Goblin Shrine MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 68
1995-07-01 - Number 50
2011-01-10 - Number 122
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
If target land is a basic mountain, all Goblins gain +1/0. Goblin Shrine does 1 damage to all Goblins if it leaves play.
"I knew it weren't no ordinary pile of—you know." —Norin the Wary
Cards like Goblin Shrine
Goblin Shrine stands out as an intriguing enchantment in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship to other goblin-centric cards is apparent, but it brings its own unique flavor to the battlefield. Compared to cards like Goblin Warrens, which also amplifies the presence of goblins, Goblin Shrine does so not by producing additional creatures, but by bolstering the ones you already control with an increase in power.
Exploring similar enchantments, we encounter Boggart Shenanigans, which offers a different approach to goblin tribal strategies. Instead of strengthening your goblin army, it penalizes your opponent whenever a goblin perishes. Another card that echoes the essence of Goblin Shrine is Coat of Arms; although it’s not goblin-specific, this artifact gives a substantial power and toughness boost to each creature based on the number of creatures sharing a type – ideal for a swarm of goblins.
When evaluating Goblin Shrine’s role in goblin decks, its ability to make your goblins more formidable gives it an edge in combat-focused strategies. While it offers no additional goblins or direct damage like some counterparts, the static power boost can significantly impact the board state, affirming its value among goblin-related enchantments.
Cards similar to Goblin Shrine by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin Shrine enhances your board presence by boosting your goblin army, giving you a strategic advantage without losing hand resources. More goblins on the battlefield mean more pressure on your opponent, translating to greater card value from a single play.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of mana ramp, the improved strength of your creatures can lead to a quicker victory, effectively getting you to your end-game faster. Strength in numbers is often a key to overwhelming opponents in MTG and Goblin Shrine enables this approach.
Instant Speed: Although Goblin Shrine doesn’t operate at instant speed, its permanent effect on the battlefield continues to bolster your creatures turn after turn, similar to the lasting impact of an instant used at the right moment. Its static ability can turn the tides of a game and put continuous pressure on your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Goblin Shrine doesn’t require a card to be discarded, this aspect is relevant for other cards in your hand when integrating this functional land with a goblin-centered strategy. The need to maintain card advantage is critical, and synergizing with the right goblin cards could mean having to let go of other valuable cards in your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Shrine’s activation leans heavily on red mana, which isn’t a problem for mono-red decks but can pose difficulties in multicolored decks that may not consistently provide the right mana. This can hamper its integration into diverse strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not exorbitant, Goblin Shrine does carry a mana cost that would compete with other spells in your curve. At three mana, and considering it’s an enchantment specifically benefiting goblins, there may be moments when its cost doesn’t match the return on investment, especially when up against decks that can easily disrupt enchantments.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Shrine offers a powerful boost to any red deck featuring goblins by enhancing their strength. Its ability to amplify these creatures means it can be included in varied goblin-centric builds, from swarm strategies to aggressive red decks.
Combo Potential: This card can be the linchpin for synergistic plays, combining seamlessly with cards that favor the Goblin creature type. The bonus it grants can quickly turn a board of small creatures into a formidable force, working well with other tribal supports and lords.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta ebbs and flows, having a card like Goblin Shrine can ensure your deck stays competitive. It aligns well with a meta that favors creature-based strategies, enabling your goblins to outclass other creatures and survive damage-dealing effects that might otherwise clear the board.
How to beat
Goblin Shrine is an enchantment card that can turn the tide by empowering Goblin creatures in Magic: The Gathering. To effectively counteract its influence, one strategy is to focus on spell removal. Enchantment removal cards such as Disenchant, which can destroy target artifacts or enchantments at a low cost, are highly effective in this context. Directly removing the buff Goblin Shrine provides can drastically reduce the opponent’s board strength and help stabilize the game.
Another tactic is to employ board sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation, which can clear out multiple creatures, including pumped Goblins. This not only neuters the power boost from Goblin Shrine but also deals with the creatures it would have affected. Additionally, embracing counterplay with cards like Negate can prevent Goblin Shrine from hitting the battlefield in the first place, preserving deck integrity and momentum.
Understanding how to manage and dismantle enemy strategies is crucial in Magic: The Gathering. With savvy play, a card like Goblin Shrine can be mitigated, ensuring your path to victory remains clear and your goblins or defenses stay one step ahead of the opposition’s enchantment-based tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Shrine MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Chronicles, 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 Shrine 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 Shrine Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 68 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 50 | 1993 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
| 3 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 122 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Shrine has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Shrine 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 | Works even if placed on one of your opponent’s Mountains. |