Goblin Assault MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Assault delivers continuous card utility, proving vital in long MTG games due to its token generation.
  2. It accelerates board presence, serving as a crucial element in swiftly building a threatening army of Goblins.
  3. An enchantment with repeatable effects, Goblin Assault enhances red-centric decks with versatile and synergistic gameplay.

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, put a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste into play. Goblin creatures attack each turn if able.

A goblin raid is a delicate gambit—a blend of stealth, precision, and screaming death.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Assault is a deck enhancer that keeps your hand fueled with Goblins, offering sustained card utility each turn. This can tip the scales during prolonged matches where resources can dictate the outcome.

Resource Acceleration: By generating a 1/1 red Goblin creature token during each of your upkeep phases, Goblin Assault helps speed up your board presence, which is essential for quickly overwhelming your opponent with an army of creatures.

Instant Speed: While not at instant speed, the upkeep trigger ensures the replenishment of your Goblin forces is consistent, aligning well with strategies that benefit from numerous creatures and paving the way for powerful synergies with other cards that thrive on a crowded battlefield.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Needing one red mana and two of any color can be restrictive, limiting Goblin Assault to decks with a firm red mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana to deploy, there are alternatives that could provide a quicker or more impactful presence on the battlefield.

Discard Requirement: While not requiring a discard itself, as an enchantment it competes for space with other cards and may pressure players to choose what to keep and what to discard during gameplay.


Reasons to Include Goblin Assault in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Assault is a card that seamlessly integrates into various red-based decks, bolstering their offensive capabilities. Its ability to consistently generate token creatures makes it an adaptable card for any player keen on swarming the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With every upkeep triggering a new Goblin token, this enchantment has synergy with numerous strategies that capitalize on creature count, sacrifice mechanics, or the need for consistent attackers to enable other card interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the pace of play in current metagames, a recurring source of attackers like Goblin Assault can apply pressure in aggressive decks and force defensive opponents to dedicate resources to managing an ever-growing army of Goblins, potentially swaying the game’s momentum in your favor.


How to beat

Goblin Assault is an enchantment that tests a player’s defensive strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It’s known for generating a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste at the beginning of each upkeep, pushing the opponent to deal with an army that grows turn after turn. Comparable in some ways to other token-generating cards, Goblin Assault forces the player to be proactive, as it also requires those tokens to attack each combat if able.

To effectively counter Goblin Assault, consider spell cards that can remove enchantments, such as Disenchant, which allows you to destroy the problematic card outright. Board wipes, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can also clean up the tokens Goblin Assault creates before they overwhelm you. Spot removals may not be as efficient due to the constant stream of tokens, but spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can help manage the battlefield until you find a more permanent solution.

In essence, when facing Goblin Assault, the key is to utilize your tools to dismantle its consistent pressure. It isn’t sufficient to just wing it with creature control; you need enchantment removal or board-clearing abilities to turn off the spigot and halt the Goblin tide.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means making every card count, and Goblin Assault is one that promises to spice up your game with a robust goblin army at your beck and call. Considering its pros and cons, it’s a formidable force in any red player’s arsenal, offering relentless pressure on the battlefield. Whether battling through ranks or crafting a collection that’s second to none, remember Goblin Assault’s potential to tip the scales. Keen to make your deck not just good, but legendary? We’re here to provide expert insights and strategy tips. Elevate your MTG game and turn every match into a victory march with us.


Cards like Goblin Assault

Goblin Assault is an intriguing option for players looking to bolster their offensive capabilities in MTG. Echoing the swarm strategy, it bears some resemblance to cards like Krenko’s Command, which spawns two goblin tokens upon casting. However, Goblin Assault brings a unique recurrence by generating a goblin token every turn, thereby providing a consistent threat as the game progresses.

Delving deeper into similar cards, we encounter Dragon Fodder, a spell that also creates goblin tokens. Priced economically at two mana, it’s an instant advantage but lacks the ongoing token production that sets Goblin Assault apart. Then there’s Mogg War Marshal, somewhat of a hybrid, providing an immediate token and others upon its death or at the cost of an echo payment. Still, it’s the sustained token generation and the mandatory attack clause of Goblin Assault that offers a dynamic angle, encouraging a relentless playstyle.

When weighing the tactical benefits and continuous pressure attributes, Goblin Assault can be a formidable card when integrated into an aggressive strategy, especially within goblin-themed decks that thrive on outnumbering the opponent.

Krenko's Command - MTG Card versions
Dragon Fodder - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Krenko's Command - Magic 2013 (M13)
Dragon Fodder - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Mogg War Marshal - Time Spiral (TSP)

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

Mana Flare - MTG Card versions
Gravity Sphere - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Aggression - MTG Card versions
Heat Stroke - MTG Card versions
Seismic Assault - MTG Card versions
Torch Song - MTG Card versions
Ghitu War Cry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Warrens - MTG Card versions
Fervor - MTG Card versions
Spellshock - MTG Card versions
Mana Cache - MTG Card versions
Citadel of Pain - MTG Card versions
Insolence - MTG Card versions
Steam Vines - MTG Card versions
Curse of Hospitality - MTG Card versions
Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Draconic Destiny - MTG Card versions
Mechanized Warfare - MTG Card versions
Blood Moon - MTG Card versions
Mana Flare - Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales (WOT)
Gravity Sphere - Legends (LEG)
Goblin War Drums - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Aggression - Ice Age (ICE)
Heat Stroke - Weatherlight (WTH)
Seismic Assault - Tenth Edition (10E)
Torch Song - Urza's Saga (USG)
Ghitu War Cry - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Goblin Warrens - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fervor - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Spellshock - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Mana Cache - Nemesis (NEM)
Citadel of Pain - Prophecy (PCY)
Insolence - Planeshift (PLS)
Steam Vines - Odyssey (ODY)
Curse of Hospitality - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Anax, Hardened in the Forge - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Draconic Destiny - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mechanized Warfare - The Brothers' War Promos (PBRO)
Blood Moon - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Assault MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Assault and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Assault Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1012003normalblackJaime Jones
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 952015normalblackJaime Jones
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9502015normalblackJaime Jones
42020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-952015normalblackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Assault has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-03-14 Goblin Assault’s second ability affects all Goblin creatures controlled by all players. It’s not limited to the tokens created with the first ability.

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