@fyerbug: No, you're missing the second part of that clause: "Exile it at end of turn or if it would leave play."
You can, however, use a flicker-type effect on it.
@Chaosfire: Yes you can. There is a ruling about this. ON THIS CARD.
Posted By:
littlebeast
(2/1/2011 5:04:33 PM)
If you unearth this, then cast Flicker on it, Flicker will go on the stack, targeting Hell's Thunder. Unless something counters Flicker, it will resolve, removing Hell's Thunder from the game. Then, Hell's Thunder's ability triggers (because it was removed from play), to exile it. Then Flicker returns Hell's Thunder to play. However, Hell's Thunder can't remove itself again, because the Hell's Thunder on the battlefield is a new/different permanent. Makes sense to me.
@ChaosFire
littlebeast is right, there is a ruling on this card (and also a similar one on Flicker) that describes in 'official' terms what I just wrote above. Same concept, different words.
Posted By:
igniteice
(3/30/2011 3:19:08 PM)
Phasing this out (say, with Teferi's Veil) is another way to avoid the sac and exile triggers.
And lol at the reminder text saying that Hell's Thunder gains haste when unearthed, as it already has haste.
Posted By:
A3Kitsune
(6/13/2011 10:27:18 PM)
This thing needs trample... beside that its a nice 4 damage unearthable or a big knock out on a foe's creature.
Posted By:
WER386
(12/10/2009 2:33:29 AM)
It's not so much a creature as it is a burn spell; a cheaper toned-down lava axe with flashback. 4 damage early to the face, and then 4 damage later on when your hand's empty. Great card
Posted By:
zk3
(8/1/2010 10:03:49 PM)
@keeds4: Unsummon will do nothing for Unearthed creatures because being returned to your hand counts as the creature leaving the battlefield, in which case the exile effect would activate on top of the stack and resolve first.
Posted By:
Keiya
(12/29/2010 8:24:26 AM)
Remarkable card. Its good in almost every kind of aggro deck that there is. Played with cards like Bloodbraid Elf or Primal Forcemage the thunder can be absolutely devestaing.
Posted By:
SavageBrain89
(5/29/2009 2:31:31 PM)
interesting trade offs between Ball Lightning. Its understandable that it doesn't have trample with only power 4. Even though the toughness is not really useful, it does prevent a lot of instants that could kill a Ball Lightning like Lightning Bolt, and it also helps prevent many creatures with first strike from destroying it. 4.5/5.
Posted By:
StriderHiryu
(12/29/2009 10:06:58 AM)
No. Unearth makes sure that if it would leave play to somewhere other than the removed-from-game zone, it goes to the removed-from-game zone instead. You can, however, cast Turn to Mist or Momentary Blink on it to avoid the permanent Unearth removal effect.
Posted By:
Claov
(11/17/2008 3:43:25 AM)
4 flying damage on turn three can really knock some people back. Great card.
Posted By:
thezanet
(2/8/2010 5:29:25 PM)