Goblin Snowman MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 191
2006-10-06 - Number 64
2019-12-02 - Number 61
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When blocking, Goblin Snowman neither deals nor receives damage in combat. oc T: Goblin Snowman deals 1 damage to target creature it blocks.
"Strength in numbers? Right." —Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician
Cards like Goblin Snowman
The Goblin Snowman from MTG adds a playful twist to the array of quirky creature cards. Situated in a niche of its own, the card serves as both a defender and a damage dealer in an unusual manner. You might consider looking at cards such as Prodigal Pyromancer or Cunning Sparkmage as close relatives. Both cards allow you to tap them to deal damage directly to a target. The Goblin Snowman, however, requires it to first block an attacker before you can redirect its damage, a constraint its counterparts do not share.
Where the Goblin Snowman stands out is in its ability to initiate combat tricks due to its combat damage redirect feature. Comparatively, the aforementioned Pyromancer and Sparkmage are straightforward in their tactics, offering a more predictable playstyle. Additionally, their human wizard type offers different synergies compared to the Goblin Snowman’s unique goblin jester type. This can be quite significant as it defines the deck’s strategy and the other synergistic cards you may pair with them.
Ultimately, while Goblin Snowman may not be the first pick for direct damage dealing, it shines in more lighthearted, theme-oriented decks that play around its peculiar mechanic and flavor, making for an enjoyable and unexpected gameplay experience.
Cards similar to Goblin Snowman by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Goblin Snowman card provides a unique form of card advantage by enabling targeted blocking, potentially eliminating key threats without having to lose your creatures in combat. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as you maintain board presence while depleting your opponent’s.
Resource Acceleration: While the Goblin Snowman itself may not directly contribute to resource acceleration, it can effectively deter attacks, helping to protect your resources such as mana dorks or other utility creatures that contribute to accelerating your mana base and overall resource pool.
Instant Speed: Though the Goblin Snowman operates at sorcery speed, its ability can be utilized each turn. Its ability to throw snowballs at attacking creatures at instant speed during combat can sway the tide of battle in your favor, providing valuable tempo and controlling the board without needing to commit additional cards from your hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Goblin Snowman’s abilities don’t specifically require you to discard a card, but playing any card with a specific role within a deck could potentially lead to a decreased hand size, which can put you at a disadvantage, especially if the card doesn’t offer an immediate impactful effect on the game state.
Specific Mana Cost: This characterful creature requires a particular combination of mana to cast – one red and two others. This restricts its presence to decks that can produce or accommodate this color combination, potentially limiting its versatility across a range of deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a card that offers a unique but not necessarily game-changing ability, the Goblin Snowman may be considered to have a high mana cost, especially when evaluated against other cards with the potential to provide more immediate impact or value for the same or lesser investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Snowman brings a unique blend of humor and functionality to the table. Its ability to redirect damage to creatures can be an interesting tactical twist in casual games and themed decks, particularly those centered around trickery and unconventional defense tactics.
Combo Potential: This frosty friend has hidden synergies with strategies that involved tapping creatures. The Snowman’s frosty touch can be combined with cards that benefit from creature tapping or ones that prevent the damage it deals, setting up potentially icy combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In a relaxed play environment or a more casual meta where fun and thematic decks are appreciated, Goblin Snowman adds a lighthearted element while still offering a strategic option for controlling the battlefield and stalling aggressive opponents.
How to beat
The Goblin Snowman card brings a unique dynamic to MTG gameplay. Its ability to redirect damage to other creatures upon blocking offers a tactical advantage in creature control. To counter this frosty goblin, consider using spells that prevent your creatures from being blocked or employing removal spells to bypass its defensive capability. Direct damage spells are a swift way to melt the Snowman’s utility before it can become a nuisance.
Targeted removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are excellent for dealing with the Goblin Snowman efficiently. Additionally, employing creatures with flying or trample abilities can also circumvent the Snowman’s blocking strategy, ensuring your attacks land effectively. The key is to adapt your strategy to either neutralize the Snowman swiftly or to diminish its relevance by altering the dynamics of combat in your favor.
Overall, while the Goblin Snowman can pose an interesting challenge, it’s far from insurmountable. With the right spells or abilities, you can keep your assaults on target and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches when facing off against this quirky creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Snowman MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Time Spiral Timeshifted, 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 Snowman 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Goblin Snowman Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 191 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 64 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 3 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Snowman has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |