Gravel-Hide Goblin MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 105
2024-02-23 - Number 137
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Gravel-Hide Goblin gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
"No peace accord will save Ravnica. You don't build on rot. You burn it down and start again." —Domri Rade
Understanding Gravel-Hide Goblin in the MTG Landscape
Gravel-Hide Goblin carves out a unique space within the roster of creature cards in MTG. In its design, this card evokes comparison with other low-cost creatures such as Raging Goblin or Goblin Guide. What differentiates Gravel-Hide Goblin, however, is its adaptability through its activated ability that allows power increase at a cost.
Cards like Gravel-Hide Goblin
Examining Gravel-Hide Goblin next to its kin, we see resemblances and distinctions. It shares that quintessential goblin agility with cards like Goblin Bushwhacker, yet it trades the Bushwhacker’s instant-impact for sustained power growth. Looking towards Akki Drillmaster, we observe a resemblance in mana cost and the ability to influence the board, but Gravel-Hide Goblin offers a continued presence by bolstering itself rather than facilitating others.
Contrasting it with Skirk Prospector, both cards highlight goblin versatility, though the Prospector leans more heavily into mana acceleration. Gravel-Hide Goblin stands apart with the capability to become a more substantial threat over time. Furthermore, comparing it with Legion Loyalist provides insight into different roles goblins can play—from the Loyalist’s team-boosting effects to Gravel-Hide Goblin’s on-demand, self-focused strength enhancement.
While considering their utility in various MTG strategies, Gravel-Hide Goblin exemplifies the potential for growth in a creature, making it a card worth considering alongside its peers in decks that value dynamic board presence and evolving threats.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Gravel-Hide Goblin may not draw you extra cards directly, its resilience and the potential synergy with other cards in your deck can provide indirect card advantage. For instance, the ability to consistently pressure your opponent or survive encounters can force your opponent to use more resources to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: An integral aspect of Gravel-Hide Goblin is its adaptability. This MTG card can kick into a higher gear with its adapt ability, providing a larger creature on the field for a reasonable mana investment. This can accelerate your board presence and potentially your resources if paired with cards that benefit from creatures with power or toughness thresholds.
Instant Speed: Although Gravel-Hide Goblin itself isn’t an instant, its adapt ability can be activated at instant speed. This key feature offers you flexibility, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions by enhancing the goblin’s power and toughness during their turn or at the end of it. This can lead to advantageous surprise blocks or combat tricks that can tilt the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to Gravel-Hide Goblin, players must be cognizant of its activation cost, which invariably places a card from your hand in the graveyard. This may seem negligible at first glance; however, in the midst of a closely contested game where every card counts, discarding could inadvertently set you back and diminish your momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: Gravel-Hide Goblin’s requirement for both red and green mana can pose a challenge, especially in multicolored decks. This specificity not only narrows deck-building options but also can make it difficult to cast this card on curve should you have a shortage of either type of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its effects, Gravel-Hide Goblin could be a slow addition to your battlefield. Savvy players often weigh the cost-to-benefit ratio of each card carefully, and in the case of Gravel-Hide Goblin, the investment may not always equate to immediate or substantial board advantage.
Reasons to Include Gravel-Hide Goblin in Your Collection
Versatility: Gravel-Hide Goblin doesn’t demand specific deck archetypes, making it a sound addition to diverse deck builds. Its adaptability comes from its ability to provide a solid creature early game and become a threatening force in the late game due to its activated ability.
Combo Potential: The synergy of Gravel-Hide Goblin with cards that benefit from activated abilities or creatures with power 4 or greater can be exceptional. This opens the door to various combo routes, making it a seemingly innocuous card that can turn the tide when combined cleverly.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where resilience is key, Gravel-Hide Goblin’s capability to scale throughout a match and avoid being an early target for removal spells makes it a tactical fit for the current paced environments.
How to beat
Gravel-Hide Goblin poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. Its resilience stems from the adapt mechanism, which allows it to grow stronger as the game progresses. To effectively counter this creature, it is essential to act swiftly before it gets out of control. Removal spells that can be cast for a low cost, such as Shock or Fatal Push, are perfect tools to eliminate the goblin before its adapt ability is activated.
Moreover, keeping pressure on your opponent’s mana resources can hinder their ability to utilize the adapt ability, keeping the Gravel-Hide Goblin in a manageable state. In matches where pace is paramount, direct damage and early board control ensure that cards like Gravel-Hide Goblin are kept in check, allowing players to maintain a strategic advantage. Any tactic that disrupts the synergy of their deck and restricts their use of gameplay mechanics is key in controlling cards that adapt over time.
Ultimately, understanding the timing and having a responsive strategy to combat growth-centric cards, such as Gravel-Hide Goblin, can turn the tides in your favor, ensuring that the threat they pose is handled efficiently and effectively.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gravel-Hide Goblin MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Gravel-Hide Goblin 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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Printings
The Gravel-Hide Goblin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Jonathan Kuo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gravel-Hide Goblin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |