The 1994 Magic: The Gathering card Ball Lightning from The Dark set. This Rare Elemental card features unique game mechanics and iconic design.
Ball Lightning
1994 • Magic: The Gathering • The Dark
No Listings Available
No listings available right now.
Market & Price History
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$51.15 | Guide Estimate | +2.9% | ||
- $51.15
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- +2.9%
- Price Details
30-day Price History
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Sep 22, 2026
Description
Ball Lightning is a distinct creature card from the 1994 Magic: The Gathering expansion known as The Dark. Identified as card number 57 in the set, this Rare Elemental was illustrated by Quinton Hoover and carries a mana cost of three red mana. As a Creature — Elemental, it enters the battlefield with a formidable power and toughness of 6 over 1, making it a significant threat to opponents. The card’s design and gameplay mechanics define its place in the Magic: The Gathering universe. It possesses the ability to deal excess combat damage to players or planeswalkers it attacks. Additionally, it can attack and tap as soon as it comes under your control, allowing for immediate impact on the battlefield. However, this power comes with a strict limitation: at the beginning of the end step, the creature must be sacrificed. This trade-off creates a dynamic playstyle where players must weigh the immediate aggression against the card's temporary nature. Collectors and players alike appreciate Ball Lightning for its strategic depth and historical significance within the game. Whether you are building a vintage collection or seeking cards with unique mechanical interactions, Ball Lightning offers a compelling piece of Magic: The Gathering history. Its enduring appeal lies in the balance of high power and inherent risk, a hallmark of well-designed cards in the trading card game. By focusing on the catalog identity and historical context, collectors can better understand the value and significance of each piece in their collection. This card remains a notable entry for those interested in the evolution of game design and the artistic contributions of the 1990s.
Have one of these to sell?
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Ball Lightning
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Quinton Hoover
Card Stock
English
{R}{R}{R}
Creature — Elemental
6 / 1
R
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) Haste (This creature can attack and {T} as soon as it comes under your control.) At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice this creature.










