Goblin Scouts MTG Card

Goblin Scouts generates multiple tokens, offering excellent board presence and card value from a single play. Instant speed allows surprise tactics, but the specific mana cost and discard requirement limit its utility. Despite a higher mana cost, its adaptability makes it a formidable choice for token-based strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	178
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Geofrey Darrow

Text of card

Put three Goblin Scout tokens into play. Treat these tokens as 1/1 red creatures with mountainwalk that count as Goblins (if defending player controls any mountains, these creatures are unblockable).

"Pathetic—like I wouldn't know a goblin painted up to look like a dwarf!" —Pashad ibn Asim, Suq'Ata trader

Cards like Goblin Scouts

Goblin Scouts is a niche card that holds its own among creature-generating spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its parallel in creating multiple tokens can be seen with cards like Hordeling Outburst, which also summons a trio of Goblins onto the battlefield. The notable difference lies in Goblin Scouts’ potential to surprise an unprepared opponent by utilizing the land mechanics within its design. Unlike Hordeling Outburst, which has a fixed effect, the variability of land in play adds an element of unpredictability and strategy to Goblin Scouts.

Dragon Fodder and Krenko’s Command are other similar cards that produce two Goblin tokens, costing less mana but offering fewer creatures in comparison. Mogg War Marshal deserves a mention as well, since it can potentially provide the same number of Goblins as Goblin Scouts, spread across its enter the battlefield and death triggers. This spacing of token generation can provide a more sustained presence on the field.

Choosing among these options comes down to strategy and the desired impact on the game state. Goblin Scouts can excel in the right conditions, with the land mechanic offering a unique angle that differentiates it from its counterparts, making it a worthy addition to any token-based deck.

Cards similar to Goblin Scouts by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Scouts works incredibly well when it comes to card advantage. By creating multiple token creatures, it essentially multiplies the value you get from a single card, giving you several units to apply pressure or defend with on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Deploying multiple creatures at once with a card like Goblin Scouts can lead to a significant increase in board presence. This acceleration can be critical for overwhelming opponents swiftly or for sacrificing tokens for various effects that require creature input.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Goblin Scouts lies in the flexibility of its deployment. Being able to cast this card at instant speed means you can surprise your opponent during their turn, perhaps by producing blockers or by creating an army right before your turn starts to forge an aggressive strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Scouts comes with the hitch that you need to discard a card, which can be particularly punishing when your hand is already stretched thin. This can disrupt your strategy, forcing tough decisions about which resources to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specialized mana investment of both red and green which can be challenging to meet early in the game or in multicolored decks that don’t prioritize these colors. This restricts its flexibility and utility across different deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five mana, Goblin Scouts is somewhat expensive for the effect it provides. For such an investment, players often expect a significant impact on the board state, whereas other cards might offer similar or better effects with a lower cost, enhancing efficiency in gameplay.

Reasons to Include Goblin Scouts in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Scouts is a card that fits comfortably into a wide range of red aggro or tribal decks. Its ability to create multiple creature tokens provides both offensive and defensive flexibility on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card’s token-generating effect works seamlessly with mechanisms that thrive off large quantities of creatures, such as sacrifice synergies or effects that trigger upon creature entry.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors swarming tactics or where board presence is key, Goblin Scouts’s contribution to establishing and maintaining a substantial creature base could be particularly advantageous.

How to beat

Goblin Scouts is an intriguing card that often sees play in red decks known for their aggressive strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card can apply early pressure by creating multiple creature tokens, which can quickly overwhelm unprepared opponents. When facing such an onslaught, the right countermeasures are essential to turn the tide of the game in your favor.

To effectively beat Goblin Scouts, one of your best strategies is to utilize board-clearing effects or spells that can deal with multiple creatures at once. Cards like Pyroclasm, Sweltering Suns, or even Supreme Verdict can sweep the tokens aside, negating the card’s numerical advantage. Additionally, you can disrupt the momentum of a Goblin-themed deck by removing key Goblin cards that enhance or rely on the presence of these tokens.

Another angle is to outpace the tempo of a Goblin Scouts play by developing a stronger board presence with larger creatures or ones with value-driven abilities that can outmatch multiple goblin tokens over time. Incorporating consistent lifegain mechanics may also diminish the raiding pressure from the goblin horde. By carefully selecting your counterplays and maintaining control over the board, you can effectively mitigate the threat posed by Goblin Scouts and steer the game towards victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Scouts MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Scouts and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Scouts has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Scouts 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 tokens are of creature type Goblin and Scout. They are affected by things that affect Goblins.
2008-08-01	The tokens have ‘Mountainwalk’ in their text, and will be affected by text-changing effects accordingly.