Goblin Gardener MTG Card
1999-06-07 - Number 84
2001-04-11 - Number 188★
2001-04-11 - Number 188
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Goblin Gardener is put into a graveyard from play, destroy target land.
"Grow food in dirt? Save time—eat dirt."
Cards like Goblin Gardener
Goblin Gardener is an intriguing creature in the realm of MTG, offering both a body on the board and a land destruction ability upon its death. It shares some similarities with cards like Raze, which is purely focused on land destruction without the presence of a creature. However, Goblin Gardener allows for tactical play by having a creature on the board that can attack or block before potentially removing a land.
Another comparable card is Embermaw Hellion, which is more costly but brings a considerable creature with an ability that can increase the damage output of red sources. While Goblin Gardener only provides a one-time land destruction effect, Embermaw Hellion continues to enhance red damage as long as it remains on the battlefield. Then there’s Tremble, a low-cost sorcery that forces each player to sacrifice a land. Although it doesn’t offer a creature like Goblin Gardener does, Tremble can be useful in a well-timed land destruction strategy.
Evaluating the benefits and strategies, Goblin Gardener stands out for its dual utility of being both an attacking/defensive option and a land destruction tool within MTG gameplay. Its versatility might make it a preferred choice for decks that aim to disrupt opponents while applying pressure with creatures.
Cards similar to Goblin Gardener by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin Gardener may not draw cards directly, but its ability to destroy a land when it dies can disrupt your opponent’s game plan, leading indirectly to a card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While the Goblin Gardener doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense, its presence can deter opponents from attacking, possibly allowing you more time to develop your own board and resources.
Instant Speed: The key value of Goblin Gardener doesn’t lie in instant speed interactions; however, its death-triggered land destruction can be a surprise tactic, especially when used in conjunction with effects that sacrifice creatures at instant speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Goblin Gardener doesn’t have an inherent discard requirement, in a broader context, utilizing this card may enforce a strategic discard elsewhere due to hand limitations, particularly in decks that play many cards in a turn.
Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Gardener demands a precise red mana cost, which could be restrictive. A deck that is not centered around red mana sources may find this card a tough fit, reducing its versatility and impacting deck building strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the card’s mana cost sitting at four, including three of any color but one specific red, decks might suffer from slowed momentum, especially when faster, lower-cost creatures or damage spells could be played instead. For the effect provided by Goblin Gardener, there are other, potentially more impactful cards that a player might consider for a slot in their deck.
Reasons to Include Goblin Gardener in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Gardener serves as an unconventional yet effective tool in destruction-based strategies. Its ability to destroy a land when it dies can disrupt opponent’s mana base or eliminate troublesome nonbasic lands.
Combo Potential: This red creature fits well in decks that capitalize on death triggers or sacrifice mechanics. Utilizing Goblin Gardener can set the stage for a combo that clears a path for your onslaught or hampers the opponent’s development.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where land-centric decks like Ramp or Control are prominent, the Gardener’s land destruction ability gains more significance. It offers a targeted response to strategies that heavily rely on specific lands to function optimally.
How to beat
Goblin Gardener serves a unique role in the realms of Magic: The Gathering, bringing not only a creature presence but also a land destruction ability upon its demise. Navigating around this dual threat means understanding both the tempo of creature combat and the nuances of land-based strategies.
One effective approach is to minimize its land destruction potential. Employing instant-speed removal spells can eliminate the Goblin Gardener without risking your own lands during your turn. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push excel in this scenario, efficiently removing threats without triggering detrimental effects. Alternatively, taking advantage of its 2/1 stats with cards offering greater toughness can block and remove it without losing a significant resource.
Additionally, incorporating graveyard disruption into your game plan hinders recursion strategies that target creatures like Goblin Gardener. Graveyard hate cards, such as Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt, ensure that once the card is dealt with, it stays out of play. By knowing your deck and choosing the right counters, defeating Goblin Gardener becomes a manageable task—one that doesn’t leave you at a disadvantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Gardener MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Seventh Edition, 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 Gardener 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
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Printings
The Goblin Gardener Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-06-07 | Urza's Destiny | UDS | 84 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 188★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jerry Tiritilli | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 188 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jerry Tiritilli |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Gardener has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Gardener card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The ability is not optional. You have to choose one of your own lands if your opponent has none. |