Chain Lightning
BBDBattlebond/#171/2018UncommonReprint
Colour IDMV 1
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.69
Cardmarket€0.57
ManaPool$0.18
TCGplayer$0.42
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.06
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.69High $1.29Low $0.59▲ 0.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.42TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 0.0%30d▲ 5.0%90d▲ 13.5%
90d high
$0.42
90d low
$0.34
Paper printings priced
12
Currently 6th
Cheapest paper printing
$0.32
Dominaria Remastered
- Up 5.0% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Trading at or near its 90 day high of $0.42.
- This printing is the 6th cheapest paper printing currently priced (12 priced in total).
- Foil copies of this printing carry a 345% premium over nonfoil.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (12 priced)
Gameplay and rules
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.
Card capabilities
Sorcery
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Rulings (4)
wotc8 Dec 2022
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.
wotc8 Dec 2022
The player putting the copy of the spell on the stack controls that copy.
wotc8 Dec 2022
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.
wotc8 Dec 2022
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.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
About this card
Chain Lightning
Chain Lightning is a Sorcery, with mana cost {R} (mana value 1). Printed 12 times across MTG sets.
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: not_legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.42 (up 5.0% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Chain Lightning FAQ
How much is Chain Lightning worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Chain Lightning is $0.42. It is up 5.0% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.34 to $0.42.
What is the cheapest printing of Chain Lightning?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Dominaria Remastered at $0.32 on TCGplayer.
What is the most expensive printing of Chain Lightning?
The most expensive currently priced paper printing is from Amonkhet Invocations at $28.55 on TCGplayer.
How many printings of Chain Lightning are there?
Chain Lightning has been printed 12 times in English paper sets that MTGPrices tracks.
What set was Chain Lightning first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from LEG #137, released 1994-06-01.
What is the newest printing of Chain Lightning?
The most recent English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from SLD #2047, released 2025-04-28.
Is there a foil version of Chain Lightning?
Yes. On this printing, foil copies trade at $1.87 versus $0.42 for nonfoil, which is 345% more expensive on TCGplayer.
Is Chain Lightning legal in Commander?
Yes, Chain Lightning is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.