource acceleration. Its low casting cost means deploying threats or utilizing mana for other strategies becomes more accessible, as it doesn’t demand a high mana investment, allowing for a smoother and faster buildup of your board presence.
Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Lightning Spear provides the strategic advantage of reaction play. With the capability to be cast at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action, it gives the flexibility and surprise factor that can be crucial in turning the tides of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lightning Spear necessitates a card discard upon activation, leading to possible disadvantage when your hand is already sparse.
Specific Mana Cost: This card calls for a precise mana arrangement, limiting its seamless integration to decks beyond those tailored for red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be deemed steep for the impact it delivers, players may find alternative cards that provide a bigger punch for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Lightning Spear in Your Collection
Versatility: Lightning Spear is a card that can be effectively included in a variety of decks. It’s an affordable artifact that can provide a boost to creature strategies, offering both a power increase and a way to deal direct damage.
Combo Potential: This card can work well with decks that capitalize on artifact synergy or those that benefit from dealing non-combat damage. It can also be key in unlocking certain combos, particularly in red or artifact-centric decks that thrive on aggressive play.
Meta-Relevance: With decks that focus on quick, aggressive tactics often making their presence felt in the current meta, Lightning Spear’s low mana cost and immediate impact can make it a critical addition to your arsenal, keeping your deck competitive against a wide range of opponents.
How to beat
The Lightning Spear card presents itself as a straightforward damage dealer in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It resembles other direct damage spells, yet it carries its own unique set of strengths. With the ability to deal three damage to any target at a low cost, Lightning Spear becomes a flexible choice for many aggressive decks.
To outplay an opponent utilizing Lightning Spear, consider incorporating spells that can counter it directly, like Negate, which has the capability to neutralize noncreature spells efficiently. Additionally, creatures with hexproof or protection from red can serve as a reliable line of defense, obstructing the Lightning Spear’s path to your valuable creatures or your life total. The key lies in anticipating the Spear and pre-emptively shielding your assets from its burst damage potential.
In summary, while the Lightning Spear might strike fast and hard, strategic planning and a careful selection of defensive measures can turn the tide of battle in your favor, neutralizing this threat and securing your position on the battlefield. This showcases the delicate balance of power and protection that exists within Magic: The Gathering’s complex playing environment.
Cards like Lightning Spear
Lightning Spear is a notable entry in the suite of red damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its resemblance to cards like Shock is quite clear, as both allow players to deal a quick 2 damage to any target. Lightning Spear stands out, though, with an added benefit of equipment perks—granting equipped creature bonuses on the battlefield. Unlike Shock, which is a simple, instantaneous effect, Lightning Spear continues to influence the game as long as it’s equipped.
Comparing it further, we see the likes of Lightning Bolt, revered for its efficiency in delivering 3 damage for one mana. While Lightning Bolt offers more immediate impact, Lightning Spear provides an ongoing threat that can deter opponents over multiple turns. Mage-Ring Bully has a similar dynamic as an aggressive creature that incentivizes attacking. However, it doesn’t have the flexibility of targeting as Lightning Spear does, nor does it offer the potential power increase and first strike advantage for creatures that Lightning Spear can bestow.
Ultimately, Lightning Spear finds its place in MTG decks looking for both repeated damage output and a tool to enhance creature combat capabilities. It might not have the raw power of Lightning Bolt or the straightforward nature of Shock, but its dual utility can be a game-changer in the right context.
Cards similar to Lightning Spear by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lightning Spear MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Spear and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Spear Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 134 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 484 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lightning Spear has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
