Goblin Freerunner MTG Card

Goblin Freerunner - Oath of the Gatewatch

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Warrior Ally
Abilities	Menace,Surge
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	111
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne Reynolds

Key Takeaways

Goblin Freerunner can lead to card advantage with cost-efficient multi-spell turns.
Early game pressure is applied thanks to its 3/2 stats and resource acceleration.
Instant speed playstyle adaptability is enhanced by the surge mechanic synergy.

Text of card

Surge (You may cast this spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn.) Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

There are old goblins and ambitious goblins, but very few old, ambitious goblins.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The surge cost mechanic of Goblin Freerunner can lead to efficient multi-spell turns, potentially outpacing your opponent by deploying more threats per turn.

Resource Acceleration: As a 3/2 creature, Goblin Freerunner can contribute to consistent damage early in the game, essentially accelerating the depletion of the opponent’s resources in the form of life points.

Instant Speed: While Goblin Freerunner itself is not an instant, its surge mechanic rewards you for playing spells at instant speed by reducing its casting cost. This synergy allows for a dynamic playstyle, adjusting to the state of the game as it unfolds.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Goblin Freerunner card requires discarding another card to activate its surge ability, often leading to a depletion of your hand, which could be detrimental in the long run, especially if you don’t have a reliable card draw mechanism in place.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a specific red mana investment, which makes it a less flexible option for multi-colored decks or those that do not have consistent red mana sources. Ensuring a red mana at the right time can sometimes be a challenge, particularly in formats where mana fixing is less prevalent.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 3 and a red mana, the Goblin Freerunner’s cost-to-effect ratio might not always be favorable, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. There are alternatives with lower mana costs or those that offer additional abilities or higher power and toughness, making the card sometimes an inefficient choice in a tight mana curve.

Reasons to Include Goblin Freerunner in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Freerunner’s surge ability provides flexibility in gameplay, allowing you to cast it at a reduced cost under the right conditions. This card easily slots into aggressive decks that aim to deploy threats quickly and overwhelm opponents.

Combo Potential: Due to its synergy with spells that trigger when casting another red creature or spell, Goblin Freerunner enhances strategies that capitalize on casting multiple spells in a single turn. Its ability to come out early and provide pressure makes it a key piece in combo-centric builds.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, creatures that can be played efficiently and provide immediate impact are always in demand. Goblin Freerunner fits well into this paradigm, particularly in environments that favor fast-paced gameplay and creature-based tactics.

How to beat

Goblin Freerunner presents a unique challenge on the Magic: The Gathering battlefield with its surge ability, allowing a potentially reduced casting cost if another spell was cast in the same turn. Beating this card requires strategic play and awareness of your opponent’s mana availability. A strong method is to limit the number of spells your opponent can play in one turn, thereby making the surge cost harder to achieve. Control decks excel in this area, often including counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak to disrupt the opponent’s play sequence.

Another effective tactic is to remove the Freerunner from the battlefield as soon as it lands. Instant removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile provide a swift answer before the opponent can capitalize on the Freerunner’s aggressive nature. Additionally, board wipe spells such as Supreme Verdict can clear multiple threats at once, including the likes of Goblin Freerunner. Understanding when to hold back your removal spells and when to proactively use them against potential surge threats is key to overcoming this agile creature.

Ultimately, staying one step ahead of surge cards by managing your resources wisely and anticipating your opponent’s plan will consistently give you the upper hand and mitigate the impact of Goblin Freerunner in your games.

Cards like Goblin Freerunner

Goblin Freerunner, a creature card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, brings to mind several cards in terms of playability and style. For players familiar with the archetype, it draws a comparison with Goblin Heelcutter. Both cards share the goblin motif and an ability to disrupt the opponent’s defense. Heelcutter, while having an immediate impact by preventing a creature from blocking when it dashes onto the battlefield, doesn’t offer the permanent board presence that Freerunner does.

Another card that echoes the impact of Goblin Freerunner is Mog Flunkies. Mog Flunkies rely on other creatures to attack, presenting a challenge but also an opportunity for strategic deckbuilding. In contrast, Goblin Freerunner can operate independently, thanks to its Menace ability, making it harder to block and a more flexible choice in aggressive strategies. Despite these differences, each card has its benefits and can shine within various game plans.

When considering Goblin Freerunner’s place in MTG’s broad roster of creatures, its combination of the surge mechanic, which rewards playing multiple spells in a turn, and its Menace ability positions it uniquely for players that enjoy a tempo-based, aggressive game. It is this dynamic that sets Goblin Freerunner apart in the cohort of similar goblin-themed cards.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Freerunner MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Freerunner and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Freerunner has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-01-22	Casting a spell for its surge cost doesn’t change its mana cost or its converted mana cost.
2016-01-22	For some cards, surge represents only an alternative cost, a discount that applies if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn. Other cards, like Reckless Bushwhacker, have additional abilities or effects if you paid the surge cost to cast the spell.
2016-01-22	If an instant or sorcery spell cast for its surge cost is copied, the copy is also considered to have had its surge cost paid.
2016-01-22	The other spell that you or a teammate cast can be one that’s resolved, one that was countered, or (for instants with surge) one that’s still on the stack.