Goblin Recruiter MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. It offers significant card advantage by tailoring your future draws with Goblin cards.
  2. Resource acceleration is enhanced, speeding up your gameplay by arranging your deck.
  3. The Goblin chain it creates can synergize with flash, for surprise game shifts.

Text of card

When Goblin Recruiter comes into play, search your library for any number of Goblin cards. Reveal those cards to all players. Shuffle your library, then put the cards on top of your library in any order.

"Next!"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Recruiter is a powerhouse when it comes to stacking your deck with Goblins. This gives you a higher chance to draw into the creatures you need to control the board or execute your strategy effectively.

Resource Acceleration: By arranging the top of your library with Goblin cards, you effectively speed up your play. This allows you to deploy critical threats in the subsequent turns, rapidly accelerating the pressure on your opponent.

Instant Speed: While Goblin Recruiter doesn’t operate at instant speed himself, the chain of Goblins it sets up can include those with flash. This synergy can unexpectedly tilt the board in your favor, taking full advantage of the instant speed plays you’ll be able to orchestrate in future turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Recruiter does not inherently have a discard requirement, but it can indirectly cause hand depletion. By stacking your deck with goblins, you might miss opportunities for card draw, while your hand slowly empties from playing those strategically placed creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a red color-specific mana cost, which means it fits primarily in red or red-inclusive decks. For players whose strategies revolve around multicolor or non-red themes, the Goblin Recruiter might not synergize well with the overall deck structure.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Goblin Recruiter may seem efficient; however, in a fast-paced game, even this modest investment can feel steep for the effect you receive, especially when compared to other low-cost goblins that offer immediate board presence or impact.


Reasons to Include Goblin Recruiter in Your Collection

Versatility: The Goblin Recruiter serves as a powerful tool in red decks, particularly those themed around Goblins. Its ability to arrange Goblins on top of your library ensures your next draws are optimized, providing consistency in both casual and competitive play.

Combo Potential: The card excels in setting up game-winning combinations by lining up the necessary goblin pieces. Whether it’s synergizing for a massive one-turn attack or preparing the perfect defense, Goblin Recruiter is the linchpin for executing intricate combos.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that favors tribal themes or where goblins are prevalent, Goblin Recruiter maintains its significance. It fits perfectly in a deck that capitalizes on the tribal synergies and can be a deciding factor against the current lineup of popular decks. Its strategic value in these scenarios makes it a must-have for keen deck builders.


How to beat

When facing the Goblin Recruiter in Magic: The Gathering, players must anticipate a flurry of Goblins potentially flooding the battlefield. As a card known for its top-deck manipulation, it can set up a powerful chain of events for subsequent turns. Employing graveyard disruption techniques can interfere with the opponent’s carefully arranged deck. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt remove the advantage by clearing out the graveyard, negating the Recruiter’s effort.

Counterspells are also an effective measure. By denying the Goblin Recruiter’s resolution, you avert the deck stacking strategy entirely. Control decks can keep a watchful eye, prepared to counter pivotal creatures or spells that could snowball into a relentless Goblin horde. Similarly, quick removal spells can manage the Goblins as they enter the battlefield, keeping their numbers in check before they become overwhelming.

Considering the Goblin Recruiter’s potential for explosive turns, swift intervention is crucial. Maintaining control over the game state through strategic disruption ensures the Recruiter’s influence is minimized, and the tide of small but mighty Goblins is held at bay.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embracing the strategic depths of MTG can be as thrilling as it is complex, especially when deploying cards like Goblin Recruiter. The subtle art of deck manipulation it allows can be a game-changer, setting up dominating plays for Goblin enthusiasts. As you continue to refine your deck, consider how Goblin Recruiter might amplify your strategy, enabling you to outmaneuver opponents with a cascade of cunning Goblin plays. Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG strategy, uncover advanced tactics, and expand your collection with cards that offer a unique edge. Unleash the full potential of your Goblins and transform your next game into a captivating victory.


Cards like Goblin Recruiter

Goblin Recruiter is a potent force in MTG, functioning as a deck manipulation tool specifically tailored for Goblin decks. Its ability to search for any number of Goblin cards and stack them on top of the library is paralleled by few. Cards like Goblin Matron also allow searching for a Goblin card, but the difference in the quantity retrieved is significant. Instead of several, Goblin Matron fetches only one, albeit directly to the hand.

Connoisseur of Goblins decks often compare Goblin Recruiter to Imperial Recruiter; although the latter can search for any creature with power 2 or less, Goblin Recruiter’s Goblin-specific focus can create unstoppable momentum in the right setup. And while Imperial Recruiter provides immediate hand access to the creature, the specific tribal synergy of Goblin Recruiter often translates to a more impactful future turn.

Assessing Goblin Recruiter against similar MTG options reveals a niche yet formidable ability in tribal strategies. This narrow focus means it shines brightest amid an army of Goblin allies, setting the stage for a meticulously arranged, game-winning combo.

Goblin Matron - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Goblin Matron - Portal Second Age (P02)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Recruiter MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Recruiter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Recruiter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 801997normalblackScott Kirschner
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1861997normalwhiteScott Kirschner
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 1313★2015normalborderlessWizard of Barge
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13132015normalborderlessWizard of Barge

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Recruiter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyBanned
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernBanned
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Recruiter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2008-04-01 You can search for any card with the creature type Goblin, including Creature or Tribal cards. Older cards of type “Summon Goblin” and “Summon Goblins” also count. You can’t search for cards that have Goblin in the name but don’t have the creature type Goblin.

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