Goblin Brawler MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities	First strike
Released	2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set name	Fifth Dawn
Set code	5DN
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	66
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Goblin Brawler can unexpectedly accumulate card advantage by outlasting opponents on the battlefield.
Its low cost and instant speed activation add strategic depth to fast-paced aggressive decks.
Despite its potential, the Brawler’s niche mana cost can limit its integration across various deck types.

Text of card

First strike Goblin Brawler can't be equipped.

Perhaps he shuns technology. Perhaps he appreciates nature. Perhaps he doesn't know the difference.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Brawler’s unique ability to initiate trades and survive can inadvertently lead to card advantage by depleting your opponent’s board while retaining your own forces.

Resource Acceleration: Its low casting cost fits seamlessly into a ramping strategy, enabling you to cast it early and follow up with more impactful plays, optimizing your resource curve in the early game.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of its activation at instant speed provides strategic depth, allowing reactive play during your opponent’s turn and the potential to surprise an unprepared opponent with sudden combat prowess.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Brawler makes use of a discard mechanism to activate certain abilities. This requirement can set you back if your hand is already depleted, as it forces you to forego potential future plays or needed responses, making it a risky play under certain game conditions.

Specific Mana Cost: Decks that wish to incorporate Goblin Brawler need to work around its specific mana cost. The cost demands a particular color allocation, which can pose a restriction especially for multi-colored decks, potentially causing inconsistency in play if the required mana isn’t available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating Goblin Brawler’s efficiency, its mana cost is on the higher end for its power level and abilities. Enthusiasts might find that there are alternatives within the same mana range that offer more impactful and immediate board presence or game influence, which could make Goblin Brawler a less attractive option in a competitive setting.

Reasons to Include Goblin Brawler in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Brawler is a flexible card that can be integrated into a variety of red deck strategies. Its low mana cost allows for early play, making it a solid choice for aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to deal damage without being blocked can be paired with equipment or spells that boost its power, creating opportunities for significant combat interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given its straightforward attack capabilities, Goblin Brawler can be particularly effective in a game environment heavy with control decks, as it can consistently press the opponent and challenge their resources.

How to beat

The Goblin Brawler stands out in the world of red creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its trample ability gives it an edge, allowing it to steamroll over blockers and chip away at an opponent’s life total. Nevertheless, overcoming this feisty creature is a task that requires strategy and understanding of its mechanics.

To effectively neutralize the threat posed by Goblin Brawler, one effective approach is to use instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push. These allow you to deal with the Brawler on your opponent’s turn, preventing any combat damage it could deal. Additionally, since the Goblin Brawler lacks innate haste, setting up blockers with higher toughness can be a sound defensive move. Engaging the Brawler in combat with creatures that can survive or kill it in a single battle phase can nullify the Brawler’s presence on the board.

Investing in board control spells, like Sweltering Suns or Wrath of God, can also clear the field of multiple creatures, including the Brawler, thus resetting the tempo in your favor. Understanding the Goblin Brawler’s strengths and weaknesses is crucial, and with the right tactics and timely plays, this aggressive creature can be tamed, allowing players to maintain the upper hand.

Cards like Goblin Brawler

Goblin Brawler finds its niche among the aggressive creature cards in MTG. It bears a resemblance to Goblin Piledriver, which also gains power for every other goblin on the battlefield. The edge Goblin Brawler has is its trample ability, allowing it to potentially deal extra damage even if blocked. In contrast, the Piledriver lacks trample but compensates with protection from blue, which can be invaluable in specific matchups.

When examining Goblin Chariot, another relative, we note that both cards have haste, allowing for immediate impact on the game. The Chariot, on the other hand, has a consistent attack power, whereas Goblin Brawler’s power can fluctuate based on equipment presence. Then comes Goblin Rambler, a creature card with similar mana cost and the haste attribute as well. However, it doesn’t offer the Brawler’s potential for power increase with equipment.

Assessing the pros and cons of these creatures, Goblin Brawler stands out in MTG for players who favor an equipment-centered strategy. Its synergy with equipment offers a flexible approach to enhance its combat effectiveness, making it a card worth considering in aggressive red decks.

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

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions

Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Brawler has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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