Raging Goblin MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 24 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Berserker
Abilities Haste
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Haste allows Raging Goblin to attack immediately, pressuring opponents and disrupting their early game strategies.
  2. Its low mana cost provides strategic flexibility, freeing up resources for other gameplay avenues.
  3. In a red deck, Raging Goblin’s speed can trump cards with more utility, playing a crucial role in tempo.

Text of card

Raging Goblin is unaffected by summoning sickness.

Charging alone takes uncommon daring or uncommon stupidity. Or both.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Raging Goblin doesn’t directly contribute to card advantage, its aggressive playstyle pressures the opponent, forcing them to react and potentially leading to a two-for-one scenario where they use more resources to handle this single threat.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration isn’t typically associated with Raging Goblin. However, its minimal mana cost allows players to allocate resources elsewhere, bolstering their board presence while still applying early game pressure.

Instant Speed: While Raging Goblin is a creature card and not cast at instant speed, its innate haste enables it to attack immediately, offering players a surprise element akin to the tactical flexibility of instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Raging Goblin doesn’t have a discard requirement, making it a straightforward card to play without additional costs.

Specific Mana Cost: Raging Goblin requires one red mana to play, which restricts its inclusion to decks that can generate red mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Raging Goblin’s mana cost is low, its impact on the game is minimal compared to other one-mana creatures that may provide more utility or power.


Reasons to Include Raging Goblin in Your Collection

Versatility: Raging Goblin may seem simple, but its ability to attack immediately makes it a solid choice for aggressive decks requiring quick pressure on opponents.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combos by using its haste to enable synergies with cards that reward you for attacking, such as those that grant bonuses or additional effects when you declare attackers.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where speed is key, Raging Goblin can be surprisingly effective. Against slower, control-oriented decks, having a fast attacker can be crucial in securing an early advantage.


How to beat

Raging Goblin is a classic red creature card that’s been around since the early days of Magic: The Gathering. Renowned for its haste ability, this creature allows you to attack immediately, a handy trait for aggressive strategies. At a first glance, its 1/1 stats for one red mana may not appear threatening, but the quick damage can stack up, disrupting early game plans.

To counteract Raging Goblin, consider using cards with the reach or deathtouch abilities, ensuring any attempted attack results in its defeat. Engage in low-cost removal spells or utility creatures with these traits to keep this hasty aggressor at bay. Timing is crucial—a well-placed Shock or Fatal Push can remove Raging Goblin from the field before it inflicts any damage.

Defensive strategies involving cheap defenders or tokens can also be effective. Ultimately, neutralizing Raging Goblin hinges on being prepared for rapid deployment and employing swift countermeasures. By adopting a mix of these tactics, the threat posed by Raging Goblin diminishes, keeping your life total safe from its early onslaught.


Cards like Raging Goblin

Raging Goblin has been a staple for aggressive red decks since its appearance. This one-mana creature is a quick-footed warrior, instantly ready for combat due to its haste ability. Understanding its role in MTG is best done by comparing it to other creatures of its ilk. Take Goblin Guide, for instance – it’s a more powerful version, offering two damage instead of one but with the drawback of potentially granting your opponent additional land cards. Both are poised for swift attacks, yet Goblin Guide tips the scale with its increased power.

Another comparable creature is Monastery Swiftspear, which has prowess, making it a formidable opponent as spells are cast. While the Swiftspear starts with one power like Raging Goblin, it has the potential to grow much stronger within a single turn. And then there’s Fanatical Firebrand, a direct alternative to Raging Goblin; it brings the same haste and power but adds flexibility with its tapping ability to deal one damage to any target.

In essence, each of these cards fulfills the need for speed in red decks but with their unique twists. Whether you prioritize immediate damage or versatility on the battlefield, Raging Goblin and its kindred serve as tools for fast and furious gameplay strategies.

Goblin Guide - Grand Prix Promos (PGPX)
Monastery Swiftspear - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Fanatical Firebrand - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Raging Goblin MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Portal, 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 Raging Goblin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Raging Goblin Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-05-01PortalPOR 1451997normalblackPete Venters
21997-05-01PortalPOR 145†1997normalblackPete Venters
31998-06-15ExodusEXO 961997normalblackBrian Snõddy
41998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 1141997normalblackJeff Miracola
51999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2001997normalwhiteJeff Miracola
61999-07-01Starter 1999S99 1141997normalwhiteJeff Miracola
71999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 551997normalwhiteJeff Miracola
82000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 431997normalwhitePete Venters
92001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 211★1997normalblackPeter Bollinger
102001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2111997normalwhitePeter Bollinger
112003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2122003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
122003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 212★2003normalblackJeff Miracola
132005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 209★2003normalblackJeff Miracola
142005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2092003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
152005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I62003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
162005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I412003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
172005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I72003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
182007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 224★2003normalblackJeff Miracola
192007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2242003normalblackJeff Miracola
202007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 472003normalblackJeff Miracola
212009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1532003normalblackJeff Miracola
222014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 472015normalblackJeff Miracola
232018-07-14Arena New Player Experience CardsOANA 432015normalblackJakub Kasper
242020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 812015normalblackJakub Kasper

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Raging Goblin has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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