Radiating Lightning MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 138
2018-07-13 - Number 313
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Radiating Lightning deals 3 damage to target player and 1 damage to each creature that player controls.
As the Cabal legions pushed into Shiv, they learned not to stand so close together.
Cards like Radiating Lightning
Radiating Lightning stands out in the realm of direct damage spells in MTG. Its closest counterpart could be the card Pyroclasm, which also deals damage to each creature. Radiating Lightning, however, delivers a niche advantage – it also targets one of your opponent’s planeswalkers or can ping the opponent themselves. Pyroclasm is limited to creatures only, potentially missing key opposing threats on the board.
When examining Electrickery, a card that can either deal one damage to a creature of your choice or one damage to each creature your opponents control, we appreciate the versatility it offers. Although it doesn’t hit opposing planeswalkers or players like Radiating Lightning, it can be more cost-efficient in a deck focused on controlling creature-heavy strategies. Conversely, Arc Lightning is another spell with a similar distribution of damage, slightly customizable for targeting creatures or players, but it cannot spread the damage across as many targets as Radiating Lightning would.
Therefore, Radiating Lightning holds its ground with its ability to affect multiple facets of the game, from creatures and players to planeswalkers, making it a flexible option for players seeking wide-reaching board impact in MTG games.
Cards similar to Radiating Lightning by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Radiating Lightning doesn’t provide direct card draw, it does offer strategic advantage by affecting multiple targets. This can help you manage the board and maintain tempo against decks with numerous smaller creatures.
Resource Acceleration: Radiating Lightning is powerful in the right context, providing an immediate impact on the board. Though it doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it can indirectly do so by clearing out opponents’ creatures and paving the way for your attacks.
Instant Speed: As a spell that can be played on your opponent’s turn, Radiating Lightning gives you flexibility. This adaptability allows you to make decisions based on the state of the game, reacting to threats as they arise and optimizing the timing of your plays for maximum effect.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Radiating Lightning does not require you to discard a card, thus providing no inherent disadvantage in terms of hand depletion.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires three generic and one red mana to cast, demanding a commitment to red mana sources in your deck and potentially restricting its inclusion in multi-color or colorless strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana for a damage spell, Radiating Lightning’s investment might be considered steep when evaluated against other burn spells in MTG that could deliver more impactful effects or targeted removal for the same or less mana.
Reasons to Include Radiating Lightning in Your Collection
Versatility: Radiating Lightning offers a flexible solution to players seeking a way to deal damage to multiple targets. This card is suitable for decks focused on controlling the board and can complement strategies that aim to whittle down an opponent’s life total while keeping creature threats at bay.
Combo Potential: Not only does the card damage your opponent, it also affects each creature they control, setting up effective combos with cards that capitalize on non-targeted damage or benefit from the reduction of enemy creatures’ toughness.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creature-based strategies are prevalent, Radiating Lightning serves as a crucial sideboard answer. It can disrupt the momentum of swarming strategies, providing a valuable edge in those matchups.
How to beat
Radiating Lightning is noteworthy for its ability to target both an opponent and their battlefield minions in a single strike. It’s especially potent in scenarios where small, pesky creatures swarm the field. To effectively navigate against this spell, one should consider the timing of creature plays. Holding back creatures until after Radiating Lightning has been played can mitigate potential damage.
Next, deploying creatures with toughness greater than three can provide a solid defense. Such creatures withstand Radiating Lightning’s blast, ensuring your field presence remains unaffected. Additionally, employing instant-speed spells or abilities that can increase your creatures’ toughness during your opponent’s turn can catch them off-guard, turning a potentially devasting play into a mere inconvenience.
A strategic approach often involves baiting out your opponent’s Radiating Lightning. By presenting a threatening but expendable creature, you can coax them into using their spell prematurely, conserving your more valuable creatures for a later stage in the match. Enabling yourself to recover and maintain a strong board will tilt the scales in your favor, diminishing the impact of Radiating Lightning on your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Radiating Lightning MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Core Set 2019, 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 Radiating Lightning and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Radiating Lightning Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-07-13. Illustrated by Suzanne Helmigh.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Suzanne Helmigh | |
| 2 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 313 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Suzanne Helmigh |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Radiating Lightning has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Radiating Lightning card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | Radiating Lightning targets only the player. Creatures that player controls with hexproof will be dealt damage. |