Chain Lightning
Chain Lightning Price Summary
As of Aug 9, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Chain Lightning is $0.25 (MB2 #55), and the most expensive is $26.92 (MP2 #26, Borderless, Foil). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $0.25, up 13.6% over 7 days, down 89.6% over 30 days, down 13.8% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $2.42 (2026).
Chain Lightning Printings & Prices
Chain Lightning has 12 tracked printings across 9 sets, in nonfoil, foil and raised foil finishes, including borderless and alt art treatments.
Sell Chain Lightning: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $19.00 cash for MP2 #26 (Foil); the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 37% (normal).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Kingdom | MP2 #26 | Foil | $19.00 | $29.99 | 37% |
| CoolStuffInc | MP2 #26 | Foil | $13.00 | — | — |
| CoolStuffInc | SLD #370 | Foil | $11.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | SLD #370 | Foil | $10.50 | $20.99 | 50% |
| Card Kingdom | SLD #370 | Nonfoil | $8.00 | $19.99 | 60% |
| Card Kingdom | LEG #137 | Nonfoil | $7.50 | $14.99 | 50% |
| starcitygames | LEG #137 | Nonfoil | $6.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | SLD #2052 | Raised Foil | $3.10 | $7.49 | 59% |
| CoolStuffInc | SLD #2047 | Nonfoil | $2.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | SLD #2047 | Foil | $1.80 | $4.49 | 60% |
Chain Lightning Rules Text & Legality
Chain Lightning deals 3 damage to any target. Then that player or that permanent's controller may pay {R}{R}. If the player does, they may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.
Chain Lightning is legal in Legacy, Commander and Pauper, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer and Modern.
Chain Lightning Rulings
- Dec 8, 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.
- Dec 8, 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.
- Dec 8, 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.
- Dec 8, 2022 The player putting the copy of the spell on the stack controls that copy.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Chain Lightning has been reprinted 18 times.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB2 #55 | 2024-08-02 | Common | Standard | $0.79 |
| DMR #113 | 2023-01-13 | Common | Standard | — |
| DMR #113 | 2023-01-13 | Common | Standard | — |
| DMR #316 | 2023-01-13 | Common | Alt Art | — |
| DMR #316 | 2023-01-13 | Common | Alt Art | — |
| SLD #370 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #370 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #2052 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #2047 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #2047 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
MB2 #55 
DMR #113 
SLD #370 Showing the 10 most recent of 18 printings.
Chain Lightning in Commander
Chain Lightning is the #6,488 most-played card on EDHREC, up 58 places over the last 30 days.
Chain Lightning FAQ
How much is Chain Lightning worth?
Chain Lightning is worth about $0.25 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 9, 2026. Prices range from $0.25 to $26.92 across 12 tracked printings.
Is Chain Lightning legal in Commander?
Yes — Chain Lightning is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Legacy and Pauper.
Has Chain Lightning been reprinted?
Yes — Chain Lightning has been reprinted 18 times, with 12 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Chain Lightning cheap?
Chain Lightning trades at about $0.25 — 18 reprints keep supply plentiful, and Commander demand is modest (#6,488 on EDHREC).