Goblin Wardriver MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities Battle Cry
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Wardriver enhances your attack without depleting your hand, maximizing battlefield impact efficiently.
  2. Its ‘Battle Cry’ ability increases attack potency of Goblins, accelerating your deck’s aggressive strategy.
  3. Instantly boosts goblin attacks upon entry, requiring quick responses from opponents to avoid being overwhelmed.

Text of card

Battle cry (Whenever this creature attacks, each other attacking creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn.)

"A true warrior fights with whatever's handy." —Qerk of the Secret Warren


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Goblin Wardriver itself doesn’t directly draw cards, its ability to bolster your battlefield with additional attack power helps maintain pressure without needing to expend extra cards. Propelling other Goblins to strike harder, it effectively increases your damage output and potential threat without dipping further into your hand resources.

Resource Acceleration: The true strength of Goblin Wardriver lies in its ability to ramp up the aggression of your deck. This form of non-mana resource acceleration makes your army of Goblins more formidable at a quicker pace, often outpacing your opponent’s ability to establish their game plan. It transforms every single Goblin draw into a bigger threat, indirectly speeding up your deck’s clock.

Instant Speed: Although the Goblin Wardriver operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game is instant. From the moment it hits the battlefield, every Goblin that swings alongside it does so with more power. This immediate boost in threat level forces opponents to answer the Goblin Wardriver swiftly or face an overwhelming horde of empowered Goblins.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of running Goblin Wardriver in your deck is its potential to become a liability when you’re facing discard effects from your opponent. While the card itself does not require a discard, heavy discard strategies can quickly leave you with fewer options to support your Wardriver on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Wardriver’s casting cost requires two specific mana – one red mana, which can be restrictive. This makes it less flexible in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana fixing; if you’re not drawing the right lands or mana sources, you won’t be able to cast it when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/2, Goblin Wardriver can be considered fair in terms of mana efficiency. However, in a format filled with one or two mana creatures that provide immediate value or have larger stat lines, the mana investment into the Wardriver may not always equate to a substantial board presence, especially if played later in the game when the battlefield is more established.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Wardriver shines in a variety of red-themed decks, particularly those that are focused on aggression and swarming tactics. Its ability to grant ‘Battle Cry’ to your other creatures makes it a valuable asset in increasing the damage potential of a wide range of creature types.

Combo Potential: When paired with decks that generate numerous tokens or other low-cost creatures, Goblin Wardriver can quickly turn a modest board presence into a potent offensive force. The added bonus of increasing other creatures’ power during attacks can synergize with effects that benefit from combat damage or creature strength.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where speed and board presence are key, the Wardriver’s consistent pressure can dominate. It’s particularly effective in metas where slower, control-based decks may struggle to manage multiple threats simultaneously.


How to beat

Goblin Wardriver is a notable force on the battlefield, renowned for its Battle Cry ability that bolsters other attacking creatures. To successfully counter this fiery adversary, it is crucial to prioritize removal spells. Options like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently dispatch the Wardriver before it rallies a goblin horde. Moreover, board wipes such as Wrath of God serve as an effective reset against a tide of buffed attackers.

Another strategy is to prevent the Wardriver from ever hitting the field. Counterspells like Mana Leak can halt its advance, ensuring your opponent’s creatures miss the pivotal power boost. If you’re facing a Wardriver, always be wary of the potential onslaught it can amplify and be ready to act swiftly to maintain control of the game.

Ultimately, staying one step ahead with removal, countermeasures, and battlefield awareness can secure your dominance over a Goblin Wardriver-led army and direct the flow of the skirmish in your favor, maintaining the balance as you vie for victory in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of MTG card dynamics is pivotal for every player aiming to amplify their gameplay. Goblin Wardriver is a testament to the power that lies within the red-colored decks, specifically those tapping into the goblin archetype’s aggressiveness. While the card itself boasts the potential to supercharge your attacking force, it is important to weigh its utility against the possible downsides such as mana specificity and vulnerability to control tactics. If Goblin Wardriver aligns with your strategy, its inclusion could be decisive in securing your victories. For players keen to harness its full potential or looking for alternatives, we invite you to delve deeper into your deck-building journey with us and discover effective ways to wield this card and similar ones, ensuring your MTG experience is always a step ahead.


Cards like Goblin Wardriver

Goblin Wardriver is an intriguing card that finds its place in the aggressive red creature lineups of Magic: The Gathering. When looking at cards with a comparable impact, Goblin Chieftain comes to mind, granting not just +1/+1 to other Goblins, but also haste, bolstering the tribe’s swiftness across the board. The Wardriver, while lacking the haste-boosting ability of the Chieftain, provides its battle cry advantage, enhancing the attack power of other attacking creatures.

Another kindred spirit in the world of Goblins is Legion Loyalist. This one-drop card carries a different tactical approach, offering battalion and first strike perks that can turn the tides by rendering the opposing creature’s abilities, like trample or flying, less effective during crucial combats. However, Legion Loyalist’s ability affects only the combat in which it’s attacking, as opposed to the enduring presence of the Wardriver’s boost which can cumulatively affect the game state.

Understanding the dynamics of each Goblin-centric card is key to building a deck that plays to your strategy’s strengths. Goblin Wardriver’s distinctive battle cry makes it a steadfast partner in decks geared towards overwhelming opponents with a constant offensive pressure, situating it as a solid choice in the MTG Goblin roster.

Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Legion Loyalist - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)
Legion Loyalist - Gatecrash (GTC)

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

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Stigma Lasher - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Stigma Lasher - Eventide (EVE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Wardriver MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins, 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 Wardriver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Wardriver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2017-10-24. Illustrated by Chippy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 642003normalblackChippy
22017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 502015normalblackChippy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Wardriver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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