Goblin Vandal MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 105
1998-08-12 - Number br105
2002-06-24 - Number 62383
2002-06-24 - Number 46916
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Rogue |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
oo R Destroy target artifact defending player controls. Goblin Vandal deals no combat damage this turn. Use this ability only if Goblin Vandal is attacking and unblocked and only once each turn.
Cards like Goblin Vandal
Goblin Vandal is a notable member of the aggressive red creature lineup in Magic: The Gathering. This small but mighty creature has a kinship with the likes of Tin Street Hooligan. Both share the utility of destroying artifacts, a critical capability in many MTG formats. Yet, the Vandal requires an attack for its ability to be activated, unlike the Hooligan, which offers immediate results when played.
Goblin Vandal also stands toe-to-toe with the likes of Manic Vandal. Although Manic Vandal has a more significant impact by destroying artifacts on entry without additional cost, Goblin Vandal shines in early-game strikes and recurring artifact removal if left unchecked. Similarly, the venerable Gorilla Shaman, also known as “Mox Monkey,” offers artifact dismantling powers. While the Shaman is able to target artifacts of varying costs effectively, Goblin Vandal’s constant threat to artifacts simply by attacking introduces a dynamic challenge for opponents.
To sum up, Goblin Vandal finds its niche as an aggressive and reusable artifact threat. Its card design encourages action and strategic combat decisions, making it a distinctive choice among red creatures with artifact-removal capabilities within MTG.
Cards similar to Goblin Vandal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Goblin Vandal might not directly offer card draw, its ability to destroy Artifacts can dismantle opponent strategies and indirectly lead to card advantage. By taking out key pieces of their setup, you leave them with fewer options, tipping the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration isn’t the primary function of Goblin Vandal, but its impact on the board can streamline your attack strategy. By removing mana-producing Artifacts, you delay your opponent’s game plan, allowing you to press your advantage and hasten your victory.
Instant Speed: Goblin Vandal itself doesn’t have instant speed capabilities, but its effect can support instant speed strategies. Using Goblin Vandal in concert with instant-speed removal spells and counterspells can be a devastating combo, keeping the opponent on the back foot and threatening at all stages of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some utility creatures, Goblin Vandal requires an activation cost. This can be problematic, especially if your hand is already stretched thin managing resources and plotting your next moves.
Specific Mana Cost: The Vandal’s casting cost necessitates red mana. Its specificity may deter inclusion in multicolored decks that prioritize mana flexibility over niche card abilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the card’s aggressive potential, the cost to bring Goblin Vandal into play and subsequently activate its abilities could be deemed steep. It is integral to weigh the Vandal’s cost against other creatures or spells that could offer a better return on investment within your strategy.
Reasons to Include Goblin Vandal in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Vandal works well in a myriad of aggressive decks. Its ability to destroy artifacts makes it not only a threat but also a strategic asset against decks that rely heavily on artifact synergy.
Combo Potential: This hasty one-drop can be part of explosive starts when paired with other cheap goblins. Additionally, it can be combined with cards that benefit from or trigger upon artifact destruction, creating potent interactions and unexpected plays.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts are prevalent, Goblin Vandal shines by providing a repeatable answer to opponents’ utility artifacts or mana accelerators. Moreover, its ability to swing early puts immediate pressure on your opponents, making it a relevant choice for current aggressive red strategies.
How to beat
Goblin Vandal is a crafty card found in the realms of MTG, providing players with an efficient way to wreak havoc on their opponent’s artifacts. With its ability to destroy artifact permanents, this card can be a nuisance on the battlefield. To effectively counter this goblin’s shenanigans, a strategic approach is crucial. One option is playing cards with the capability to remove creatures at a low cost, preventing the vandal from connecting with any artifacts. Creature removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are perfect tools for this job.
Alternatively, employing countermeasures against the creature’s activation could serve as a solution. Shroud or Hexproof can protect your artifacts from being targeted by such effects. Cards like Padeem, Consul of Innovation give your artifacts Hexproof, ensuring the Goblin Vandal’s ability is nullified. Reducing the vandal’s impact on the game by managing your artifacts and retaining creature control is key to maintaining dominance over a player deploying Goblin Vandal.
Considering the spectrum of options available for addressing offensive creatures, keeping a few of these strategies in your deck will increase your resilience against the destructive efforts of Goblin Vandal, enabling you to protect your precious artifacts and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Vandal MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Vandal and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Goblin Vandal Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 1998-08-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 105 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 1998-08-12 | World Championship Decks 1998 | WC98 | br105 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 62383 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | ||
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 46916 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Vandal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Vandal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | If the defending player controls no artifacts that you can target, the ability doesn’t go on the stack and you can’t pay . |
| 2013-04-15 | An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step. |