Slingshot Goblin MTG Card


Slingshot Goblin - Planeshift
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Released2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set namePlaneshift
Set codePLS
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number72
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJeff Easley

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts board control through direct creature damage, providing incremental advantage and gameplay disruption.
  2. Its instant speed activation enhances versatility, allowing for strategic reactions during opponents’ turns.
  3. Requires careful management of resources due to card discard and specific activation costs.

Text of card

o R, oc T: Slingshot Goblin deals 2 damage to target blue creature.

It's most effective when it doesn't eat the ammunition.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Slingshot Goblin’s ability to ping creatures can create an incremental advantage over time, effectively dealing with your opponent’s smaller creatures and eventually clearing the board to leave you with superior card quality.

Resource Acceleration: While Slingshot Goblin itself does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its capacity to keep the board clear may allow you to better deploy your resources elsewhere, ramping up your gameplay more efficiently.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Slingshot Goblin at instant speed makes this card incredibly versatile, allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves during their turn, potentially disrupting their strategies and preserving the element of surprise in your gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Slingshot Goblin demands that you discard a card to activate its ability. This can deplete your hand and hinder your game strategy, especially when you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This goblin card requires a precise mana investment to utilize its ability. Given that its activation cost is red, it might not fit smoothly into multi-colored decks that could struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demand of three mana to play and an additional one red mana to activate, Slingshot Goblin can be costly when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Its utility may not provide the same level of impact as other cards which could serve your deck more synergistically or provide greater versatility.


Reasons to Include Slingshot Goblin in Your Collection

Versatility: Slingshot Goblin offers a flexible role in multiple archetypes, finding a home in decks that favor disruptive tactics. It’s well-suited for pinging small creatures or finishing off weakened opponents.

Combo Potential: This goblin pairs nicely with cards that generate token creatures, thereby providing a consistent source of ammunition for its ability. This synergy escalates the potential for controlling the board and keeping the path clear for your aggressors.

Meta-Relevance: Its relevance shifts with the prevalence of token and swarm strategies. In a meta teeming with utility creatures and token generators, Slingshot Goblin can serve as an efficient removal tool while applying constant pressure on your adversary’s resources.


How to beat

Slingshot Goblin is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to deal damage to flying creatures – a feature that can make it a thorn in the side of any aerial strategy. While this card might initially seem intimidating, especially to those fond of soaring creatures, there are reliable ways to neutralize its impact on the game.

Spot removal spells are the most straightforward tactic to remove Slingshot Goblin from the battlefield. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can efficiently address the threat it poses without much fuss. Alternatively, countering it before it even lands can save you from its troublesome ability. Counterspells like Mana Leak or Negate work perfectly here.

Dealing with Slingshot Goblin can also involve going around its abilities by fortifying your creatures. Buffing your flying creatures with enchantments or instants that provide hexproof or indestructibility can render Slingshot Goblin’s ability moot, as it can no longer target and destroy your strengthened creatures.

Navigating around Slingshot Goblin requires a blend of timely removal, strategic counters, and proactive protection of your creatures. Implementing these strategies effectively can ensure that the sling-wielding menace doesn’t overwhelm your game plan.


Cards like Slingshot Goblin

Slingshot Goblin presents an interesting niche within the realm of red creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to fellow goblins like Goblin Fireslinger and Mogg Fanatic, which similarly offer the option to deal direct damage to creatures or players. Yet, the Slingshot Goblin’s unique twist lies in the reach ability, allowing it to target flying creatures, sometimes giving it an aerial advantage over its counterparts.

Comparing these, Mogg Fanatic sacrifices itself to deal damage, whereas Fireslinger taps for a consistent, albeit lower, damage output. Slingshot Goblin requires both a tap and the flinging of a goblin, but compensates with potential for higher damage dealt, particularly handy in focused goblin decks.

Overall, for players wielding goblin-centric strategies, Slingshot Goblin can be a prudent choice thanks to its ability to disrupt opponents with flying threats, setting itself apart within its creature category in MTG. Its inclusion in a deck can turn a simple goblin into a strategic projectile, showcasing the cunning and versatility of goblin-kind in the game.

Goblin Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Goblin Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions

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

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Slingshot Goblin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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