Goblin Mountaineer MTG Card

A low-cost creature, Goblin Mountaineer enables fast play and aids in resource acceleration strategies. Benefiting from mountainwalk, it can become unblockable, boosting its value against specific decks. Requires a well-curated red deck, as it limits versatility due to its red mana specificity.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Scout
Abilities Mountainwalk
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Mountainwalk (If defending player has any mountains in play, Goblin Mountaineer can't be blocked.)

Goblin mountaineer, barely keeps his family fed.

Cards like Goblin Mountaineer

Goblin Mountaineer steps into the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a staple red creature card that resonates with the speed and aggression associated with its color. With a similar vibe, we have Raging Goblin, which provides the same haste benefit, allowing it to attack the turn it comes onto the battlefield. However, unlike our mountaineering friend, the Raging Goblin doesn’t help you navigate through tricky terrains since it lacks the mountainwalk ability.

Moving along, another kin to consider is the Goblin Guide. This swift attacker is notorious for its immediate impact in the game, although it offers a potential advantage to opponents by potentially granting them extra land cards. In comparison, the Goblin Mountaineer maintains a lower profile while still offering a strategic advantage when playing against decks rich in mountains.

Discussing these red creatures highlights the nuanced value each card can bring to a player’s strategy. Whether it’s the mountainwalk ability of Goblin Mountaineer that can catch an opponent off-guard or the raw speed of Raging Goblin and the high risk-reward nature of Goblin Guide, these cards each add a different flavor to the fiery spirit of goblin decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the pros of Goblin Mountaineer lies not in its ability to draw cards directly, but in its inherent synergy with other cards. As part of a tribe, it can work seamlessly with goblin-focused spells and abilities that draw cards or manipulate the deck, thereby indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Goblin Mountaineer itself does not produce additional mana, its low mana cost facilitates a quicker deployment of other cards. This can lead to a swifter buildup of your board presence, making it easier to cast high-impact spells sooner.

Instant Speed: Although the creature does not have flash, it can be incorporated into strategies that benefit from the haste ability, allowing it to swing without delay. This can be valuable when strategizing plays that hinge on the speed of execution, putting the opponent on the defensive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect that can be seen as a drawback is that some goblin-themed cards, including others that might synergize with Goblin Mountaineer, require you to discard a card. This can deplete your hand and put you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re relying on card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Mountaineer has a mana cost that specifically requires red mana. This aspect confines the card to red-based or multicolor decks that can support red mana, potentially limiting its versatility across the diverse formats of MTG.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Goblin Mountaineer itself has a low mana cost, in the wider context of MTG, many goblin cards tend to offer more impactful effects or a larger body on the board for a similar or only slightly higher mana investment. In competitive play, this can make cards like Goblin Mountaineer less appealing when deck building.

Reasons to Include Goblin Mountaineer in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Mountaineer offers straightforward value as a one-drop creature that can seamlessly slot into red-based aggressive decks. Its mountainwalk ability allows it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Mountain, making it a consistent source of damage in certain matchups.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key component in goblin-themed decks where every creature counts. Its synergy with other goblin cards can help turn the tides by enabling combos that capitalize on the sheer number of goblin creatures on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the presence of red decks in the meta, Goblin Mountaineer can be a tactical inclusion. Its evasion ability in the form of mountainwalk can bypass common red blockers, making it a strategic play against decks that rely on Mountain lands.

How to beat

Goblin Mountaineer, a card familiar to the players of Magic the Gathering, slides into your game with the simple yet strategic advantage of mountainwalk. This ability allows it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Mountain. Still, there are strategies to ensure this nimble creature doesn’t overrun your defenses.

Even though Goblin Mountaineer poses a potential threat with mountainwalk, its low toughness makes it vulnerable to common removal spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt. Ground-based defenses may not be as effective, but aerial blockers or those with reach can be an answer to the Mountaineer’s evasion technique. Moreover, changing the land type of your Mountains with cards like Blood Moon or utilizing spells that strip away abilities can negate mountainwalk, rendering the card a simple small creature. It’s all about anticipating its strengths and shoring up your defenses accordingly.

Ultimately, while the Goblin Mountaineer has its niche uses and can be a subtle player on the battlefield, it’s still a card that can be effectively managed with the right approach and reactions, maintaining the balance of the game in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Mountaineer 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 Mountaineer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Mountaineer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2008-10-03. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 1011997NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
21999-07-01Starter 1999S99 1051997NormalWhiteDiTerlizzi
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 193★2003NormalBlackPete Venters
42005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1932003NormalWhitePete Venters
52008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1022003NormalBlackMichael Ryan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Mountaineer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal