Quick Answer

Riddle of Lightning is a common Instant from FUT (FUT) costing {3}{R}{R}. Current price: $0.07 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Riddle of Lightning MTG card

Riddle of Lightning

Instant

Card Text

Choose any target. Scry 3, then reveal the top card of your library. Riddle of Lightning deals damage equal to that card's mana value to that permanent or player.

Card Stats

common CMC: 5.0 FUT FUT 🎨 Daren Bader
Scry

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.07
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.25
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.05
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.42
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
Penny Legal
Pioneer Legal
Predh Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (4 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 Riddle of Lightning? Basics

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

Its ability reads: "Choose any target. Scry 3, then reveal the top card of your library. Riddle of Lightning deals damage equal to that card's mana value to that permanent or player."

How much mana does Riddle of Lightning cost to cast? Basics

Riddle of Lightning has a mana cost of {3}{R}{R}, which equals 5.0 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.

Riddle of Lightning's mana cost of {3}{R}{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.

Riddle of Lightning has a mana value of 5.0. 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.

Riddle of Lightning's current oracle text is: "Choose any target. Scry 3, then reveal the top card of your library. Riddle of Lightning deals damage equal to that card's mana value to that permanent or player."

What is the current price of Riddle of Lightning? Pricing

The current market price for Riddle of Lightning is approximately $0.07 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.25 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.05 EUR.

Where can I buy Riddle of Lightning? Pricing

You can purchase Riddle of Lightning 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.

Riddle of Lightning normal: $0.07 | foil: $0.25

Is Riddle of Lightning legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Riddle of Lightning in Standard is not available.

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

Is Riddle of Lightning legal in Modern? Legality

Riddle of Lightning is Legal in Modern format.

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

Is Riddle of Lightning legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Riddle of Lightning 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 Riddle of Lightning legal in Pioneer? Legality

Riddle of Lightning is Legal in Pioneer format.

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

Is Riddle of Lightning legal in Legacy? Legality

Riddle of Lightning is Legal in Legacy format.

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

Is Riddle of Lightning legal in Vintage? Legality

Riddle of Lightning 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 Riddle of Lightning legal in Pauper? Legality

Riddle of Lightning 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 Riddle of Lightning from? Details

This printing of Riddle of Lightning is from FUT (FUT), with collector number 105.

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

What is Riddle of Lightning's rarity? Details

Riddle of Lightning is a common card in FUT.

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

Who illustrated Riddle of Lightning? Details

Riddle of Lightning was illustrated by Daren Bader.

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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