Goblin Tinkerer MTG Card


Goblin Tinkerer - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Artificer
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Power 1
Toughness 2
Number180
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byHannibal King

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants artifact control by destroying them, potentially converting losses into strategic gains.
  2. Ability to accelerate resources by converting less valuable artifacts into significant plays.
  3. Instant speed activation allows for flexible and timely responses to threats or strategies.

Text of card

o R, oc T: Destroy target artifact. That artifact deals an amount of damage equal to its casting cost to Goblin Tinkerer.

"Can they *do* that?" —Imwita, Zhalfirin artificer, last words


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Tinkerer offers a unique edge by allowing you to dismantle artifacts and, with the right deck synergy, you can transform this destruction into drawing opportunities or other benefits. This contributes to maintaining a superior card presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: By using the Tinkerer’s ability to destroy your own low-cost artifacts, you can clear the path for more powerful plays, effectively serving as a resource acceleration tool. This strategic maneuver helps you to outpace opponents by ramping up your game plan more efficiently.

Instant Speed: The speed of the Tinkerer’s ability is crucial. You can activate it at instant speed, providing you the flexibility to respond to threats or opportunities at the most opportune moment. This responsiveness can often be the difference between victory and defeat, allowing for surprise comebacks or disrupting key moves by your opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Tinkerer requires a discard, making it potentially unfavorable during late-game scenarios or when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands red mana, potentially restricting its integration into multi-colored or colorless decks that are not red-centric.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher side, players might find other cards that provide similar artifact manipulation abilities at a lower cost, allowing for a faster or more efficient gameplay.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Tinkerer is a flexible card that’s always handy in artifact-heavy decks. The ability to destroy opposing artifacts can turn the tide in your favor during a game.

Combo Potential: Its artifact destruction ability pairs well with decks that aim to recycle or reanimate artifacts, offering numerous combo possibilities for strategic play.

Meta-Relevance: As long as artifacts remain prevalent in the meta, having a card like Goblin Tinkerer can help dismantle key pieces of opponents’ strategies, making it a valuable addition to your arsenal.


How to beat

Goblin Tinkerer presents a unique challenge for enthusiasts of Magic: The Gathering. With its crafty ability to destroy artifacts, it can be a thorn in the side of opponents relying on such cards for their strategy. To effectively neutralize this pesky red creature, consider using instant speed removal spells that can take it out before it has the chance to activate its destructive proficiency. Cards like Fatal Push or Swords to Plowshares are excellent contenders as they can dispatch the Tinkerer with minimal fuss or resource expenditure.

Another strategy is to limit the number of artifacts in your deck, reducing the Tinkerer’s potential impact on your game plan. Alternatively, deploying cards with hexproof or indestructible qualities can fortify your artifacts against its ability. Remember, the key to outmaneuvering the Goblin Tinkerer is to remain adaptable and proactive, ensuring that the path to victory remains firmly in your grasp despite the tricks up this goblin’s sleeve.

Ultimately, though Goblin Tinkerer can be a disruptive force in MTG, a well-prepared player with the right countermeasures can effectively mitigate the risk this card poses and maintain dominance on the battlefield.


Cards like Goblin Tinkerer

In the landscape of MTG, Goblin Tinkerer emerges as a versatile utility creature within red decks. Just like his goblin kin such as Tin Street Hooligan, the Tinkerer offers players the strategic ability to dismantle artifacts. While the Hooligan requires a green mana to activate its ability upon entering the battlefield, Goblin Tinkerer stands ready to fulfill this role at any given turn for a single red mana investment. This continuous threat against artifacts gives the Tinkerer an edge in utility as the game progresses.

Comparably, Manic Vandal, another creature with a kn

Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Manic Vandal - MTG Card versions
Tin Street Hooligan - Guildpact (GPT)
Manic Vandal - Magic 2011 (M11)

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

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Stigma Lasher - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Stigma Lasher - Eventide (EVE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Tinkerer MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Tinkerer and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Tinkerer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks