Chain Lightning
Current paper retail
No paper retail prices.
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.04 tix
This printing
SetVMA
Collector #153
Released2014-06-16
Raritycommon
ArtistChristopher Moeller
LanguageEN
Layoutnormal
AttributesReprint
ScryfallOpen ↗

Chain Lightning

CommonColour IDMV 1
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
Other printings
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.