Quick Answer

Lightning Helix is a uncommon Instant from 2X2 (2X2) costing {R}{W}. Current price: $0.22 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander. Legal in Standard.

Lightning Helix MTG card

Lightning Helix

Instant

Card Text

Lightning Helix deals 3 damage to any target and you gain 3 life.

"Rage is not the answer. Rage followed by fitting vengeance is the answer." —Ajani Goldmane

Card Stats

uncommon CMC: 2.0 2X2 2X2 🎨 Raymond Swanland

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.22
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.19
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.17
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.47
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Future Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pioneer Legal
Predh Legal
Standard Legal
Standardbrawl Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (20 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lightning Helix? Basics

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

Its ability reads: "Lightning Helix deals 3 damage to any target and you gain 3 life."

How much mana does Lightning Helix cost to cast? Basics

Lightning Helix has a mana cost of {R}{W}, which equals 2.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires R, W 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 Helix's mana cost of {R}{W} 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 Helix has a mana value of 2.0. 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 Helix's current oracle text is: "Lightning Helix deals 3 damage to any target and you gain 3 life."

What is the current price of Lightning Helix? Pricing

The current market price for Lightning Helix is approximately $0.22 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.19 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.17 EUR.

Where can I buy Lightning Helix? Pricing

You can purchase Lightning Helix 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 Helix normal: $0.22 | foil: $0.19

Is Lightning Helix legal in Standard? Legality

Lightning Helix is Legal in Standard format.

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

Is Lightning Helix legal in Modern? Legality

Lightning Helix is Legal in Modern format.

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

Is Lightning Helix legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Lightning Helix 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 Helix legal in Pioneer? Legality

Lightning Helix is Legal in Pioneer format.

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

Is Lightning Helix legal in Legacy? Legality

Lightning Helix is Legal in Legacy format.

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

Is Lightning Helix legal in Vintage? Legality

Lightning Helix 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 Helix legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Lightning Helix in Pauper is not available.

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 Helix from? Details

This printing of Lightning Helix is from 2X2 (2X2), with collector number 243.

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

What is Lightning Helix's rarity? Details

Lightning Helix is a uncommon card in 2X2.

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

Who illustrated Lightning Helix? Details

Lightning Helix was illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

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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