Goblin General MTG Card
1998-06-24 - Number 97
1999-07-01 - Number 101
2011-01-10 - Number 121
2014-06-16 - Number 165
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Goblin General attacks, all your Goblins get +1/+1 until the end of the turn.
Lead, follow, or run around like crazy.
Cards like Goblin General
Goblin General is an intriguing piece among the vast army of goblin-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to boost the attack of other goblins, it draws comparisons to the renowned Goblin Chieftain. While Goblin Chieftain also empowers your goblin creatures, it holds the added advantage of granting haste, letting your creatures attack without delay.
Moving the spotlight to Goblin Warchief, we notice it too boosts the tribe’s swiftness, reducing the cost of goblin spells and offering haste, which is invaluable for maintaining tempo. The General, while lacking these nuances, compensates by potentially having a stronger attack buff depending on the game state. Lastly, there’s the famous Goblin King, bestowing not just a power increase but also mountainwalk, giving your goblin army evasion against decks running mountains.
Assessing these goblin lords showcases the General’s capability to be a formidable force in a strategy focused on overwhelming the opponent with numerous goblin token creatures, making it a card worthy of consideration in MTG decks emphasizing tribal synergy and aggressive tactics.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin General doesn’t just swing in with brute force; it lets you orchestrate a larger goblin army. Every goblin summoned becomes a significant force, turning single card plays into potential game-changing moves.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly produce mana, but it does accelerate your resource gain indirectly. By bolstering your goblin troops, you’re able to launch a more potent offense, clearing the way for further plays or even finishing the game sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: While Goblin General itself isn’t an instant-speed spell, it synergizes well with goblins that can be cast at instant speed. This synergy allows you to adapt swiftly to the battlefield’s dynamic flow, unleashing threats and boosts exactly when they’re needed most.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin General insists on discarding a card when certain abilities are activated. This can quickly deplete your hand, leading to a loss of momentum and leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands specific red mana, therefore restricting it to red or multicolored decks. In Magic, flexibility is key, and such limitations can be detrimental when trying to fit the Goblin General into a broader strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Goblin General can be a boon for goblin-themed decks, its mana cost is on the higher end. Other cards within the same mana range could provide greater immediate impact or utility, which needs to be carefully weighed when building your deck.
Reasons to Include Goblin General in Your Collection
Versatility: The Goblin General can seamlessly adapt to a variety of red-based aggressive decks. As a lord effect, he boosts other Goblins, making him an ideal fit in tribal strategies.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that generate multiple Goblin tokens, the Goblin General works to significantly amplify your army’s power, potentially setting up game-winning turns.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that often sees the rise of tribal decks, having the Goblin General can prepare you for an environment where buffing swarms of creatures can lead to quick victories against unsuspecting opponents.
How to Beat the Goblin General
Dealing with a Goblin General in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic planning and the right cards. This powerful creature can swiftly turn the tide of a game by boosting the might of other goblin creatures. To mitigate its impact, consider board wipes that can clear multiple goblins at once. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation are effective as they remove all creatures from the battlefield, negating the General’s buff.
Single-target removals are also quite effective against this threat. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can eliminate the Goblin General before its ability becomes overwhelming. Another strategy is to interrupt the synergy within goblin decks by using removal on key goblin tokens which could be crucial to the General’s game plan.
Ultimately, staying ahead of the General is key and requires prompt action. Don’t let goblins build up, and keep an eye on removal spells to maintain control of the board. It’s crucial not to underestimate the power that a Goblin General can accumulate over time, so swift and decisive action is paramount in claiming victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin General MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Starter 1999, 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 General 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 General Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Keith Parkinson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 97 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Keith Parkinson | |
| 2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 101 | 1997 | Normal | White | Keith Parkinson | |
| 3 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 121 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Keith Parkinson | |
| 4 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Keith Parkinson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin General has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |