Goblin Striker MTG Card

Its low cost allows quick aggression, bolstering red decks with efficient early board presence. Goblin Striker can deplete your hand but has combo potential for swift, powerful attacks. Despite mana constraints, its immediacy makes it relevant in fast-paced MTG environments.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 94

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number I19

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Berserker
Abilities	First strike,Haste
Power	1
Toughness	1

Text of card

First strike, haste

There's no word in the goblin language for "strategy." Then again, there's no word in the goblin language for "word."

Cards like Goblin Striker

Goblin Striker stands out in the realm of haste creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its direct parallel can be seen in cards like Raging Goblin, a classic choice that also provides haste for a swift attack. What makes Goblin Striker distinct is its power of 2, giving it a slight edge in combat over Raging Goblin’s power of 1.

Another card worthy of comparison is the Jackal Pup, which shares the same cost but lacks haste. Despite this, the Pup’s drawback of potentially dealing damage to its owner can deter players from choosing it over Goblin Striker. Furthermore, considering Legion Loyalist, it not only has haste but indeed brings along additional combat benefits when attacking with others.

Delving into these options reveals Goblin Striker as a solid pick for those seeking immediate board impact. Its combination of cost-efficiency and offensive potential make it a favored creature when discussing red aggro decks within MTG’s vast library of cards.

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

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Striker’s low casting cost makes it an efficient addition to your battlefield, effectively allowing for a faster buildup of your tribal synergy and board presence. This leads to an indirect card advantage as you are able to deploy more threats without expending multiple cards.

Resource Acceleration: When combined with cards that benefit from or generate Goblins, such as Skirk Prospector or Goblin Warchief, the Goblin Striker can contribute to resource acceleration. This can lead to a cascade effect where you cast multiple goblins in a single turn, overwhelming your opponent quickly.

Instant Speed: While Goblin Striker itself is not an instant, it pairs well with cards that can flash goblins onto the battlefield or with spells that can be cast at instant speed, providing unexpected combat tricks or board state changes during your opponent’s turn, thus maximizing its offensive capabilities.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Striker demands a card be discarded each time you wish to utilize its ability. This can deplete your hand quickly and leave you at a disadvantage, especially in a game where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The requirement for red mana to summon Goblin Striker can be restrictive. This specific mana requirement means it can’t be seamlessly included in multicolor decks that don’t heavily feature red mana sources, potentially limiting its versatility in various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other creatures and spells in the game that require less mana and offer comparable, if not superior, abilities or effects, Goblin Striker’s mana cost is often seen as steep for what it brings to the battlefield. Budget-conscious players might find more efficient options to invest their mana in during a game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Striker’s haste feature allows it to swiftly enter the battlefield and exert pressure from the get-go. This makes it a perfect match for quick aggro decks, as well as a solid early-game play in decks that cherish speed over build-up.

Combo Potential: With its ability to dish out damage right away, Goblin Striker is a superb candidate for combination with cards that amplify attack power or utilize the number of creatures you have attacking. It synergizes well with cards that capitalize on creature swarms to overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Considering a game environment that favors early creature threats, Goblin Striker earns its place by forcing immediate action from your opponent. This could create advantageous situations as part of an assertive strategy that targets slower, setup-intensive decks.

How to beat

Goblin Striker can pack a punch with its unique abilities, charging into the battlefield as an efficient creature in Magic: The Gathering. This nimble red creature card is valued for its haste, allowing it to attack the moment it comes into play. As a low-cost option for a red deck, it can quickly become a thorn in your side if not dealt with promptly.

To triumph against Goblin Striker, consider employing removal spells that can target creatures with haste. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch the Striker before it has a chance to deal damage. On-board tricks such as Flash creatures can also act as surprise blockers, disrupting its assault. Remember that Goblin Striker, while fast, has limited toughness; therefore, any blocker with sufficient power can easily remove it during combat.

Lastly, prioritizing the control of the early gameboard could prevent a card like Goblin Striker from making a significant impact. By continuously clearing the opponent’s side and presenting your own threats, the relevance of a single Goblin Striker diminishes. Focus on creating a strategic game plan that mitigates quick aggro plays, and cards like Goblin Striker will become much less of an obstacle.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Striker MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Salvat 2005, 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 Striker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Striker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Kevin Dobler.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD		94	2003	Normal	Black	Kevin Dobler
2	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL		I19	2003	Normal	White	Kevin Dobler

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Striker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal