Quick Answer

Lightning Axe is a common Instant from 2XM (2XM) costing {R}. Current price: $0.14 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Lightning Axe MTG card

Lightning Axe

Instant

Card Text

As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card or pay {5}. Lightning Axe deals 5 damage to target creature.

"A gargoyle's meat can be carved with an ordinary cleaver, but for its petrous hide . . ." —Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar, *The Underworld Cookbook*

Card Stats

common CMC: 1.0 2XM 2XM 🎨 Dan Murayama Scott

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.14
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.24
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.11
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.33
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Pioneer Legal
Predh Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (10 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lightning Axe? Basics

Lightning Axe is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card or pay {5}. Lightning Axe deals 5 damage to target creature."

How much mana does Lightning Axe cost to cast? Basics

Lightning Axe has a mana cost of {R}, which equals 1.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires R mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Lightning Axe's mana cost of {R} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Lightning Axe has a mana value of 1.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Lightning Axe's current oracle text is: "As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card or pay {5}. Lightning Axe deals 5 damage to target creature."

What is the current price of Lightning Axe? Pricing

The current market price for Lightning Axe is approximately $0.14 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.24 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.11 EUR.

Where can I buy Lightning Axe? Pricing

You can purchase Lightning Axe from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Lightning Axe normal: $0.14 | foil: $0.24

Is Lightning Axe legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Lightning Axe in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Lightning Axe legal in Modern? Legality

Lightning Axe is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Lightning Axe legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Lightning Axe is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Lightning Axe legal in Pioneer? Legality

Lightning Axe is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Lightning Axe legal in Legacy? Legality

Lightning Axe is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Lightning Axe legal in Vintage? Legality

Lightning Axe is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Lightning Axe legal in Pauper? Legality

Lightning Axe is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Lightning Axe from? Details

This printing of Lightning Axe is from 2XM (2XM), with collector number 135.

Lightning Axe may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Lightning Axe's rarity? Details

Lightning Axe is a common card in 2XM.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Lightning Axe? Details

Lightning Axe was illustrated by Dan Murayama Scott.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

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