Goblin Artisans MTG Card
1994-03-04 - Number 26
1995-07-01 - Number 48
1995-08-01 - Number 79
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Artificer |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
You may tap Goblin Artisans as you cast an artifact. Then flip a coin; opponent calls heads or tails while coin is in the air. If the flip ends up in opponent's favor, your artifact is countered. Otherwise, draw another card from your library. You can only use this ability once for each time you cast an artifact.
Cards like Goblin Artisans
Goblin Artisans is an intriguing card in the Magic: The Gathering universe, sharing the spotlight with other cards that manipulate artifacts. This little creature uniquely taps to manipulate the top cards of players’ libraries, resembling a blend of the abilities seen in cards like Ghirapur Orrery and Codex Shredder. Ghirapur Orrery permits additional land plays and benefits players for empty hands whereas Codex Shredder offers the ability to mill cards.
Comparatively, Trash for Treasure also dances with artifact-related play but with a different rhythm. It requires sacrificing an artifact to return another from your graveyard to the battlefield, presenting a one-time value exchange rather than a steadily usable tap ability. Goblin Welder is a more direct counterpart, enabling players to swap artifacts in play with those in the graveyard, yet this is a repeatable effect at the cost of a single red mana.
While each of these cards brings its own flavor to the artifact theme, Goblin Artisans’ continual, albeit random, potential for disruption secures its niche. Its place in Magic: The Gathering is therefore cemented as a whimsical and unique cog in the vast machine of artifact manipulation.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin Artisans offers a unique spin on card advantage by giving you the ability to tinker with the top card of your library. This can strategically prepare your draws for subsequent turns, ensuring that you get the most out of your deck during prolonged matches. Optimizing card selection is a potent advantage in any MTG duel.
Resource Acceleration: The ability of Goblin Artisans to tap and potentially draw you an additional card can be akin to resource acceleration. By manipulating your deck and improving your draw quality, you’re effectively speeding up your access to necessary resources required to outpace your opponent.
Instant Speed: Though Goblin Artisans’ ability is not at instant speed, it interacts well with instant-speed cards. The flexibility to adjust the card on top of your deck during your upkeep allows you to adapt to the unfolding game and make instant speed decisions with more information, enhancing your strategic depth.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin Artisans necessitates discarding a card from your hand to activate its ability. For players trying to maintain card advantage, this prerequisite can be detrimental, especially in tight situations where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana, including both red and colorless. If you’re running a multicolored deck or one with a less reliable mana base, ensuring the right types of mana are available can be challenging and potentially disruptive to your game plan.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at three mana, including one red, Goblin Artisans may not be the most mana-efficient option available. Its ability, while potentially useful, competes with numerous other three-mana cards that could offer immediate impact or more straightforward advantages without the discard trade-off.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Artisans is a unique card that offers a broad range of applications across various deck types. Its ability to tinker with the top card of your library allows for tailored strategies mid-game, giving players a subtle edge regardless of the matchup.
Combo Potential: The Artisans shine in an environment where the top of the deck is manipulated for beneficial outcomes. Paired with cards that allow library rearrangement or those that trigger off of artifacts, this card can become a critical component in intricate combo chains.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape continually evolves, having cards that adapt is key. Goblin Artisans maintains relevance by interacting smoothly with popular deck archetypes that capitalize on artifact synergy and selective deck manipulation.
How to Beat Goblin Artisans
Goblin Artisans from Magic: The Gathering is a unique creature that offers players a chance to manipulate artifacts during their upkeep. This ability can be quite beneficial if left unchecked. To gain the upper hand against Goblin Artisans, consider disrupting your opponent’s strategy by increasing the cost of their artifact plays or hindering their ability to use their upkeep phase effectively.
A standout tactic includes employing cards that restrict or negate activated abilities, such as Pithing Needle. By pinpointing Goblin Artisans, you disable its primary function. Artifact removal spells like Shatter or Naturalize are also worthwhile, directly eliminating the Artisans or other key artifacts from the field. Staving off an opponent’s artifacts can quickly reduce the leverage Goblin Artisans provides.
Removal spells are not your only route; introducing tax effects through cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben can make it costly for your opponent to access and use artifacts frequently. Lastly, always be vigilant during gameplay to anticipate and foil combos involving Goblin Artisans before they can unfold, swinging the tempo in your favor and leading you toward victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Artisans MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Chronicles, 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 Artisans and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 Artisans Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 1995-08-01. Illustrated by Julie Baroh.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-03-04 | Antiquities | ATQ | 26 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Julie Baroh | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 48 | 1993 | Normal | White | Julie Baroh | |
| 3 | 1995-08-01 | Rinascimento | RIN | 79 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Julie Baroh |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Artisans has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |