Frenzied Goblin MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Berserker
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Strategic gameplay flourishes with Frenzied Goblin, turning combat phases to your advantage.
  2. Versatility and effectiveness heighten within red aggro decks seeking flexible control.
  3. Effective counters include instant removal spells and strategic creature selection.

Text of card

Whenever Frenzied Goblin attacks, you may pay . If you do, target creature can't block this turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Frenzied Goblin doesn’t directly offer card drawing capabilities, but it does enable strategic plays that can disrupt your opponent’s board, indirectly leading to card advantage. For example, by force denying an opponent’s potential blocker, you can pave the way for more of your creatures to deal combat damage, possibly drawing cards with other synergistic card effects.

Resource Acceleration: While Frenzied Goblin itself isn’t a direct source of mana or resources, it offers tactical advantage which can translate into resource acceleration. It forces your opponent to decide whether to pay the cost to block, potentially setting them back in resources and allowing you to maintain tempo or accelerate your board state with less interference.

Instant Speed: Frenzied Goblin’s ability may not be at instant speed, yet it adds significant flexibility during the combat phase. Its activated ability can be used whenever it attacks, giving you the opportunity to make real-time decisions that can greatly impact the outcome of each turn. This control over combat can create pressure and force your opponent to react hastily to your maneuvers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though not a feature of Frenzied Goblin, cards with discard requirements can pose a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Frenzied Goblin needs red mana to play, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can consistently provide that color, reducing its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost relative to its abilities, one might weigh if the investment is worth the return, particularly when other low-cost creatures could offer comparable or superior board presence.


Reasons to Include Frenzied Goblin in Your Collection

Versatility: This fiery little creature brings a unique tactical angle to red aggro decks. With the ability to disrupt opponent’s blockers, Frenzied Goblin adapts to various in-game situations, making it a fitting addition for players looking for flexible board control options.

Combo Potential: The Goblin’s singular ability pairs wonderfully with effects that capitalize on unblocked attackers, such as cards that benefit from dealing combat damage to a player. This opens up opportunities to build around and enhance synergistic plays within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: Although meta shifts frequently, decks featuring small, aggressive creatures often persist as formidable strategies. In metas crowded with larger creatures, the Frenzied Goblin can carve a path for crucial attacks, maintaining its relevance by tipping combat scenarios in your favor.


How to beat

Frenzied Goblin presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, as it has the ability to disrupt your defensive game plan by preventing specific blockers from engaging during combat. This goblin can be particularly bothersome when used as part of a larger, aggressive strategy, often seen in red deck builds known for their quick and powerful assaults.

To effectively counteract Frenzied Goblin, consider using instant removal spells that can take it out before the combat phase, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. Another tactic involves employing creatures with reach or those that can’t be targeted by abilities of opponent’s creatures, helping to ensure a reliable line of defense remains intact against this pesky goblin’s antics. Additionally, maintaining a healthy life total and utilizing lifelink creatures can also mitigate the impact of its ability, as it tends to lose effectiveness in longer, more drawn-out games.

In essence, the key to beating Frenzied Goblin lies in proactive removal, strategic defensive measures, and ensuring the battlefield presence through creatures that can either evade its ability or withstand the early aggressive onslaught long enough to take control of the game’s pace.


Cards like Frenzied Goblin

Frenzied Goblin holds its ground in the red creature category, particularly among cards that control combat scenarios. A prime comparison is made with Goblin Heelcutter. While the Heelcutter also disrupts blockers, it does so by temporarily removing a creature from blocking and comes with a higher mana cost. Frenzied Goblin offers a more nuanced control, demanding only one red mana to activate its ability and enabling targeted influence on the battlefield.

Looking at a different angle, there’s Goblin Cohort, a creature that shares the goblin synergy but trades battlefield control for a more aggressive play strategy. It costs less but requires you to play a creature each turn to keep attacking. This underscores Frenzied Goblin’s utility in games where maintaining momentum is crucial. Finally, there’s the recently introduced Goblin Diplomats. Each has unique tactics for manipulating combat, but the Diplomats can force opponents into unfavorable attacks, contrasting with Frenzied Goblin’s singular focus on blocking strategies.

Through this overview, it’s clear that while there are numerous goblin choices, Frenzied Goblin’s ability to dictate combat terms adds a layer of strategic depth that can edge out opponents in close fights.

Goblin Heelcutter - MTG Card versions
Goblin Cohort - MTG Card versions
Goblin Diplomats - MTG Card versions
Goblin Heelcutter - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Goblin Cohort - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Goblin Diplomats - Magic 2014 Promos (PM14)

Cards similar to Frenzied Goblin 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
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - 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)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Goblin Guide - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Skirk Prospector - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Frenzied Goblin MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Salvat 2005, 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 Frenzied Goblin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Frenzied Goblin Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 557032015normalblackKev Walker
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I162003normalwhiteCarl Critchlow
32005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 1252003normalblackCarl Critchlow
42014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1422015normalblackCarl Critchlow
52014-09-05Duel Decks: Speed vs. CunningDDN 22015normalblackCarl Critchlow
62018-03-16Masters 25A25 1312015normalblackRandy Vargas
72018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 812015normalblackCarl Critchlow
82022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5362015normalblackRandy Vargas
92024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 1352015normalblackRandy Vargas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Frenzied Goblin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-03-16 Frenzied Goblin’s ability has only one target. You can’t pay multiple times to stop multiple creatures from blocking.

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