Goblin Guide MTG Card
2007-02-24 - Number 2012a
2009-10-02 - Number 126
2010-11-08 - Number B17
2017-03-17 - Number 96
2020-08-07 - Number 127
2020-08-07 - Number 347
2021-06-22 - Number 4
2002-06-24 - Number 44309
2002-06-24 - Number 82822
2002-06-24 - Number 99977
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Scout |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Haste Whenever Goblin Guide attacks, defending player reveals the top card of their library. If it's a land card, that player puts it into their hand.
"I've been all over this world. I even remember some of those places."
Cards like Goblin Guide
Goblin Guide stands out in the Magic: The Gathering arena as a go-to creature for aggro decks, particularly in the Red Deck Wins archetype. Its traits are somewhat mirrored by Monastery Swiftspear, another red creature that promises quick damage with prowess, enhancing its power whenever you cast a noncreature spell. Both are examples of red’s philosophy of early, aggressive board presence and swift damage.
Comparatively, another creature vying for deck slots in similar strategies is Vexing Devil. While it can potentially deal 4 damage for just one red mana, the decision ultimately lies with your opponent, who can choose to take the damage or let you keep the creature, contrasting Goblin Guide’s guarantee of a creature on the board. Eidolon of the Great Revel also interacts interestingly with Goblin Guide by penalizing players for casting low-cost spells, common in the decks that would employ Goblin Guide.
Evaluating these options in Magic: The Gathering, Goblin Guide reliably delivers immediate impact and a consistent threat, retaining its position as a favored creature for players who favor red’s fast-paced, aggressive play style.
Cards similar to Goblin Guide by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Goblin Guide. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Burn | Modern | Boros Burn | Modern League 2024-04-17 |
| Naya Burn | Modern | Naya Burn | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-21 (1) |
 | Burn | Legacy | Burn | Legacy Showcase Challenge 2024-04-21 |
| Mono-Red Burn | Legacy | Burn | Circuito Legacy Catarinense | Temporada 2024 | Etapa 4 |
| WRG | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24 | |
 | Bushwhacker Zoo | Modern | Bushwhacker Zoo | Modern League 2024-04-27 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Goblin Guide enhances your early-game tempo advantageously. Although it grants the opponent a potential land card, this agile creature connects you swiftly to your deck’s aggressive elements, increasing the odds of a victorious strike.
Resource Acceleration: Swift and menacing, this creature propels your battlefield presence from the first turn. It permits a speedy offensive, forcing opponents to react defensively, effectively accelerating your tactical resource allocation.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the Goblin Guide synergizes well with cards that operate at instant speed. Its ability to deal damage quickly can coax out the opponent’s resources prematurely, which sets up favorable conditions for your instant speed interactions during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin Guide does not have a direct discard requirement; however, its ability can indirectly benefit opponents by revealing cards and potentially putting lands into their hands, which can be a setback in strategic play.
Specific Mana Cost: As a red creature, Goblin Guide requires red mana, making it less versatile in decks that aren’t focused on or including red mana in their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Goblin Guide’s mana cost of one red mana is inexpensive, considering its aggressive potential, some players may find other creatures or spells that can provide different benefits for the same or similar cost without the potential aid to an opponent.
Reasons to Include Goblin Guide in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Guide shines across multiple deck archetypes within the Red Aggro family. This small creature with a big punch is particularly adept in formats like Modern, where a fast-paced game is often the key to victory. It can fit snugly into burn decks, providing that crucial early pressure.
Combo Potential: Though not a combo piece in the traditional sense, Goblin Guide synergizes well with decks that benefit from early damage and information about the opponent’s top deck. It lays the groundwork for sequencing your turns effectively, enhancing your strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where the tempo is vital and games can be decided within the first few turns, the Guide’s haste and consistent damage output can put opponents on a tight clock. With a shift towards quicker matchups, this card’s inclusion can give you the edge you need to outpace the competition.
How to beat
Goblin Guide is a powerhouse in red aggressive decks, known for its swiftness and the bite it brings to early gameplay. This one-drop red creature from Magic: The Gathering can be a real thorn in the side thanks to its hasty attacks and the considerable pressure it puts on opponents right from the get-go. However, formidable as it may be, Goblin Guide has weaknesses that can be exploited. Players can utilize early creature removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile to quickly deal with this threat. It’s also worth noting that its ability to give your opponent a land card on attacking can sometimes work in your favor, potentially smoothing out your mana curve or setting up the necessary resources for your own counter-plays.
Another angle to undermine Goblin Guide is through creatures that can block it efficiently. Even though Goblin Guide has a considerable 2/2 body for one mana, deploying creatures with at least two toughness can neutralize its offensive thrust. Wall of Omens is an example of such a creature, capable of halting Goblin Guide’s onslaught while providing card advantage.
Taking these strategies into account, dealing with Goblin Guide requires foresight and a capacity to leverage its downside for your own strategic gain. A well-prepared player can ensure that this quick-footed goblin doesn’t sprint toward victory unchallenged.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Guide MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Guide 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 Guide Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2007-02-24 and 2021-06-22. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 44309 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | ||
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 82822 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | ||
| 3 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 99977 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy | ||
| 4 | 2007-02-24 | Grand Prix Promos | PGPX | 2012a | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 5 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 126 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy | |
| 6 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | B17 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy | |
| 7 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 96 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 8 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 9 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 347 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Mark Zug | |
| 10 | 2021-06-22 | Love Your LGS 2021 | PLG21 | 4 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Warren Mahy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Guide has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Guide card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-07 | If Goblin Guide is attacking a planeswalker, that planeswalker's controller is the defending player. |
| 2020-08-07 | If the defending player reveals a nonland card, it remains on top of their library. |