Lightning Bolt

Lightning Bolt is a red instant that counts as removal. It appears in the recommended lists of 173 commanders, and 11% of red decks run it.

Type: Instant

Cost: R

Color identity: Red

Reference price: €1.08

Oldest printing: Limited Edition Alpha

Role in the deck: removal

Rules text

Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to any target.

Official text (Scryfall).

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Commanders that play it

The commanders with the highest synergy with this card, with the share of their decks that run it. Each one links to its deck guide.

Commander	Identity	Inclusion	Synergy
Storm, Force of Nature	Green · Red · Blue	77%	+67%
Taii Wakeen, Perfect Shot	Red · White	67%	+56%
Thor, Asgard's Avenger	Red	90%	+54%
Obosh, the Preypiercer	Black · Red	71%	+53%
Tor Wauki the Younger	Black · Red	71%	+52%
Gandalf, Spark Starter	Red	88%	+51%
Breeches, Brazen Plunderer	Red	88%	+51%
Kuja, Genome Sorcerer // Trance Kuja, Fate Defied	Black · Red	69%	+51%
Imodane, the Pyrohammer	Red	84%	+48%
Firesong and Sunspeaker	Red · White	58%	+47%
Thor Odinson	Red · White	56%	+46%
Fire Lord Azula	Black · Red · Blue	56%	+45%
Stilt-Man, Towering Terror	Red	80%	+44%
Smaug the Impenetrable	Black · Red	61%	+42%
Lady Loki, Agent of Chaos	Red	78%	+42%
Lightning, Army of One	Red · White	52%	+42%
Thor, Guardian of Midgard	Red	78%	+42%
Stature, Young Avenger	Green · Red	50%	+42%
Black Waltz No. 3	Black · Red	58%	+40%
Urabrask // The Great Work	Red	75%	+39%
Rem Karolus, Stalwart Slayer	Red · White	49%	+39%
Feldon, Ronom Excavator	Red	75%	+39%
Niv-Mizzet, Visionary	Red · Blue	67%	+38%
Prismari, the Inspiration	Red · Blue	65%	+37%

How much it is played, by color identity

Share of decks in each identity that run it, according to EDHREC.

Archetypes where it shows up

The most common themes among the commanders that play it. Each one links to its archetype guide.

Burn · 105 Spellslinger · 96 Aggro · 81 Combo · 64 Storm · 50 Equipment · 34 Control · 31 Group Slug · 31

Known combos with Lightning Bolt

According to Commander Spellbook. Note that a two-card combo raises your deck's bracket.

Firemind's Foresight + Lightning Bolt + Reset + Reiterate → Infinite colored mana, Infinite damage, Infinite magecraft triggers
Tree of Perdition + Hidetsugu's Second Rite + Lightning Bolt → Infinite lifeloss for target opponent, Target opponent loses the game

Cards that go with it

The ones that show up most often in the same commanders' lists.

Frequently asked questions

Which Commander decks play Lightning Bolt?

It is in the recommended lists of 173 commanders, with an average inclusion of 48% in their decks. The commanders with the highest synergy with it are Storm, Force of Nature · Taii Wakeen, Perfect Shot · Thor, Asgard's Avenger. Overall, 11% of red decks run it.

How much does Lightning Bolt cost?

Its reference price is €1.08 (cheapest English printing according to Scryfall; it changes daily). The EDH Optimizer optimizer only suggests cards that fit the per-card price cap you pick.

Does Lightning Bolt have combos?

Yes: 2 known combos on Commander Spellbook. The most popular one is Firemind's Foresight + Lightning Bolt + Reset + Reiterate. Remember that two-card combos raise your deck's bracket.

Can I play Lightning Bolt in my deck?

It is legal in Commander. Its color identity is red, so it only fits in decks whose commander has those colors in its identity (or any deck if it is colorless). EDH Optimizer automatically flags cards outside your commander's identity.