Goblin Javelineer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities Haste
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage through cost-effective trades with more expensive creatures.
  2. Enhances resource acceleration, allowing for more flexible mana allocation.
  3. Activatable at instant speed for unexpected combat strategies.

Text of card

Haste Whenever Goblin Javelineer becomes blocked, it deals 1 damage to target creature blocking it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Javelineer provides a low-cost opportunity to deal with early threats, potentially paving the way for card advantage as it could trade with creatures more expensive in terms of mana cost.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting mana, the efficient cost of the Goblin Javelineer aids in resource acceleration by allowing a player to deploy more threats or hold mana for other plays, optimizing resource usage.

Instant Speed: The javelin ability of the Goblin Javelineer can be activated at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s plans during their turn or as an unexpected blocker.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Goblin Javelineer comes with the sacrifice of another card from your hand, which could set you back, especially if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Javelineer requires red mana, narrowing its inclusion to decks that can produce this color, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the impact of this creature on the game, its mana cost might seem steep. Efficient alternatives could perform on par or better for less, making the Javelineer a potential pass during deck construction.


Reasons to Include Goblin Javelineer in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Javelineer is a flexible card that can be easily incorporated into various deck builds, particularly those looking to add early board presence or bolster their goblin-based synergies.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a key piece in combos, particularly in decks that exploit goblins’ tendency to benefit from sacrificing mechanics or tribal buffs.

Meta-Relevance: With the right meta, where smaller creatures play a significant role, Goblin Javelineer can be a cost-effective way to gain an early advantage and pressure opponents right from the start.


How to beat

Goblin Javelineer presents an interesting dynamic on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This card poses a particular threat due to its notable ability that deals damage to target attacking or blocking creature. Overcoming this goblin often involves strategic removal. One tactic includes using instant-speed removal spells before it can leverage its ability during combat, such as with Shock or Fatal Push.

Alternatively, evasion techniques can prove effective. Employing creatures with flying or other forms of unblockable abilities circumvents the need to engage Goblin Javelineer in combat at all. This not only neutralizes its threat but also allows your powerful creatures to press an attack without the fear of an untimely javelin toss.

In summary, successfully navigating around the hurdles posed by Goblin Javelineer involves preemptive action and clever combat tactics. Removal spells can clear the way, while evasion abilities can outmaneuver the pesky goblin, ensuring it never becomes a thorn in your strategic side.


Cards like Goblin Javelineer

Goblin Javelineer finds its place among the myriad of red goblin creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It echoes characteristics seen in fellow goblins, such as the Goblin Arsonist, which also serves as a one-drop creature capable of delivering additional damage to a player or planeswalker when it dies. However, Goblin Javelineer is set apart with its javelin throwing ability, providing a guaranteed point of damage to a creature upon attacking, something the Arsonist cannot do.

Considering other similar options, there’s the Raging Goblin, an aggressive one-drop with haste, allowing for immediate impact on the game, which the Javelineer lacks. The trade-off comes with the Javelineer’s potential for board control with its damage-on-attack effect. Mogg Fanatic is another relative, offering a flexible sacrifice for damage mechanic, contrasting with the attack-triggered ability of the Javelineer, highlighting different strategic uses in combat scenarios.

In analyzing these comparable cards, Goblin Javelineer stands out for its unique contribution to the goblin archetype. It’s a creature that rewards players who adopt an offensive strategy, blending well with the playstyle that goblin decks are celebrated for in Magic: The Gathering.

Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Goblin Arsonist - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)
Mogg Fanatic - Tempest (TMP)

Cards similar to Goblin Javelineer by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akki Avalanchers - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions
Mogg Sentry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Gorilla Shaman - Alliances (ALL)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Orcish Conscripts - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Grim Lavamancer - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Skirk Prospector - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Crazed Goblin - Darksteel (DST)
Akki Avalanchers - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Mons's Goblin Waiters - Unhinged (UNH)
Mogg Sentry - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Javelineer MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Goblin Javelineer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Javelineer Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3182015normalblackJeff Dee
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1442015normalblackMike Jordana

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Javelineer has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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