Goblin Bushwhacker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities Kicker
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Bushwhacker excels in aggressive strategies, boosting early-game creature attacks for overwhelming pressure.
  2. Its low mana cost and kicker option offer strategic flexibility in pivotal game moments, enhancing its appeal.
  3. Despite its pros, its color specificity and kicker cost may limit use in diverse mana decks or tight curves.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) When Goblin Bushwhacker enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, creatures you control get +1/+0 and gain haste until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The strength of Goblin Bushwhacker lies more in its surge potential than direct card advantage. However, it effectively amplifies the value of other creatures you control by providing an immediate attack bonus which can lead to advantageous board states.

Resource Acceleration: Goblin Bushwhacker itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration. Yet, its low mana cost makes it an excellent addition to strategies that aim to deploy multiple creatures quickly. The kicker ability also affords flexibility, making it a resource-savvy choice during crucial turns.

Instant Speed: While the card is a creature and not an instant, its kicker ability has the same surprising impact when you cast it. Goblin Bushwhacker can catch opponents off-guard, enabling a swift and boosted attack phase that can rapidly shift the game’s momentum in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The card doesn’t inherently require discard but may compel deck builders to incorporate ways to refill the hand, as swarming the battlefield can quickly deplete a player’s resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Bushwhacker requires a red mana investment, making it a less versatile option in multi-colored decks that may not always have red mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the kicker cost offers a substantial tempo boost, dedicating two mana for its enhanced effect could be costly when racing against decks that operate on leaner mana curves.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Bushwhacker offers a swift boost to your attacking force, making it a flexible addition to aggressive decks that thrive on early pressure.

Combo Potential: This card excels when combined with creature-heavy strategies, multiplying the threat level with its powerful kick ability, which can turn the tide of a game in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: As aggro decks continue to occupy a significant place in the competitive landscape, Goblin Bushwhacker remains a potent tool for capitalizing on a board full of creatures and securing victories in swift and decisive fashion.


How to beat

Goblin Bushwhacker is a popular card in the goblin tribal decks of Magic: The Gathering, known for its explosive damage potential when kicked and summoning multiple goblins in a single turn. To counter this strategy effectively, a player must disrupt the deck’s synergy early on. Utilizing cheap removal spells to eliminate key goblin pieces before they can amass or receive the Bushwhacker’s bonus is a foundational tactic.

Board wipes also prove invaluable against swarms of goblins. Spells such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can reset the board, leaving your opponent without the necessary creatures to amplify the Bushwhacker’s power. Additionally, spot removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are critical in maintaining control of the board against individual threats.

Mindful positioning also plays a crucial role. Planning your plays, holding back certain spells as reactive measures, and making smart trades during combat can all thwart a goblin-laden assault. In summation, mitigating the early buildup, employing targeted removal, and strategic gameplay enable players to consistently handle the rush that Goblin Bushwhacker presents in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the frenetic pace of MTG and unleash the explosive potential of Goblin Bushwhacker in your goblin tribal decks. As you curate your collection, consider the synergy, board impact, and the pure rush of converting a silent board into a roaring battlefield. Embrace the art of the blitzkrieg, refine your tactics, and optimize your mana curve to bring opponents to their knees quickly. Whether you seek to enhance your aggressive playstyle or counteract common strategies, understanding this card is paramount. Ready to master the art of the rush? Advance your knowledge and strategy with us and witness your game transform.


Cards like Goblin Bushwhacker

Goblin Bushwhacker holds a unique place in the goblin-themed decks of Magic: The Gathering. It bears comparison to other goblin cards such as Goblin Piledriver and Warren Instigator, which also harbor the might to turn the tide of a match. Goblin Bushwhacker distinguishes itself with its “Kicker” cost that, when paid, grants other creatures haste and a boost in attack power for a turn. This is a swift and powerful play, particularly in aggressive red deck strategies.

Reckless Bushwhacker is another related card, which similarly can give other creatures a surge of power and haste when it’s surged onto the battlefield. Though the surge mechanic requires you to have played another spell first, it can often lead to unexpectedly quick victories. Comparatively, Goblin Bushwhacker provides a more straightforward advantage, without the precondition of playing another spell that same turn.

In review, if one sizes up the strategic advantages and the quick-strike potential of various red creature cards, Goblin Bushwhacker shines as a quintessential choice in swift MTG goblin decks, aligning nicely with players’ desires to push for an abrupt and decisive win. Its blend of affordable mana cost and impactful effect when kicked makes it a consistent choice for aggressive red strategies.

Goblin Piledriver - MTG Card versions
Warren Instigator - MTG Card versions
Reckless Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Goblin Piledriver - Onslaught (ONS)
Warren Instigator - Zendikar (ZEN)
Reckless Bushwhacker - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

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

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Goblin Digging Team - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Goblin Artisans - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Goblin Digging Team - The Dark (DRK)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Goblin Artisans - Rinascimento (RIN)
Gorilla Shaman - Coldsnap Theme Decks (CST)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Orcish Conscripts - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Roc Hatchling - Weatherlight (WTH)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Grim Lavamancer - Torment (TOR)
Enslaved Dwarf - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Goblin Guide - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Bushwhacker MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Bushwhacker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Bushwhacker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 1252003normalblackMark Tedin
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 172015normalblackMike Uziel
32020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 522003normalblackMark Tedin
42020-09-26The ListPLST ZEN-1252003normalblackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Bushwhacker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2009-10-01 Only creatures you control as Goblin Bushwhacker’s ability resolves are affected. This includes Goblin Bushwhacker itself, unless it already left the battlefield by then.

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