Goblin Cratermaker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Instant speed lets players disrupt opponents tactically, making Goblin Cratermaker a flexible threat.
  2. While versatile, its one-use nature and red mana requirement may restrict its deck inclusion.
  3. Its ability to counter prevalent artifacts and colorless creatures makes it highly valuable in current metagames.

Text of card

, Sacrifice Goblin Cratermaker: Choose one — • Goblin Cratermaker deals 2 damage to target creature. • Destroy target colorless nonland permanent.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Cratermaker enables you to defeat a key creature or a problematic artifact, effectively removing an opponent’s tool while maintaining your own board presence. This can help you stay ahead in resources and increase the pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although the card itself does not directly accelerate resources, the ability to eliminate mana-producing creatures or artifacts with Goblin Cratermaker can disrupt an opponent’s resource acceleration, giving you a tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Goblin Cratermaker is significantly enhanced by its ability to use its ability at instant speed. This means you can wait for the perfect moment to disrupt an opponent’s strategy without having to commit to a play on your own turn, allowing for more sophisticated gameplay and strategic depth.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Cratermaker’s utility comes at the price of self-sacrifice, which means it’s a one-use card that doesn’t stick around to provide ongoing board presence or pressure on your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: While one generic and one red mana isn’t overly restrictive, Goblin Cratermaker does require a commitment to red mana in your deck, which can limit its inclusion in multicolor decks not focused on red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana isn’t exorbitant, destroying a colorless nonland permanent or dealing damage to a creature or planeswalker are effects that sometimes come cheaper on other cards, and decks aiming for high efficiency might find Goblin Cratermaker a tad too costly for what it offers.


Reasons to Include Goblin Cratermaker in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Cratermaker is a utility player in any MTG deck that runs red. Its ability to destroy colorless nonland permanents or deal damage to creatures makes it a multi-purpose tool at a low cost.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a lynchpin in combos, especially with its ability to dismantle key pieces of your opponents’ strategies. It pairs well with cards that allow you to reuse creature abilities or sacrifice creatures for greater benefits.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifacts and Eldrazi are prevalent, Goblin Cratermaker’s targeted removal can shift the tide of the game, making it a relevant choice for anyone looking to stay competitive.


How to beat

Goblin Cratermaker enters the vast panorama of utility creatures in MTG with versatility that allows it to tackle various in-game challenges. Notably, Goblin Cratermaker can be a thorn in the side for those relying on certain key artifacts or colorless creatures. Its ability to destroy a colorless nonland permanent opens the door to dismantling opponent strategies focused on Eldrazi or powerful artifacts like Batterskull.

Overcoming the might of Goblin Cratermaker can boil down to a few practical strategies. Foremost among these is the removal of the creature before its ability can be activated. Fast removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can cleanly handle the Cratermaker without giving your opponent the chance to utilize its destructive capability. Alternatively, counteractive measures like Negate can prevent the activation of its ability, ensuring your critical artifacts or Eldrazi remain safely on the battlefield.

Ultimately, while the Goblin Cratermaker provides a Swiss-Army-knife-like answer to specific threats, it also has clear vulnerabilities. With prompt response and strategic foresight, countering this potent goblin’s effects should safeguard your game plan and maintain your position in the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic use of Goblin Cratermaker in your MTG arsenal. Understanding its intricate mechanics and timing can elevate your gameplay, whether disrupting your opponent’s strategy or enhancing your own. With a nod to the card’s flexibility and impact on the game’s dynamics, it’s clear that Goblin Cratermaker has a rightful place in the decks of players looking to capitalize on its utility. Seize the opportunity to integrate this goblin into your collection, and further explore its synergies within the vast universe of MTG. We’re here to guide you through its optimal use and help you emerge victorious in your next duel.


Cards like Goblin Cratermaker

Goblin Cratermaker holds a unique position in the pantheon of versatile creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Drawing parallels, it’s akin to cards like Tin Street Hooligan and Embereth Shieldbreaker. Both cards offer targeted removal against artifacts, much like Goblin Cratermaker. However, the Cratermaker’s flexibility allows it to also target colorless creatures, extending its utility beyond what the Hooligan and Shieldbreaker can achieve.

Another similar card is Shenanigans, which offers repeatable artifact destruction through the Dredge mechanic. While Shenanigans can be a recurring threat against artifact-based strategies, Goblin Cratermaker offers immediate impact as a creature and the option to take down problematic colorless creatures such as Eldrazi, setting it apart with its broader range of answers.

Goblin Cratermaker emerges as an asset in MTG for its adaptability and potential to swing matches by targeting key nonland permanents. While other cards present similar utility, Cratermaker’s advantage lies in its immediacy and the added dimension of being a creature ready to engage in combat or be sacrificed at the opportune moment.

Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Shenanigans - MTG Card versions
Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Shenanigans - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Cratermaker MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Cratermaker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Cratermaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 1032015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2182015NormalBlackVictor Harmatiuk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Cratermaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Cratermaker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-09-11 This card preview was provided to Scryfall courtesy of Wizards of the Coast. Thank you!

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