Goblin Tunneler MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 148
2010-07-16 - Number 143
2011-07-15 - Number 142
2016-08-26 - Number 160
2017-10-24 - Number 49
2020-08-13 - Number 73
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Rogue |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Target creature with power 2 or less is unblockable this turn.
"You never know what's going to be in goblin tunnels. Even in the best case, there will still be goblins." —Sachir, Akoum Expeditionary House
Cards like Goblin Tunneler
Goblin Tunneler finds its niche amongst utility creatures in MTG, offering a unique ability to make other creatures unblockable. In comparison, Goblin Shortcutter also creates temporary evasion, providing a similar effect but with the distinction of being a one-time, enter-the-battlefield trigger. Both cater to strategies centered around dealing damage without interception.
Another card worth discussing is the Subterranean Scout. Although it differs by only targeting creatures with power 2 or less, it shares the goal of facilitating direct attacks. While Goblin Tunneler requires tapping and only works on creatures with power 2 or less, it offers repeated use each turn, providing a consistent strategy for sneaky game plays.
Assessing utility, Goblin Tunneler earns its place by enabling ongoing tactical advantages for swarm strategies. It may not change the course of a game singlehandedly, but in the right deck, its repetitive function can be a key to victory. So, while not as immediately impactful as some counterparts, its persistent ability to allow creatures to slip through enemy lines undetected grants it a solid position in MTG gameplay.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Even though Goblin Tunneler does not directly allow you to draw cards, it enables smaller creatures to slip past enemy defenses. This tactical advantage can result in card advantage by preserving your creatures on the battlefield while applying pressure to your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Goblin Tunneler doesn’t directly accelerate resources like mana generation. However, by allowing potentially blocked and less impactful creatures to become unblockable, it accelerates the pace at which you can diminish your opponent’s life total, effectively bringing you closer to winning before the opponent fully utilizes their resources.
Instant Speed: While Goblin Tunneler itself is not an instant, its ability to give a creature unblockable status until end of turn can be activated at any time you could play an instant. This gives you the flexibility to wait until the most strategically advantageous moment during your turn, ensuring your key creatures can avoid blockers and push through damage when it counts.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Goblin Tunneler doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it requires creatures with power 2 or less to utilize its ability. This requires players to build around smaller creatures, which could be a limiting factor.
Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Tunneler comes with a specific mana cost that is solely red. This can present a challenge for players running multiple colors in their deck who might struggle to consistently produce the red mana necessary to play the card.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although just a two mana investment might seem reasonable, within the aggressive goblin archetype, there are other cards at this cost that could advance your game state more significantly or add more to the board presence immediately.
Reasons to Include Goblin Tunneler in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Tunneler lends itself to various deck types that rely on unblockable creature mechanics. Being able to make a creature with power 2 or less unblockable can be a game-changer in the right setup.
Combo Potential: This card works well in synergizing with cards that benefit from dealing combat damage to a player, such as those with “when this creature deals damage” abilities or equipment that triggers upon hitting an opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where ground stalls are common, Goblin Tunneler provides a reliable way to ensure your key creatures can connect with an opponent, potentially shifting the balance in your favor.
How to beat
Goblin Tunneler, a creature card from Magic: The Gathering, brings a unique mechanism to the table by allowing players to make a creature with power 2 or less unblockable this turn. This ability can often lead to unexpected game turns, creating opportunities for your opponent to slip damage through your defenses.
Dealing with Goblin Tunneler requires a strategy that includes removal of key creatures, counterspells for creature-based strategies, or efficient blocking tactics. Since Goblin Tunneler’s ability hinges on the creature’s power, keeping opponent’s creatures’ power checked is a reliable way to mitigate its effect. Board wipes like Wrath of God or spot removal like Doom Blade can efficiently counter these strategies, ensuring the tunneler does not undermine your chances of winning.
An effective way to undermine Goblin Tunneler is to maintain consistent control over the game, responding swiftly to creature threats and using disruption to keep the board in your favor. Direct damage spells, bounce effects, or any form of instant-speed interaction can effectively counteract the advantage Goblin Tunneler aims to provide, helping secure your position against this goblin’s crafty strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Tunneler MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Magic 2011, 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 Tunneler 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
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Printings
The Goblin Tunneler Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 148 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 143 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 142 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 4 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 160 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 5 | 2017-10-24 | Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins | DDT | 49 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 6 | 2020-08-13 | Arena Beginner Set | ANB | 73 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Tunneler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Tunneler card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | The ability doesn’t grant an ability to the targeted creature. Rather, it affects the game rules and states something that’s now true about that creature. After the ability resolves, the creature can’t be blocked that turn even if it loses all abilities. |
| 2010-06-15 | The power of the targeted creature is checked both as you target it and as the ability resolves. After the ability resolves, the creature can’t be blocked that turn even if its power becomes greater than 2. |