Goblin Raider MTG Card

Low cost and efficient board presence make Goblin Raider a helpful asset in red aggro decks. Lack of blocking ability and specific mana requirements could limit deck integration and versatility. Comparing similar cards, Goblin Raider is situational, offering aggressive but restricted gameplay value.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Goblin Raider can't block.

"I seen lots o' fights. To win ya gotta bash hard and not get bashed back." —Goblin grunt

Cards like Goblin Raider

Goblin Raider is a straightforward creature that serves as a fundamental building block in red creature decks in Magic: The Gathering. With a simple 2/2 stat line for two mana, it parallels the baseline of creatures like Grizzly Bears in green. However, unlike Grizzly Bears, Goblin Raider comes with the drawback of not being able to block.

Goblin Piker shares a lot in common with Goblin Raider. Both are 2/2 red creatures for two mana. The key difference is that Goblin Piker doesn’t have the downside of Goblin Raider and can block whenever needed. This trait might seem minor but can be critical during defensive plays. Then there’s Mogg Conscripts, another goblin with the same stats. However, it’s distinguished by a condition that requires you to have played another creature this turn to enable it to attack. This condition can both be a hindrance and a strategic element in goblin-heavy decks.

Overall, Goblin Raider has its place in specific strategies, yet its inability to block limits its versatility compared to similar two-cost creatures. In the realm of MTG cards, players often look for an optimal balance of cost, power, and abilities, and Goblin Raider presents an option that is situationally considering its competitive counterparts.

Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Goblin Piker - MTG Card versions
Mogg Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Goblin Piker - MTG Card versions
Mogg Conscripts - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Goblin Raider may not directly provide card advantage, its low cost makes it an efficient addition to your arsenal, allowing you to maintain a presence on the board without exhausting valuable resources from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: As a quick way to populate the battlefield, this card helps in ramping up pressure on your opponent, supporting strategies that capitalize on swarming the field with creatures to overwhelm the other player.

Instant Speed: Although Goblin Raider doesn’t have instant speed itself, its inclusion can lead to a domino effect by paving the way for playing other high-impact instant speed spells on your subsequent turns. This chain reaction can prove decisive in gaining the upper hand in tight situations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The necessity to discard a card in order to utilize some Goblin themed cards can pose a serious drawback during gameplay, especially when your hand is already dwindling and each card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Raider requires a dedicated mana setup, as it demands red mana, this may restrict the card’s inclusion solely to red or multi-colored decks, potentially reducing its versatility across the broader spectrum of MTG strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When examining Goblin Raider in the context of its mana value, there are alternative creatures that may offer a more cost-effective solution for establishing board presence, considering that a two-mana cost for a 2/2 creature without additional abilities is on the higher side when benchmarked against other options within the game.

Reasons to Include Goblin Raider in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Raider serves as a reliable addition to red aggro decks, offering a steady presence on the battlefield that complements a variety of strategies focused on early pressure.

Combo Potential: This card works well with effects that capitalize on the presence of Goblin creatures or require a large number of attackers to activate certain abilities or bonuses.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where quick offensive plays could tip the scales, the straightforward aggression of Goblin Raider can be a key component in overwhelming control-focused opponents.

How to beat

Goblin Raider, a simple yet iconic creature card in MTG, may not pose the complexity of other cards but still requires a strategy to counter. Its strength lies in its basic functionality as an aggressive early-game play. Players can easily overlook the fact that its inability to block makes it a double-edged sword. This is where your opportunity to gain the upper hand arises.

To counteract the aggressive nature of Goblin Raider, consider cards that can remove it from the battlefield swiftly and efficiently. Removal spells like Fatal Push or Shock can deal with the creature before it’s able to deal significant damage. Additionally, since Goblin Raider can’t block, this opens the door for you to attack without the concern of retaliation, making it easier to develop your board presence. Employing creatures with superior toughness or those with ‘reach’ can also nullify its threat.

Ultimately, while Goblin Raider serves its purpose in a goblin-themed deck, providing a low-cost attacking force, players who come prepared with direct removal or strategic creature deployment can easily outmaneuver the straightforward threat it presents.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Raider MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Urza's Saga, 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 Raider and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Raider Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 1031997NormalBlackMatt Stawicki
21998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 1941997NormalBlackGreg Staples
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1921997NormalWhiteArnie Swekel
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 192★1997NormalBlackArnie Swekel
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 191★2003NormalBlackGreg Staples
62003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 1912003NormalWhiteGreg Staples
72005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED S82003NormalWhiteGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Raider has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal