Goblin Ruinblaster MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 127
2020-03-12 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Shaman |
| Abilities | Haste,Kicker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Upside of disrupting mana bases, Goblin Ruinblaster sets opponents back without direct card discard.
- Red mana requirement restricts usage, yet its land destruction tactic is highly strategic.
- Despite higher mana costs, this card shines in disrupting nonbasic land-reliant decks.
Text of card
Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Haste When Goblin Ruinblaster enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, destroy target nonbasic land.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Goblin Ruinblaster itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its capacity to destroy a nonbasic land can indirectly contribute to card advantage by setting back your opponent’s development.
Resource Acceleration: Goblin Ruinblaster may not accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, it does inhibit your opponent’s ability to utilize theirs. By kicking this creature to destroy a land, you effectively disrupt your opponent’s mana base, which can equate to a form of resource acceleration for you in relative terms.
Instant Speed: While this card operates at sorcery speed, its kicker ability can have an instant impact on the game. By entering the battlefield and potentially removing a vital land, it can significantly disrupt the opponent’s strategy much like an instant speed interaction would.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Goblin Ruinblaster does not directly ask players to discard cards, which is an advantage in preserving hand resources. However, this lack of added requirement may affect the power balance compared to other cards that might ask for such a cost.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s casting cost includes one red mana, which makes it exclusive to decks that can produce red mana. This requirement potentially restrict accessibility in multicolored or non-red decks, narrowing strategic possibilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of 3, including one red, the Goblin Ruinblaster’s Kicker cost demands an additional red mana, totaling four mana for its land destruction ability. There are other options in the game that can disrupt mana bases at a lower cost, making it a substantial investment for the ability it provides.
Reasons to Include Goblin Ruinblaster in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Ruinblaster serves as a reliable option for red deck builders. Its ability to destroy nonbasic lands ensures it can be a strategic inclusion in decks that aim to disrupt opponents’ mana bases, particularly important in formats with a wide array of powerful lands.
Combo Potential: Packed with a kicker ability, this creature can provide a significant tempo swing when paired with land destruction strategies or when utilizing cards that capitalize on opponents’ having fewer lands in play, empowering aggressive red strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where decks rely heavily on nonbasic lands for complex mana requirements or utility lands that dominate the board, the Ruinblaster can be a crucial sideboard card or even a main deck option to level the playing field and pave the way for victory.
How to beat
Goblin Ruinblaster presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. Renowned for its ability to destroy a nonbasic land when kicked, this card can disrupt an opponent’s mana base effectively in Magic: The Gathering. To counteract the potential setback caused by this fiery Goblin, one strategy is to limit your reliance on nonbasic lands. Playing with a straightforward mana base comprised mostly of basic lands can minimize the impact of the Ruinblaster’s land destruction.
Additionally, employing instant-speed removal spells can be crucial. By removing the Goblin Ruinblaster before its kick ability is activated, you can prevent the land destruction altogether. Keeping mana up for such responses when you suspect your opponent might cast it is a prudent move. Creatures with flash or abilities to counter spells also offer a line of defense against this sly Goblin’s attempt to ruin your game plan.
Moreover, utilizing your own powerful land cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can give you an equal footing, providing you a way to retaliate or keep the opposing nonbasic lands in check. In essence, understanding your deck’s vulnerabilities against land destruction and preparing your strategy accordingly tips the scales back in your favor, neutralizing the threat of Goblin Ruinblaster.
Cards like Goblin Ruinblaster
The Goblin Ruinblaster is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering with the potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategy. When examining cards that mirror its land destruction ability, one might consider the likes of Fulminator Mage. While Fulminator Mage can target any land without regard to its nonbasic status and doesn’t require kicking, the Goblin Ruinblaster stands out when kicked, specifically targeting nonbasic lands which can be a tactical advantage. Another card, Avalanche Riders, also allows land destruction, although at a higher mana cost, but has the added flexibility of being able to hit any land.
Taking another angle, we look at Demolish and Stone Rain. These are both sorceries that destroy lands, mirroring the Ruinblaster’s potential kicked ability, yet they lack the additional creature body that Ruinblaster provides, sacrificing board presence for direct land destruction.
In competitive play, the versatility and the double threat of being both a creature and a land disruptor make Goblin Ruinblaster a versatile option in decks that aim to control the tempo by attacking the mana base. It aligns well with aggressive strategies that benefit from both creature pressure and mana denial.
Cards similar to Goblin Ruinblaster by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Ruinblaster MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Historic Anthology 2, 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 Ruinblaster and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Goblin Ruinblaster Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2020-03-12. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 127 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 2 | 2020-03-12 | Historic Anthology 2 | HA2 | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Ruinblaster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
