Goblin Assailant MTG Card
2019-05-03 - Number 128
2019-07-12 - Number 330
2023-06-23 - Number 295
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Cards like Goblin Assailant
Goblin Assailant serves as a robust piece in the roster of red creature spells in MTG. It bears comparison to fellow goblins such as Goblin Piker and Stonybrook Banneret — both straightforward creatures with a power of two. Goblin Assailant, like Goblin Piker, boasts a simple stat line of 2/2 for two mana, making it a staple choice for early aggression in a red deck.
Another card that comes to mind is Raging Goblin, which offers a different advantage with its haste ability, allowing it to attack the same turn it’s played. While Goblin Assailant may not have haste, it compensates with its stalwart presence on the battlefield. Then there’s the classic Goblin Raider, sharing the same mana cost and stats, but unlike Goblin Assailant, it’s unable to block.
Each goblin card provides distinct options depending on the player’s strategy. Goblin Assailant stands out as a reliable combatant for those seeking straightforward force without any additional conditions. Its uncomplicated nature makes it an accessible yet formidable choice for players looking to build a consistent and aggressive lineup.
Cards similar to Goblin Assailant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Goblin Assailant itself does not directly result in card advantage, its simplicity makes it easy to incorporate into strategies that capitalize on creature synergies, potentially drawing cards through various interactions.
Resource Acceleration: Goblin Assailant is a cost-effective addition to any deck aiming for quick deployment of creatures. Its low mana requirement can accelerate your board presence, facilitating faster and more aggressive strategies.
Instant Speed: Although this creature lacks instant speed, its inclusion can indirectly support cards with flash by maintaining a steady stream of threats and keeping opponents on their toes, ensuring they have to plan for potential instant-speed plays.
Card Cons
No Special Abilities: Goblin Assailant is a simple creature with no abilities, which may not hold up well against other creatures that offer more versatility or special effects on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one red mana can restrict deck-building options, especially in multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at two total mana for a 2/2 creature, it may be outclassed by other two-mana creatures that bring additional benefits or lower casting costs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Assailant is a straightforward card that can adapt to various decks, offering a reliable creature for red-centric or aggro strategies that thrive on a consistent creature pace.
Combo Potential: While not a combo piece itself, Goblin Assailant’s low-cost presence on the battlefield can support synergies with cards that capitalize on having numerous creatures or goblins specifically.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive playstyles, this card can be a cost-effective addition to your lineup, ensuring you maintain creature pressure against control and combo decks.
How to beat
The Goblin Assailant is a straightforward creature card many players will encounter in their Magic: The Gathering matchups. As a common card, its simplicity is both its strength and weakness. Boasting a vanilla status with balanced attack and defense, it offers solid value as a straightforward battlefield contender without any intricate abilities to manage.
To gain the upper hand against the Goblin Assailant, consider leveraging removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size, such as Murder or Pacifism, to neutralize it without a fuss. Since the Assailant doesn’t have any special abilities, even low-cost removal or damage spells, such as Shock, can effortlessly dispatch it. Additionally, players can exploit combat tricks to outmaneuver it during battles or chump block it with tokens to preserve more valuable creatures for strategic plays later on.
Being vigilant about board control and maintaining a well-rounded defense will minimize the impact of such straightforward aggressors. With these tactics, the Goblin Assailant becomes less of a threat and more of a minor hurdle in your quest for victory in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Assailant MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Core Set 2020, 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 Assailant 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 Assailant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-05-03 | War of the Spark | WAR | 128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 330 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 295 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anton Solovianchyk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Assailant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |