Goblin Cohort MTG Card
2005-02-04 - Number 106
2007-11-16 - Number 38
2014-12-05 - Number 38
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Goblin Cohort can't attack unless you've played a creature spell this turn.
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Cards like Goblin Cohort
Goblin Cohort is a solid choice for those building an aggressive red deck in Magic: The Gathering. It shares many traits with other one-drop creatures such as Monastery Swiftspear and Foundry Street Denizen. Like these cards, Goblin Cohort rewards players for maintaining a swift offense, as it can only attack if you’ve cast a creature spell this turn. Monastery Swiftspear, known for prowess and haste, similarly encourages a strategy reliant on casting spells to amp up your offense.
Foundry Street Denizen, another goblin, also thrives in a creature-heavy deck by getting stronger every time another red creature enters the battlefield. Both Goblin Cohort and Foundry Street Denizen are excellent in decks that rapidly deploy creatures, but what sets Goblin Cohort apart is the absence of mana cost restrictions that come with Foundry Street Denizen’s ability to grow in power. Rakdos Cackler is another one-mana creature with a potent early game presence, offering a 2/2 body right off the bat if unleashed but lacking the synergy found in goblin tribal strategies where Goblin Cohort excels.
Evaluating all aspects, Goblin Cohort stands as a high-impact option for aggressive strategies that are creature-centric, especially when supported by other goblins to maximize its potential on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Goblin Cohort by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Goblin Cohort itself doesn’t directly grant card drawing capabilities, it fits seamlessly into strategies that revolve around flooding the board with creatures, enabling synergies that can lead to more cards in hand. For instance, by combining it with card-drawing engines tailored for creature-heavy decks, you maintain a strong grip on your resources.
Resource Acceleration: As a low mana cost creature, Goblin Cohort can be played early, escalating the pressure on your opponent swiftly. Its presence enhances the efficiency of your subsequent plays by paving the way for higher-costed goblin allies or tribal spells that benefit from having a goblin on the field.
Instant Speed: While Goblin Cohort is a creature, the decks it integrates into often include instant speed interactions that allow you to take full advantage of having the Cohort on the battlefield. These instant-speed plays can be amplified strategically when timed correctly, maximizing the impact of every card played.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Goblin Cohort doesn’t ask players to discard as an entry cost, it has a different kind of demand. It only attacks if you’ve cast another creature spell this turn, which means it requires a steady stream of creatures in your hand to function optimally.
Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Cohort’s red mana requirement means it slots naturally into mono-red and some multicolor decks. However, this specificity excludes it from decks that can’t comfortably accommodate red mana or those that have a more diverse mana base requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being a one-drop, the condition to attack can be a cost in itself. For those seeking to apply early pressure, other one-cost creatures without such restrictions might be preferred, since they can consistently attack without needing to fulfill additional conditions.
Reasons to Include Goblin Cohort in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Cohort seamlessly blends into various red-based deck archetypes. Its low casting cost allows for a swift deployment on the battlefield, making it a reliable early game presence in both aggressive and tempo-oriented decks.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergistic settings, where playing multiple creatures in a turn can optimize its attack potential. It works particularly well in decks designed around goblin tribal themes, which can unlock numerous combo possibilities and interactions with other goblin cards.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive decks are favored, the Cohort serves as an efficient beater. Being a 2/2 for a single mana, it can provide substantial pressure against opponents, especially if the format’s tempo allows for consistent creature play to keep its attack condition met.
How to beat
Goblin Cohort is a card known for its aggressive early game presence in Magic: The Gathering. This red creature can be quite formidable in the early stages, partially due to its inexpensive mana cost and swift attack capabilities. To effectively neutralize the threat posed by Goblin Cohort, it’s essential to deploy quick removal spells or to establish board control with larger creatures that can block and survive its attacks.
One could also outmaneuver Goblin Cohort by focusing on stabilizing the board state through strategic life gain, setting up defenses that render it ineffective. Cards like Essence Warden or Nyx-Fleece Ram can help cushion the aggressive blows and tip the scales in your favor. Additionally, using cards with reach or any form of damage mitigation might disrupt an opponent’s aggressive strategy centered around Goblin Cohort and similar creatures.
Ultimately, overcoming a Goblin Cohort requires a mix of calculated defensive measures, timely removal, and possibly leveraging a higher curve of creature toughness. When facing decks that include Goblin Cohort, be prepared to adjust your strategy for early interference and control to maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Cohort MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and Duel Decks: Elves 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 Cohort 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 Cohort Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-02-04 | Betrayers of Kamigawa | BOK | 106 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 2 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | 38 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 3 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 38 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Cohort has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |