Riddle of Lightning MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 105
2014-05-02 - Number 107
2020-07-17 - Number 359
2021-03-19 - Number 183
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Scry |
Key Takeaways
- Provides deck intelligence and removal ability in a single instant-speed spell.
- The five mana requirement poses a deck-building challenge to some players.
- Flexibility and combo potential make it a worthy collection inclusion.
Text of card
Choose target creature or player. Scry 3, then reveal the top card of your library. Riddle of Lightning deals damage equal to that card's converted mana cost to that creature or player. (To scry 3, look at the top three cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Riddle of Lightning offers a strategic edge by revealing the top card of your library, potentially clearing the way for a high-damage strike to a creature or player while also providing valuable deck information to plan future moves.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of resource acceleration, the card’s capacity to potentially eliminate threats paves the way for your other spells and creatures to advance your board state more efficiently.
Instant Speed: Riddle of Lightning’s instant-speed flexibility allows players to adapt to the evolving game, casting it during an opponent’s turn to maximize impact on the game state and maintain the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in the treacherous twist of fate that is Riddle of Lightning requires revealing a card from your hand, potentially unveiling your strategy to the opposition.
Specific Mana Cost: A spell that demands not just any mana but a precise blend including two red and three generic, Riddle of Lightning calls for a dedicated source, potentially limiting its adoption to decks heavily invested in red.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that rises to five, this spell’s cost eclipses the threshold for more streamlined removal options, posing a conundrum for players seeking to optimize their mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Riddle of Lightning boasts flexibility in decks that thrive on spells with instant speed, aligning with those that aim to control the game pace or desire to surprise opponents with instant damage.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks that manipulate the top card of the library for amplified effects, or in concert with cards that value spell damage, turning it into a multifaceted tool.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where larger creatures dominate, Riddle of Lightning can serve as an effective removal option, while also providing the benefit of card scrying to adjust your next moves.
How to beat
Riddle of Lightning is a spell that brings a mix of chance and strategy to the gameplay in Magic: The Gathering. An instant card that allows players to reveal the top card of their library and deal damage equivalent to that card’s mana value to any target has a significant impact on the field. What sets it apart is its synergy with high mana value cards, increasing potential damage output.
To effectively counteract this card, consider adding instant-speed removal or counterspells such as Negate or Dispel to your deck, which can be used to directly disrupt the spell before it takes effect. Moreover, utilizing deck manipulation spells like Brainstorm or scrying cards can be essential to ensure Riddle of Lightning does not yield high damage. Deck-building that minimizes high mana value cards can also reduce Riddle of Lightning’s impact, making your deck less susceptible to being a victim of its full potential.
Ultimately, while Riddle of Lightning can swing the game, a well-prepared arsenal of counters and strategic play can ensure that the riddles it poses can be solved, keeping your deck one step ahead in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards like Riddle of Lightning
Riddle of Lightning stands out in the arena of instant-speed damage spells in MTG. It draws parallels to the card Thunderous Wrath, which can also blaze through with a substantial amount of damage. The striking difference lies in Riddle of Lightning’s scry feature, enabling you to peek at the top cards of your library, potentially leading to a high-impact damage outcome. Unlike Thunderous Wrath, which has a set damage number but can surprise an opponent with its Miracle cost.
Another card often weighed against Riddle of Lightning is Volcanic Geyser. This spell offers the flexibility of choosing how much damage to deal, albeit at a higher mana cost without the foretelling benefit of a scry. While Riddle of Lightning has a fixed cost and damage potential governed by the luck of the draw, Volcanic Geyser grants you control over both the target and damage scale at any point in the game.
Analyzing their strategic benefits, it’s clear that Riddle of Lightning provides a mix of unpredictability and potential for high damage, setting a unique stage in any game where surprise and the ability to peek into the future might turn the tides in dramatic fashion.
Cards similar to Riddle of Lightning by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Riddle of Lightning MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Journey into Nyx, 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 Riddle of Lightning 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 Magic products
Printings
The Riddle of Lightning Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 105 | 2003 | normal | black | Daren Bader | |
| 2 | 2014-05-02 | Journey into Nyx | JOU | 107 | 2003 | normal | black | Daarken | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 359 | 2015 | normal | black | Daarken | |
| 4 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 183 | 2015 | normal | black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Riddle of Lightning has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Riddle of Lightning card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | If a card in a player's library has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0. |
| 2021-03-19 | If the chosen target is an illegal target by the time Riddle of Lightning tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve. You don't scry 3 or reveal any card. |
