Goblin Wizardry MTG Card
2020-07-03 - Number 148
2024-02-23 - Number 136
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Instant speed enables surprise plays, bolstering defense or attack during the opponent’s turn.
- Specific red mana requirement limits its inclusion in multicolor decks, affecting versatility.
- Combos with spells that trigger prowess can lead to potent plays and board dominance.
Text of card
Create two 1/1 red Goblin Wizard creature tokens with prowess. (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, they get +1/+1 until end of turn.)
"Quiet in the library" soon gave way to larger concerns.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin Wizardry is notable for its capacity to produce multiple bodies on the battlefield with a single card, effectively bolstering your board presence and increasing your leverage during the game.
Resource Acceleration: The two Goblin tokens generated might not ramp your mana directly, but they offer additional sources for synergistic plays, activating various abilities that require tapping creatures, thus accelerating your in-game resources.
Instant Speed: The strength of casting this spell at instant speed cannot be understated; it allows for strategic flexibility, surprising your opponent with blockers or attackers during their end step, and maximizing the value of your mana each turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin Wizardry demands careful planning since it doesn’t grant any immediate advantage upon casting. Without additional cards that synergize with instant spells, its raw impact could be underwhelming compared to other spells at a similar mana cost.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s specific requirement of red mana makes it a challenging fit outside of mono-red or red-centric decks. Players running a broader color palette might struggle to consistently meet Goblin Wizardry’s casting conditions.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana, including two red, this spell falls on the higher end for its effect category. Alternative cards at lower costs might provide similar benefits more efficiently, making it a less optimal choice in fast-paced or mana-tight situations.
Reasons to Include Goblin Wizardry in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Wizardry offers more than just instant-speed creature generation. Its prowess tokens can also effectively block or provide a sudden increase in damage, slipping into multiple red or Izzet spell-focused decks with ease.
Combo Potential: Pairing Goblin Wizardry with cards that capitalize on instant and sorcery synergy or prowess ability can turn it into a key component that ignites a cascade of powerful plays, leading to overwhelming board states or game-ending moves.
Meta-Relevance: It’s essential in a meta that favors quick, responsive play. Goblin Wizardry aligns perfectly with faster paced games, allowing players to maintain pressure and adapt to the evolving battlefield conditions effectively.
How to beat
Goblin Wizardry is a clever instant spell in the realm of MTG, recognized for instantly bolstering your board with a pair of 1/1 red Goblin Wizard creatures. These creatures not only contribute to your offensive strategy but also come with the prowess ability, getting stronger whenever you cast a noncreature spell. Its strength lies in its versatility, allowing for both an immediate army presence and potential explosive turns with multiple noncreature spells.
Tackling Goblin Wizardry effectively requires a strategy that neutralizes the card’s benefits. Board wipes like Shatter the Sky or Blasphemous Act can clear out the goblin tokens regardless of how pumped they are. Spot removals are less effective due to the instant nature and multiple bodies provided by Goblin Wizardry. Efficient removal spells and control mechanisms are key, preferably ones that can handle multiple creatures at once. Cards like Cry of the Carnarium can be particularly devastating against goblin tokens, not only removing them but also preventing them from returning to play or interacting with graveyard mechanics.
When facing off against Goblin Wizardry, it’s essential to consider your removal options carefully. Choosing the right spell can mean the difference between an overwhelming board of pumped-up goblins or a clean slate where you can press your advantage.
Cards like Goblin Wizardry
Goblin Wizardry is a unique instant in the realm of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to create tokens and provide players with immediate board presence. It shares similarities with cards like Krenko’s Command and Dragon Fodder, both of which generate two 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens for the same mana cost. However, Goblin Wizardry offers something more with its instant speed, enabling a surprise element and interaction during an opponent’s turn, unlike the sorcery speed of its counterparts.
Moreover, Goblin Wizardry also gives the summoned tokens prowess, meaning they get stronger whenever you cast a noncreature spell, a feature not found in Krenko’s Command or Dragon Fodder. Peek further into the Goblin theme, and you’ll find Hordeling Outburst which creates not two, but three Goblin tokens. Still, it lacks the flexibility of instant casting and the prowess boost that makes Goblin Wizardry stand out. Another peer in the category, Skirk Prospector, can turn Goblins into additional mana, yet doesn’t directly provide the quick tactical advantage that casting Goblin Wizardry does.
Resonating with strategic MTG players, Goblin Wizardry finds its niche as a valuable tool, creating both a defensive and offensive versatility that enhances any deck looking to capitalize on surprise tactics and spell-synergy.
Cards similar to Goblin Wizardry by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Wizardry MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Ravnica: Clue 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 Wizardry 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
Printings
The Goblin Wizardry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Izzy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 136 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Wizardry 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Wizardry card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | A token's name is the concatenation of its creature types assigned at creation. This means that the tokens created by Goblin Wizardry are named Goblin Wizard. These tokens have the same name as the card Goblin Wizard and so can be affected by things that ask players to choose a card name, such as Runed Halo. |
