Quick Answer

Lightning Strike is a common Instant from THS (THS) costing {1}{R}. Current price: $0.11 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander. Legal in Standard.

Lightning Strike MTG card

Lightning Strike

Instant

Card Text

Lightning Strike deals 3 damage to any target.

"The hand of Keranos can be seen in every rumbling storm cloud. Best not to stand where he points." —Rakleia of Shrine Peak

Card Stats

common CMC: 2.0 THS THS 🎨 Adam Paquette

What kind of card is this?

Use these role hubs to find similar staples, upgrades, and answers.

Roles are still being computed for this card.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.11
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$1.30
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$1.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.12
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€1.22
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

Alchemy Legal
Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Future Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Pioneer Legal
Standard Legal
Standardbrawl Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (12 total)

Community Stats

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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lightning Strike? Basics

Lightning Strike is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Lightning Strike deals 3 damage to any target."

How much mana does Lightning Strike cost to cast? Basics

Lightning Strike has a mana cost of {1}{R}, which equals 2.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires R mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Lightning Strike's mana cost of {1}{R} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Lightning Strike has a mana value of 2.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Lightning Strike's current oracle text is: "Lightning Strike deals 3 damage to any target."

What is the current price of Lightning Strike? Pricing

The current market price for Lightning Strike is approximately $0.11 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $1.3 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.12 EUR.

Where can I buy Lightning Strike? Pricing

You can purchase Lightning Strike from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Lightning Strike normal: $0.11 | foil: $1.3

Is Lightning Strike legal in Standard? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Standard format.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Lightning Strike legal in Modern? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Lightning Strike legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Lightning Strike legal in Pioneer? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Lightning Strike legal in Legacy? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Lightning Strike legal in Vintage? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Lightning Strike legal in Pauper? Legality

Lightning Strike is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Lightning Strike from? Details

This printing of Lightning Strike is from THS (THS), with collector number 127.

Lightning Strike may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Lightning Strike's rarity? Details

Lightning Strike is a common card in THS.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Lightning Strike? Details

Lightning Strike was illustrated by Adam Paquette.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

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