Chain Lightning
Legends 137 • common
- Set
- Legends
- Collector number
- 137
- Rarity
- Common
- Mana cost
- red mana
- Type
- Sorcery
- Colors
- Red
- Artist
- Sandra Everingham
- Market price
- $10.84
What it does
Chain Lightning deals 3 damage to any target. Then that player or that permanent's controller may pay red mana red mana. If the player does, they may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernNot legal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperLegal
- BrawlLegal
- HistoricLegal
- TimelessLegal
- Penny DreadfulNot legal
- OathbreakerLegal
Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Chain Lightning was released in 1994 as part of the Legends expansion for Magic: The Gathering. This set was notable for being the first expansion to feature multi-colored cards and focused on introducing complex mechanics and powerful spells that could impact the game state significantly. The card was designed to be a high-efficiency red burn spell, providing a unique 'rebound' mechanic where the opponent could pay two mana to copy the effect and redirect the damage back to the original caster, adding a layer of strategic risk to its use.
The artwork for the card was created by fantasy illustrator Christopher Rush, one of the most iconic figures in the early development of Magic: The Gathering. Rush employed a visceral, high-contrast style intended to emphasize the raw, chaotic nature of the elemental spell. Upon its release, the card became a staple in aggressive red decks due to its mana efficiency, and it remains a sought-after piece of history for collectors interested in the foundational mechanics and aesthetic evolution of the game.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
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About Chain Lightning
Chain Lightning is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Legends 137 • common. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
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