Swarming Goblins MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 162 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Andrew Mar |
Key Takeaways
- The card can dramatically increase your goblin count, potentially tipping the battlefield balance in your favor.
- Swarming Goblins synergizes with other goblins, boosting resource development and combo plays in tribal decks.
- Its five mana cost is steep; however, the token generation and synergistic value can justify the investment.
Text of card
When Swarming Goblins enters the battlefield, roll a d20. 1—9 | Create a 1/1 red Goblin creature token. 10—19 | Create two of those tokens. 20 | Create three of those tokens.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Swarming Goblins, when they enter the battlefield, provide a rolling die mechanic that can result in summoning multiple goblin tokens. This effectively populates your side of the board and can quickly give you an edge over your opponent by outnumbering them, potentially increasing your card advantage significantly.
Resource Acceleration: As part of a tribal deck, Swarming Goblins work synergistically with other goblin cards to leverage tribal bonuses and accelerate your resource development. The goblin tokens can also act as fodder for sacrifice mechanics, which are common in red or black/red goblin decks, enhancing your ability to utilize cards or abilities with an additional cost.
Instant Speed: Though Swarming Goblins itself is not an instant, many goblin-themed decks include instant speed spells that can complement the arrival of Swarming Goblins on the battlefield. These instant speed interactions can serve as a force multiplier, making your swarm of goblin tokens even more threatening by providing buffs or enabling surprise combat tricks that can sway the course of a game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Swarming Goblins demands a die roll coupled with the potential to discard cards, which can deplete your hand if the outcomes aren’t favorable.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost is restricted to red mana, necessitating a strong commitment to that color, hence it may not fit seamlessly into every strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing five mana, this card falls on the expensive side which might deter players when lower-cost creatures could be played for similar board impact.
Reasons to Include Swarming Goblins in Your Collection
Versatility: Swarming Goblins offers a unique advantage by adding multiple creature tokens to your battlefield, making it a valuable card for decks focused on building a sizable army quickly. Its adaptability in aggressive and token-centric decks is unmatched.
Combo Potential: This card is capable of working in tandem with various strategies that capitalize on having numerous creatures. Whether it’s powering up spells that count creatures you control or activating synergies with other goblin-type cards, its potential to create combos is expansive.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where board presence can be critical, Swarming Goblins can be especially relevant. It helps solidify your position by putting several bodies on the field that can be used for offense or defense, adapting to the ebb and flow of the competitive landscape.
How to beat
Swarming Goblins is a card that can quickly overwhelm opponents in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to create multiple Goblin tokens. When facing this swarm strategy, key counters include sweepers like “Blasphemous Act” or “Shatter the Sky” which can clear multiple creatures at once. It’s also effective to disrupt their momentum with spot removal such as “Fatal Push” or “Path to Exile” to handle key goblins before they can generate tokens.
Control elements play a vital role too. Utilizing counter spells like “Counterspell” or “Dovin’s Veto” can prevent Swarming Goblins from ever hitting the battlefield. Moreover, repeatedly attacking an opponent’s hand with cards like “Thoughtseize” can remove Swarming Goblins before they’re played, ensuring your opponent never gains the advantage of a full board.
While Swarming Goblins can be a formidable force, understanding and anticipating this strategy allows players to prepare their decks accordingly. Strategic timing and choice of spells are crucial to ensure that this card does not get the chance to tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Cards like Swarming Goblins
Swarming Goblins stands out among the creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with its noteworthy ability to flood the battlefield. It draws a close parallel with Goblin Instigator and Dragon Fodder, both of which are renowned for creating additional Goblin tokens upon entering the battlefield. The key difference, however, lies in Swarming Goblins’ versatility gained from its dice-rolling mechanic which can potentially summon a greater number of Goblins, albeit at a higher mana cost.
Tapping into the same token generation theme, Krenko, Mob Boss is a legendary figure that can not only generate a horde of Goblins but also multiply them exponentially with its tapping ability. Nevertheless, Krenko requires a setup to fully exploit its potential, unlike the more direct approach of Swarming Goblins. Mogg War Marshal also enters the fray, offering a lower mana cost alternative to produce Goblin tokens, with the added advantage of creating extra tokens upon its death.
The versatility and board presence strategies Swarming Goblins offers make it a compelling choice for players looking to amass a large army quickly in their MTG deck, particularly when compared to its single-shot counterparts. It’s these strategic differences that give Swarming Goblins a significant standing in token-centric decks.
Cards similar to Swarming Goblins by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Swarming Goblins MTG card by a specific set like 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 Swarming Goblins and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Swarming Goblins has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |