Chain Lightning vs. Lightning Bolt

[(nameless one)]

Alright, I know its a no brainer that Chain Lightning is more expensive than Lightning Bolt because Chain Lightning saw less print runs compared to Lightning Bolt.

However, why exactly Chain Lightning better than Lightning Bolt (supposed to be)? For some reason, it is more prefered by Zoo/Sligh players (although Sligh players run both).

Here are my comparisons:

Both burn for 3.
Lightning Bolt is instant while Chain Lightning is a sorcery.
Chain Lightning actually gives your opponent a chance to copy it if he/she has .

Can anyone tell me what I am missing?

Thanks and feel free to call me a noob.

[TheBirdMan]

Chain makes goyf bigger since its the only sorcery zoo runs.

[Piceli89]

In fact Chain Lightning is not better than Lightning Bolt, for the reasons you told. The only thin I can see is that Chain Lightning gives +1 for the Sorcery to Goyf in TarmoSligh, but that's the only thing.

About the price: CL is Legend.

[KillemallCFH]

What? Where are you getting the idea that people prefer Chain to Bolt? Bolt is always a 4-of in any Zoo/Sligh list. Chains are just additional burn spells that are usually run since it's the second best 1-mana burn spell.

[mchainmail]

From what I've seen all Zoo decks run 4 Lightning Bolt, and anywhere from 0-4 Chain Lightning.

Lightning Helix and Chain Lightning tend to compete for the "second-best burn spell" position.

EDIT: Holy Ninja, Batman!

[umbowta]

From what I've seen all Zoo decks run 4 Lightning Bolt, and anywhere from 0-4 Chain Lightning.

Lightning Helix and Chain Lightning tend to compete for the "second-best burn spell" position.

EDIT: Holy Ninja, Batman!

Is there really a question between Chain and Helix for the #2 spot? I'm quite confident that Chain gets the nod. The fact that Helix is an instant and gains one 3 life does not make up for it being more than double the mana requirement.

Clearly, Lightning bolt is the cream of the crop.

[(nameless one)]

So Tarmogoyf is the reason why Chain Lightning is chosen over Lightning Bolt on Zoo and Sligh builds. Although Chain Lightning isn't necessarily better than Lightning Bolt.

Thank you very much guys!

[FoulQ]

So Tarmogoyf is the reason why Chain Lightning is chosen over Lightning Bolt on Zoo and Sligh builds. Although Chain Lightning isn't necessarily better than Lightning Bolt.

Thank you very much guys!

...Except that chain lightning is never chosen over lightning bolt in zoo/sligh. And chain lightning is definitely worse than lightning bolt. You have it very backwards.

[Di]

Ridiculous. Question answered, moving on.