Lightning Bolt is one of the defining cards of Modern, setting the benchmark for one-mana removal and reach. It appears in Burn, Izzet Prowess, midrange shells and many red-based tempo decks thanks to its efficiency. Three damage for a single mana lets it remove early threats, pressure planeswalkers and finish off opponents. Despite power creep, Bolt remains a staple that shapes how other one-mana spells are evaluated in the format.