Goblin Elite Infantry MTG Card

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 177

Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
1999-04-21 - Number 183

Goblin Elite Infantry - Seventh Edition (7ED)

Seventh Edition (7ED)
2001-04-11 - Number 187

Seventh Edition (7ED)
2001-04-11 - Number 187★

Goblin Elite Infantry - Tenth Edition (10E)

Tenth Edition (10E)
2007-07-13 - Number 206

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Warrior
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Allows trading with multiple creatures, maximizing card efficiency on the battlefield.
Its low cost accelerates the deployment of goblin swarms efficiently.
Complements strategies that operate at instant speed, maintaining pressure.

Text of card

If Goblin Elite Infantry blocks or is blocked, it gets -1/-1 until end of turn.

They talk a good fight.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Elite Infantry offers a strong presence on the battlefield, being a menace for opponents. With the ability to potentially trade with two creatures in combat, this card can positively affect your card advantage by handling multiple threats from an opponent with a single card.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or tokens, the low casting cost of Goblin Elite Infantry allows you to deploy more threats on board early on, accelerating your resource deployment. This can lead to overwhelming your opponent with a swarm of Goblins when combined with other synergistic cards in your deck.

Instant Speed: While Goblin Elite Infantry itself isn’t an instant, it rewards players who operate at instant speed. Holding up mana for reactive spells and playing this infantry at the opportune moment can catch adversaries off guard, ensuring you maintain tempo and apply constant pressure.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Elite Infantry necessitates discarding from your hand, often depleting your in-hand strategy options and potentially causing a setback in your gameplay tempo.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Goblin Elite Infantry includes red mana, which can be restrictive, making it less versatile for decks that are not centered around or capable of producing red mana with efficiency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the abilities and stats provided by Goblin Elite Infantry, the mana cost may be considered steep, limiting the scenarios in which it offers optimal value compared to other cards with similar or lower costs.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Elite Infantry brings flexibility to any deck featuring red mana. With its ability to swiftly pressure life totals, this card can slide into aggressive strategies with ease, while also holding its own as a defensive blocker when the situation calls for it.

Combo Potential: This feisty creature has natural synergy with cards that buff or utilize goblins. It can be part of combos that capitalize on the sheer number of goblins on the battlefield, enhancing strategies that lead to explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: Given that goblins are a perennial favorite in the MTG scene, the Goblin Elite Infantry should be strongly considered for your collection. It stands up well in a meta that favors quick, creature-based tactics and can be particularly potent in matches where early dominance is crucial.

How to beat

The Goblin Elite Infantry may seem like a formidable threat on the battlefield, with its ability to dish out significant damage for a low mana cost. Often, the challenge with these creatures comes from their ability to overwhelm opponents quickly, especially when supported by other goblin synergies. However, there are effective strategies to handle these aggressive combatants.

One reliable method is to control the board with removal spells. Cheap, efficient spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can take them out before they become a problem. For a more comprehensive solution, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear multiple threats at once. Ensnaring creatures with pacifism effects or bounce spells can also keep the goblins at bay. Don’t overlook the value of blockers, creatures with high toughness or those who can regenerate provide a stable defense line, mitigating the damage caused by these relentless goblins.

Understanding your opponent’s game plan is crucial. By timing your removal and knowing when to hold back or push forward, you can counter the aggressive strategies that often accompany the Goblin Elite Infantry. A balance of removal, control, and defensive creatures will turn the tide in your favor against goblin hordes.

Cards like Goblin Elite Infantry

The Goblin Elite Infantry finds its place among the vast array of creature cards in MTG. When drawing parallels, it nods to the likes of Goblin Glider and Mudbutton Torchrunner. This Infantry stands out because of its penchant for both offense and defense, akin to the Glider’s evasion ability. Unlike the Glider, the Infantry is grounded yet forces a notable drawback on attackers, potentially deterring opposition strikes.

Its kinship with the Torchrunner reveals a contrast in utility. While the Torchrunner might seem subpar on an empty board, its death trigger positions it as a more tactical piece late in the game. The Elite Infantry, however, shines as a constant battlefield presence. Their similarities end with their tribal affiliations and base stats, as the Infantry eschews explosive impacts for a more perennial board influence.

In essence, Goblin Elite Infantry carves a niche in MTG as a creature that demands attention not solely for its potential damage but for the strategic considerations it imposes on each combat phase.

Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Goblin Elite Infantry by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Elite Infantry MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth 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 Goblin Elite Infantry and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Goblin Elite Infantry Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-10-08	Mirage	MIR	177	1997	Normal	Black	Robert Bliss
2	1999-04-21	Classic Sixth Edition	6ED	183	1997	Normal	White	Robert Bliss
3	2001-04-11	Seventh Edition	7ED	187	1997	Normal	White	Daren Bader
4	2001-04-11	Seventh Edition	7ED	187★	1997	Normal	Black	Daren Bader
5	2007-07-13	Tenth Edition	10E	206	2003	Normal	Black	Robert Bliss