Arc Lightning is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Arc Lightning deals 3 damage divided as you choose among one, two, or three targets.
Complete guide
Arc Lightning is a classic red sorcery that offers tactical flexibility by splitting its impact across the battlefield. Whether you need to pick off a single threat or clear away several small creatures, this spell provides the versatility red mages love.
Dividing the Damage
When you cast Arc Lightning, you must immediately decide how many targets you are selecting—one, two, or three—and exactly how the 3 damage is divided. The most important restriction is that every target you choose must be assigned at least 1 damage. You cannot choose a target and assign it 0 damage just to trigger an ability.
Resolving with Multiple Targets
If you have selected multiple targets and one of them becomes illegal before the spell resolves (for example, it gains Hexproof or leaves the battlefield), the damage division remains locked as originally chosen. The damage that would have been dealt to the illegal target is simply lost; it does not get 're-assigned' to the remaining legal targets. However, if all chosen targets become illegal, the entire spell is removed from the stack and does nothing.
Strategic Timing
As a sorcery, Arc Lightning is best used during your main phase to eliminate utility creatures or 'mana dorks' that your opponent relies on. Because it can target players as well, it can also be used to finish off an opponent with low life or a planeswalker with low loyalty while still handling a small threat on the board.
Interaction examples
If your opponent has three creatures with 1 toughness each, you can cast Arc Lightning and choose all three as targets, assigning 1 damage to each to clear their entire side of the field for just three mana.
Wheel of FortuneYou can use Arc Lightning to remove blockers that might prevent you from attacking, then follow up with Wheel of Fortune to refill your hand after spending your resources on removal.
Jeska's WillIf you are short on mana, you might use Jeska's Will first to add red mana based on an opponent's hand size. Use that mana to cast Arc Lightning, choosing to deal all 3 damage to that same opponent to pressure their life total directly.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Arc Lightning
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You choose how many targets Arc Lightning has and how the damage is divided as you cast the spell. Each target must receive at least 1 damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If some of the creatures are illegal targets as Arc Lightning tries to resolve, the original division of damage still applies but no damage is dealt to the illegal targets. If all targets are illegal, Arc Lightning doesn’t resolve.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Arc Lightning
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.