Goatnap MTG Card

Goatnap provides card advantage and can turn the tide with opponent’s creatures, enabling dynamic gameplay shifts. Its resource acceleration is evident as it brings extra battlefield presence without additional mana cost. Strategic use at sorcery speed ensures well-timed disruptions, enhancing attacks or removing key blockers.

Modern Horizons (MH1)
2019-06-14 - Number 126

Goatnap - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)

Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
2021-08-26 - Number 453

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. If that creature is a Goat, it also gets +3/+0 until end of turn.

"The steering horns ain't steering!"

Cards like Goatnap

Goatnap is a unique card with an amusing twist on creature control within Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with cards like Act of Treason, which also temporarily seize control of an opponent’s creature for a turn. But Goatnap’s idiosyncratic bonus, freeing a Goat and enhancing it, gives it a light-hearted yet strategic edge for casual play and themed decks.

Comparing Goadnap to other creature control spells, Claim the Firstborn comes to mind as well. This spell also offers control of an opponent’s creature, but with a limitation on the creature’s power and at a lower mana cost. Goatnap allows for the commandeering of larger creatures, but at the expense of three mana—a factor important to consider for any deck-building strategy.

In the realm of temporary creature possession, Hijack stands out as well. This spell not only targets creatures but artifacts as well, offering a greater range of tactical options in gameplay. While this broader scope increases its strategic use, Goatnap retains its peculiar charm and specific synergy with Goat creatures. Therefore, within the niche it resides, Goatnap is a flavorful and enjoyable option for players looking to spice up their MTG matches with a blend of whimsy and control.

Cards similar to Goatnap by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Goatnap, you temporarily seize control of an opponent’s creature, which can swing the tide by depriving them of a key piece while simultaneously enhancing your board presence. This trade-off can create substantial card advantage as it enables unexpected combos or direct attacks.

Resource Acceleration: While Goatnap doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it does accelerate your resources on the battlefield. By taking an opponent’s creature, it’s akin to playing an additional creature on your side without spending the mana to cast one, effectively giving you a resource boost for the turn.

Instant Speed: Goatnap’s magic happens at sorcery speed, ensuring that your strategic creature snag is well-timed. This allows you to disrupt opponent’s plans during your turn and possibly during combat, which could turn the tables in your favor by not only enhancing your attack but also by potentially removing a key blocker from their side.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A particular drawback of Goatnap is that when you want to use its additional feature to gain control of a creature with power 3 or greater, you must discard a card. This can be especially problematic when your hand is already dwindling, and each card you possess is vital to maintaining your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Goatnap’s casting cost requires one red mana. This condition dictates that decks without red mana sources, or those running a very tight mana base, may struggle to find the right moment or the necessary resources to play this card effectively. Consequently, it limits the card’s versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of two and a half mana, including one red, Goatnap is considered to have a somewhat inflated cost for the temporary stealing effect it offers. Considering that there are numerous alternatives that could provide more permanent control or have lower mana requirements, the efficiency of including Goatnap in your deck can sometimes be questionable.

Reasons to Include Goatnap in Your Collection

Versatility: Goatnap is a flexible choice for multiple deck types. It’s particularly useful in strategies that capitalize on temporary control of an opponent’s creatures, opening the door for surprise attacks or unexpected blockers.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergies with sacrifice outlets or effects that trigger when creatures enter the battlefield or die. Steal a creature, reap the benefits, and then dispose of it to further your own game plan.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy decks, Goatnap provides a unique answer to threats by turning an opponent’s resources against them. Its ability to disrupt an opponent’s board and tempo can be a game-changer.

How to beat Goatnap

Understanding how to tackle cards such as Goatnap can give players in Magic: The Gathering a strategic edge. This unique sorcery enables a player to temporarily commandeer an opponent’s creature with power 2 or less, turning the tide of battle by not only removing a blocker but also presenting an unexpected attacker. To counter this unexpected play, the trick lies in protecting valuable low-power creatures or having a contingency plan should they be snatched away.

Strategies such as keeping instant-speed removal in hand or using creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects can mitigate the impact of Goatnap. Ensuring your creatures have a power greater than 2 is another straightforward method. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile can remove the Goatnapped creature before it does any significant damage, while cards like Unsummon can be used to bounce your own creature back to your hand in response, nullifying the Goatnap effect.

With various answers in a player’s deck to address such threats, Goatnap becomes less daunting. It’s vital to anticipate the temporary loss of a creature and adapt your game plan accordingly, keeping cool under pressure and maintaining control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goatnap MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Goatnap and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goatnap Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Mark Zug.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2019-06-14	Modern Horizons	MH1		126	2015	Normal	Black	Mark Zug
2	2021-08-26	Jumpstart: Historic Horizons	J21		453	2015	Normal	Black	Mark Zug

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goatnap has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-06-14	Goat is a creature type. You won’t see this creature type printed on creatures in this set, but keep in mind that creatures with the changeling ability are Goats.
2019-06-14	Goatnap can target any creature, even one that’s untapped or one you already control.
2019-06-14	To determine whether the target creature gets +3/+0, look at its creature types after you’ve gained control of it, untapped it, and given it haste. If it’s not a Goat at this time, it won’t get +3/+0, even if it becomes a Goat later in the turn. If it is a Goat, it gets +3/+0, even if it stops being a Goat later in the turn.