Goblin King MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 24 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin King enhances goblin cards, translating into significant battlefield card advantage and resource acceleration.
  2. Mana specificity and casting cost are key considerations that may limit Goblin King’s integration in varied decks.
  3. Versatility, combo potential, and meta-relevance make Goblin King a formidable addition to goblin-centric MTG collections.

Text of card

Goblins in play gain mountainwalk and +1/+1 while this card remains in play.

To become king of the Goblins, one must assassinate the previous king. Thus, only the most foolish seek positions of leadership.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin King gives your other Goblin creatures a crucial edge in battle, which effectively translates into card advantage. As your Goblins become harder to block and deal with due to the +1/+1 bonus, each card you control becomes inherently more valuable, leading to more successful exchanges on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: The power boost provided by Goblin King often means your creatures will be able to close out the game quicker, serving as a form of resource acceleration. Every Goblin you summon is not just another creature but also a testament to your growing battlefield presence, which accelerates your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Though Goblin King himself is not an instant, the advantage he provides can be capitalized on almost immediately. In a deck designed to summon Goblins at instant speed, Goblin King’s continual boost can turn the tide of a game without warning, making your army formidable at a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Goblin King forces players to strategize around its demanding board presence. When included in a deck, one must be mindful of the potential need to sacrifice other valuable goblins for the greater good, which could deplete your creature resources and affect board control.

Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature comes with a specific requirement for red mana, which might restrict its play to mono-red or certain multicolor combinations. Decks not heavily invested in red mana sources might face difficulties in casting this spell efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three red mana, Goblin King demands a significant mana investment. In the fast-paced world of goblin decks, where swiftness and efficiency are crucial, the mana spent on the Goblin King could potentially be allocated to deploy multiple lower-cost goblins, enhancing your swarm strategy and battlefield presence sooner.


Reasons to Include Goblin King in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin King is a classic lord card that can boost any Goblin-centric deck. It gives a much-needed power and toughness boost to your goblin creatures, which can help turn the tide during a game.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with the multitude of other goblin cards. Couple it with cards that generate goblin tokens, and you’ll swiftly amass an overwhelming board presence. Its ability to grant all other goblins mountainwalk can turn a blocked battlefield to your advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal decks excel, Goblin King can significantly up the ante for goblin decks specifically. Given that goblins are a popular and often powerful tribe in MTG, having Goblin King in your arsenal ensures your deck stays relevant and formidable.


How to beat

Goblin King poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, endowing fellow goblins with a boost in strength and the advantageous ability to navigate past terrestrial terrains unimpeded. This iconic lord from the world of Magic: The Gathering empowers the notorious goblin archetype, known for their swarming tactics and explosive synergies. To triumph over this regal adversary, a keen understanding of removal spells and board control is essential.

Strategies to subdue Goblin King include employing targeted removal spells that can swiftly take the king off the board. Cards such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively handle this threat at a low mana cost. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the field, mitigating the advantage Goblin King provides to its legion. It’s critical to acknowledge the timing of such interventions, ideally disrupting your opponent’s momentum before they can establish an overwhelming goblin horde.

In essence, mastering the art of timing and choosing the right moments to deploy your resources are what will ensure your victory against the Goblin King. A robust suite of spells that can eliminate key pieces from the opposing side is crucial to maintaining control and ultimately outmaneuvering the tribal onslaught that Goblin King aims to lead.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the ins and outs of Goblin King can significantly bolster your MTG gameplay, particularly if you’re passionate about Goblin tribal decks. This legendary creature can redefine the battlefield, providing your Goblin forces with the ability to slip past enemy lines unexpectedly. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current deck or considering new strategies, adding Goblin King to your collection is a wise move. It’s essential to keep abreast of game changes and card interactions to harness this card’s full potential. If you’re eager to gain deeper insights and master the art of Goblin tribal warfare, we encourage you to continue your MTG journey with us. Discover advanced tactics, synergistic card pairings, and ways to optimize your deck around the raw power of Goblin King. Dive in and shape your path to triumph in the ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering.


Cards like Goblin King

Goblin King is an iconic figure among the red deck enthusiasts in Magic: The Gathering. Looking at similar cards, we can’t ignore Legion Warboss. Both cards amplify the power of Goblins on the battlefield, but while Goblin King bestows all Goblins with mountainwalk, giving them a strategic advantage over land-based defenses, Legion Warboss focuses on growing the Goblin army by generating a 1/1 Goblin token with each of your combat phases.

Another parallel can be drawn with Goblin Chieftain, which also provides a swarm-centric boon by giving other Goblins haste and a slight power boost. These attributes facilitate an aggressive playstyle aimed at overwhelming opponents swiftly. Goblin King, by contrast, adds durability to the Goblin hordes in the form of potential unblockability, allowing for strategic plays around the opponent’s board state.

To summarize, while Goblin King, Legion Warboss, and Goblin Chieftain all shine in their unique ways to support Goblin tribal decks, the king’s reign is not just through brute force but through granting a tactical edge that can bypass the opponent’s defenses in the refined dance of MTG’s complex battlefield dynamics.

Legion Warboss - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Legion Warboss - Guilds of Ravnica Promos (PGRN)
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)

Cards similar to Goblin King by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Stone - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Sabretooth Tiger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Skirk Commando - Archenemy (ARC)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Shinen of Fury's Fire - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin King MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 King and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin King Magic the Gathering card was released in 19 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2024-01-01. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1541993normalblackJesper Myrfors
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1551993normalblackJesper Myrfors
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1551993normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1551993normalblackJesper Myrfors
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1551993normalblackJesper Myrfors
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1551993normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1551993normalblackJesper Myrfors
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1551993normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1981993normalwhiteJesper Myrfors
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1981993normalblackJesper Myrfors
111997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2361997normalwhitePhil Foglio
121999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1851997normalwhitePhil Foglio
132001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 190★1997normalblackRon Spears
142001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1901997normalwhiteRon Spears
152003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 1902003normalwhiteRon Spears
162003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 190★2003normalblackRon Spears
172005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 192★2003normalblackRon Spears
182005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1922003normalwhiteRon Spears
192007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 207★2003normalblackRon Spears
202007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2072003normalblackRon Spears
212019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 192015normalblackMike Uziel
222022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4471997normalblackJesper Myrfors
232022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1502015normalblackJesper Myrfors
242024-01-01Wizards Play Network 2024PW24 42015normalborderlessJoshua Cairos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin King has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2005-08-01 Goblin King now has the Goblin creature type and its ability has been reworded to affect *other* Goblins. This means that if two Goblin Kings are on the battlefield, each gives the other a bonus.

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