Swab Goblin MTG Card


Swab Goblin - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Pirate
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number203
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJosu Hernaiz

Key Takeaways

  1. Swab Goblin can provide card advantage and fit into creature-based strategies for diverse deck builds.
  2. Its specific mana cost and abilities have implications for deckbuilding, influencing versatility and power.
  3. In the right context, this goblin can boost spell-slinging playstyles and adapt to the competitive meta.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Swab Goblin offers players an immediate presence on the board and the ability to potentially draw extra cards if the card’s triggered ability can be leveraged effectively. This generates a level of card advantage by increasing the number of cards at your disposal relative to your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Swab Goblin itself may not produce additional mana, it can be a key piece in strategies built around sacrificing creatures for benefits, therefore acting as a catalyst for resource acceleration in certain deck archetypes.

Instant Speed: Though Swab Goblin is a creature card and not cast at instant speed, any abilities it may grant to other cards or the ability it holds could interact favorably in the timing dynamics of the game, offering you strategic advantages at the speed of instant interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Swab Goblin requires sacrificing another card from your hand, which could set you back if you’re already behind on card advantage or desperately need all the options available to you.

Specific Mana Cost: Swab Goblin demands a certain composition of mana, including red, which can be restrictive. This requirement can make it a less versatile choice, particularly in multi-colored decks that may struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you assess the mana investment against what Swab Goblin delivers on the battlefield, the cost may seem steep. Other cards in the game might provide a greater impact or contribute more significantly to your board presence for the same or lower mana expenditure.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Swab Goblin offers utility in diverse deck builds. As a creature, it fits snugly into strategies that hinge upon tribal synergies or those that rely on a critical mass of creatures on the board.

Combo Potential: This goblin may interact with cards that capitalize on the presence or sacrifice of creatures. Whether you’re empowering a big play or fueling a synergy, Swab Goblin can be a key piece.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where small, cost-effective creatures with additional benefits are prized, Swab Goblin holds its own. Its inherent flexibility can adapt to various metagame shifts, making it a smart addition for players keen on competitive play.


How to beat

The Swab Goblin card offers a unique challenge on the battlefield, providing players not just with a creature but also utility that can be crucial during gameplay. This card may not seem like a formidable opponent at first glance, but its synergies with goblin and pirate decks can surprise unprepared players. When facing Swab Goblin, one effective strategy is to limit its ability to multiply or interact with other creatures on the board. Direct removal spells, sweepers, or even bounce spells are excellent for disrupting your opponent’s board presence.

Spot removal cards like “Fatal Push” or “Path to Exile” are good answers to Swab Goblin before it starts generating value. For those playing in a blue strategy, countering integral spells that amplify Swab Goblin’s effectiveness can give you an edge. Also, utilizing cards that restrict creature abilities can be a game-changer by negating any advantageous triggers from the goblin. Ultimately, managing the Swab Goblin revolves around keeping the board controlled and preventing your opponent from leveraging the goblin synergies to their full potential.


Cards like Swab Goblin

Swab Goblin joins a lineage of red creature cards with an impact on play dynamics in Magic: The Gathering. Reflecting on similar cards, we have Raging Goblin, which offers haste, allowing for immediate impact on the board. While Swab Goblin lacks haste, it compensates with the prowess mechanic, incentivizing spell casting to bolster its power.

Goblin Banneret is another kin in the goblin family tree, showcasing mentor as a way to strengthen your other creatures during combat. Swab Goblin, contrastingly, doesn’t provide direct support to allies, but can potentially become stronger itself with each noncreature spell cast. Then we encounter Legion Loyalist, which grants battalion and other combat benefits when attacking with at least two other creatures. Unlike Swab Goblin, it emphasizes teamwork over individual prowess progression.

Analyzing Swab Goblin’s abilities in relation to its relatives, it’s apparent that its unique advantage lies in the synergy with spell-slinging strategies. It might not have the immediacy of Raging Goblin or the supportive role of Goblin Banneret, but it holds its own within the spell-reliant playstyle typically seen in red decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Banneret - MTG Card versions
Legion Loyalist - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)
Goblin Banneret - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Legion Loyalist - Gatecrash (GTC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Swab Goblin MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Swab Goblin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Swab Goblin has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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