Goblin Firestarter MTG Card

Goblin Firestarter offers card advantage and strategic flexibility with instant-speed sacrifice. It plays well with graveyard strategies, boosting resource acceleration in the right deck. A drawback is its red mana cost, narrowing its utility in multi-colored deck builds.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

On your turn, before you attack, you may destroy Goblin Firestarter to have it deal 1 damage to any one creature or player.

Cards like Goblin Firestarter

Exploring the depths of Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal, Goblin Firestarter holds a warm spot among red mana users similar to other single-target creature removal cards. It shares the battlefield with the likes of Shock, a staple low-cost instant that also deals direct damage but with the ability to target both creatures and players. While Shock may have a broader scope, Goblin Firestarter boasts a repeatable effect capable of igniting a path through an opponent’s defenses.

Another kin in effect is Fanatical Firebrand, which offers both the immediacy of a hasty attack and the option to sacrifice for targeted damage. Although it may not have the recurrence ability of Goblin Firestarter, the versatility it provides in terms of immediate board impact is invaluable. Comparatively, Mogg Fanatic is a creature that can be strategically sacrificed for an instant damage burst, risking itself once on the altar of strategic plays.

Thus, in weighing Goblin Firestarter against its counterparts, its recurrent potential to scorch creatures without needing to self-sacrifice places it in a distinct league within the MTG realm, adding a spicy advantage for those who favor long-term strategies over a single fiery burst.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Firestarter excels in providing incremental card advantage in decks that have methods to utilize the graveyard. Being able to sacrifice it for a direct effect means you’re efficiently converting a creature on the board into potential damage, all while leaving room for graveyard synergies that further advance your game plan.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the ability to sacrifice Goblin Firestarter at instant speed can be an enabler for cards that benefit from having creatures enter the graveyard, effectively accelerating your resource accumulation in decks designed to exploit such interactions.

Instant Speed: The real asset of Goblin Firestarter is its ability to be sacrificed at instant speed, offering you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves. This control allows for strategic play, where you can decide the most advantageous moment to trigger its ability, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy or securing the board state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Firestarter requires its controller to discard a card, which could be problematic if you’re already struggling to maintain a good hand size or if every card in your hand is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that specifically requires red mana, this card might not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that might have a different mana base balance, potentially reducing its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its ability and effect, Goblin Firestarter has a mana cost that might be steep compared to other cards that could deliver similar or better value with lower investment. This could lead to less efficient mana utilization in the heat of the game.

Reasons to Include Goblin Firestarter in Your Collection

Versatility: The Goblin Firestarter card is a useful addition to any red deck, known for its ability to adapt to various game situations. Whether you’re sparking early aggression or need a quick solution for problematic creatures, this card offers flexibility on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: As a card with an activated ability that deals damage, Goblin Firestarter works well with strategies that capitalize on direct damage or sacrificing creatures. It has potential synergies with cards that track damage dealt or creatures dying, elevating its combo utility.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small, key creatures can dictate the pace, having an accessible removal option like Goblin Firestarter can significantly tip games in your favor. Its relevance grows in environments that favor quick, decisive plays and board control.

How to beat

Goblin Firestarter is a quirky and potentially disruptive card within the vast catalog of Magic: The Gathering. It offers a playstyle that demands attention due to its ability to deal direct damage to creatures. Yet, while it possesses a seemingly simple power, players can counter it with strategic plays and card choices.

For those looking to secure their board against a Goblin Firestarter, consider utilizing creature cards with higher toughness, thus outlasting the small amount of damage it can inflict. Furthermore, spells that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn can nullify the Firestarter’s impact. You might also employ counterspells to prevent it from hitting the field in the first place. Flying creatures can swoop over it untouched, and instant removal cards can address it the moment it becomes a threat.

Adapting to your opponent’s strategy, especially when they bring out utility creatures like Goblin Firestarter, will shift the tide of the game in your favor. Knowing when to prioritize its removal or when to develop your board for a strong counterattack is key in outplaying this card’s fiery potential.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Firestarter MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Masters Edition IV, 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 Firestarter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Firestarter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Keith Parkinson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 961997NormalBlackKeith Parkinson
22011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1201997NormalBlackKeith Parkinson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Firestarter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-09-20 If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn.