Lightning Rift — ruling 1

You choose the target when Lightning Rift’s ability is put on the stack, but you choose whether to pay the mana as the ability resolves. Once you make that choice, no player may take actions until the damage is dealt and the ability has finished resolving.

Lightning Rift : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Lightning Rift 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

Whenever a player cycles a card, you may pay . If you do, this enchantment deals 2 damage to any target.

How it works : Lightning Rift

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1December 8, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
You choose the target when Lightning Rift’s ability is put on the stack, but you choose whether to pay the mana as the ability resolves. Once you make that choice, no player may take actions until the damage is dealt and the ability has finished resolving.
No other card is named in this ruling.