Chain Lightning
Sorcery
Chain Lightning deals 3 damage to any target. Then that player or that permanent's controller may pay . If the player does, they may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.
. If the player does, they may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.Illustrated by Christopher Moeller · Arena Anthology 3 (AA3)
Legalities
- Standard
- Not Legal
- Pioneer
- Not Legal
- Modern
- Not Legal
- Legacy
- Legal
- Vintage
- Legal
- Duel Commander
- Legal
- Pauper
- Legal
Printings
-
Arena Anthology 3
#12
common
2025-09-23
-
Secret Lair Drop
#2052
rare
2025-04-28
-
Secret Lair Drop
#2047
rare
2025-04-28
-
Mystery Booster 2
#55
common
2024-08-02
-
Dominaria Remastered
#316
common
2023-01-13
-
Dominaria Remastered
#113
common
2023-01-13
-
Secret Lair Drop
#370
rare
2021-10-22
-
Jumpstart
#302
uncommon
2020-07-17
-
Battlebond
#171
uncommon
2018-06-08
-
Amonkhet Invocations
#26
special
2017-04-28
-
Eternal Masters
#123
uncommon
2016-06-10
-
Vintage Masters
#153
common
2014-06-16
-
Premium Deck Series: Fire and Lightning
#16
common
2010-11-19
-
Magic Online Theme Decks
#B14
common
2010-11-08
-
Magic Online Theme Decks
#A55
common
2010-11-08
-
Masters Edition III
#90
common
2009-09-07
-
Legends
#137
common
1994-06-01
Rulings
-
As Chain Lightning resolves, either the original or one of the copies, the targeted player or the controller of the targeted permanent may copy it. The copy has the same text, target, and color as the resolving spell, though the player creating the copy may choose a new target for it. Once that copy is created (or not), the Chain Lightning finishes resolving and leaves the stack.
-
The player putting the copy of the spell on the stack controls that copy.
-
The copy of Chain Lightning is created on the stack, so it's not cast. Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won't trigger. Players may respond to that spell before it resolves.
-
If the targeted player or permanent is an illegal target as Chain Lightning tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve and none of its effects happen. It can't be copied.
Archetypes that play this card
Duel Commander
- Flamewar, Brash Veteran 100.0% of lists
- Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph 100.0% of lists
- Magda, Brazen Outlaw 100.0% of lists
Show 7 more Duel Commander archetypes
- Niv-Mizzet, Parun 100.0% of lists
- Ral, Monsoon Mage 100.0% of lists
- Toph, Greatest Earthbender 100.0% of lists
- Aerid Konstrari 80.0% of lists
- Aragorn, King of Gondor 60.0% of lists
- Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar 50.0% of lists
- Jace, Multiverse Architect 12.5% of lists
Legacy
- Burn 100.0% of lists
- Other 2.0% of lists
- Izzet Delver 1.3% of lists
Pauper
- Mono Red Rally 62.8% of lists
- Rakdos Madness 14.3% of lists
- Other 6.4% of lists