Goblin Soothsayer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Shaman |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 179 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Robert Bliss |
Text of card
o R, oc T, Sacrifice a Goblin: All red creatures get +1/+1 until end of turn.
"I see a great victory and rivers of blood. And . . . hmm, looks like a spleen." —Grishnak, goblin soothsayer
Cards like Goblin Soothsayer
Goblin Soothsayer stands out in the world of red creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, sharing similarities with others that focus on manipulating the top of the library. For example, Mad Prophet offers the ability to discard a card to draw another, though it doesn’t interact with the library as the Soothsayer does. On the contrary, the Soothsayer’s foresight into future draws is its significant edge.
Another peer in this niche is Goblin Ringleader, which rather than offering insight into future draws, pulls Goblins directly into your hand, ensuring card advantage. The Soothsayer, while not directly drawing cards, provides a strategic setup for subsequent turns. Then we can’t overlook Rummaging Goblin, a straightforward library and hand filter, yet it lacks the Soothsayer’s capability to affect opponents’ draws as well.
When delving into the traits and strategic value they add to a deck, Goblin Soothsayer reveals its unique position within Magic: The Gathering. It may not draw cards directly or provide immediate tangible advantage, but its predictive power can be pivotal in guiding Goblin-heavy decks to victory with calculated deck manipulation.
Cards similar to Goblin Soothsayer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin Soothsayer shines in providing card selection, letting you sift through your deck to ensure you are drawing into the action you need, especially in the late game when every draw counts.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, this goblin offers a cheap way to potentially ramp up your mana reserves or develop your board presence quickly, giving you an edge in resource management.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Goblin Soothsayer can synergize with cards that operate at instant speed. Its ability to foresee the next draw lets you keep mana open and decide on the fly whether to cast those high-impact instant spells or settle for what’s on the top of your deck.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin Soothsayer’s ability mandates that you discard a card, which can deplete your hand and reduce your flexibility, especially if you’re already behind in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Goblin Soothsayer’s ability is bound to a red mana cost, which can restrict its integration into multi-color decks that might struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting and activation cost that may be deemed steep when considering the ability’s output, there are alternatives in the format that could optimize your mana investment for a similar or better effect.
Reasons to Include Goblin Soothsayer in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Soothsayer serves as more than just a creature on the battlefield. Its ability to give you insight into your next draw offers strategic planning, making it a useful component in decks that require a certain level of foresight.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that revolve around the top card of your library. It can also work in tandem with cards that allow you to play the top card of your library, thus potentially granting you an extra card to play each turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where knowing what’s coming next can mean the difference between victory and defeat, Goblin Soothsayer can tilt the odds in your favor. It’s a smart addition in an environment where deck manipulation and card advantage are key.
How to beat
Goblin Soothsayer is a unique creature card within the Magic: The Gathering universe, renowned for its ability to manipulate deck odds. Much like its goblin cousins, this card excels in tribal synergy and its foresight into upcoming draws. To effectively counter this card, players should focus on removal strategies that unsettle this predictive advantage. Direct removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Soothsayer before its ability impacts the board state.
Similarly, board wipes like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act are potent against goblin swarms that the Soothsayer may be a part of. Enhance your success by stemming the tide of goblins before they can establish dominance. Specifically, keeping an eye on your opponent’s mana can hint at when the soothsaying is about to commence, allowing for preemptive counterplays. Ultimately, maintaining control over the board and disrupting your opponent’s strategies are key to taming the vision of the Goblin Soothsayer.
While it might seem daunting at first, keep in mind the Soothsayer’s fragility as a creature, and use it to your advantage. With careful planning and the right countermeasures, you can ensure that this card doesn’t foresee its own victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Soothsayer 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 Soothsayer 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Soothsayer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |