Shambling Goblin MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 118
2016-08-26 - Number 148
2019-11-07 - Number 770
2020-07-17 - Number 277
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-118
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Goblin |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Shambling Goblin dies, target creature an opponent controls gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
"The Kolaghan send them at us. We kill and raise them. They fight the next wave the Kolaghan send. It's a neat little cycle." —Asmala, Silumgar sorcerer
Cards like Shambling Goblin
Shambling Goblin is an intriguing creature in MTG that offers both a low-cost zombie option and a means to disrupt an opponent’s board when it dies. This one-mana black card shares traits with Festering Goblin, another card that allows the manipulation of combat math through its death trigger effect. The key difference lies in the fact that Festering Goblin offers a choice in the target of the -1/-1 counter, while Shambling Goblin restricts its effect to a single targetable opponent creature.
Comparatively, Sultai Emissary is a creature that brings a touch more value upon death by manifesting the top card of your library. While it doesn’t directly interact with the opponent’s creatures like the aforementioned goblins, it does provide a potential surprise element that could turn into another creature. Then we have Butcher Ghoul, arriving on the battlefield with undying, and promising a return with a +1/+1 counter if it hasn’t already died. Its resilience offers a different approach to board presence than the enter-the-battlefield or death-triggered effects presented by Shambling Goblin.
In essence, while each of these cards incorporates a form of utility upon death or exit from the battlefield, Shambling Goblin’s ability to target specific threats makes it a noteworthy option for MTG decks aiming for strategic removal and tempo advantage.
Cards similar to Shambling Goblin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shambling Goblin may appear as a simple creature, but upon its demise, it lets you pick off an opponent’s key creature with one toughness, essentially giving you a two-for-one trade. This can be critical in tipping the scales in your favor by reducing the number of threats on the board while maintaining your hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Shambling Goblin does not directly accelerate your mana, it can be a cost-efficient way to trigger morbid or other death-related abilities. It synergizes well with cards that benefit from creatures dying or entering the graveyard, thereby indirectly accelerating your resource gain and overall board state.
Instant Speed: The ability to use Shambling Goblin’s effect at instant speed—thanks to its death trigger—gives you strategic flexibility. You can block an attacking creature, and decide which opponent’s creature will get the -1/-1 upon Goblin’s death, potentially disrupting their strategy during their combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Shambling Goblin might seem an ideal chump blocker, sacrificing it without a strategic plan can backfire. Discarding at inopportune moments due to a subpar block can be detrimental to your hand and overall strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring black mana to cast, Shambling Goblin’s utility is primarily bound within mono-black or multicolored decks that can accommodate the mana type. This requirement potentially restricts its application across the broader range of available MTG decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although considered low at a single mana, when evaluating its impact on the board, it might seem inefficient. Other creatures or spells available at a similar cost may provide a more significant effect or better stats, thus potentially relegating Shambling Goblin to a less favorable position in your deck-building considerations.
Reasons to Include Shambling Goblin in Your Collection
Versatility: Shambling Goblin serves multiple roles, performing well in decks that exploit death triggers or need early board presence. Its ability to fit into various zombie tribal and aristocrat strategies makes it a useful utility card.
Combo Potential: The card’s death trigger, which gives a creature -1/-1 until end of turn, can be combined with other effects to remove key creatures or enable sacrifice synergies within your strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with numerous aggressive one-toughness creatures, Shambling Goblin can act as an excellent deterrent, setting back your opponent’s early game momentum while providing you with a strategic edge.
How to beat
The Shambling Goblin presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card from the expansive MTG universe, it’s ideal for those looking to synergize with zombie or sacrifice-themed decks. With its ability to target a creature and give it -1/-1 upon death, the Goblin can strategically disrupt opponent’s boards, especially when dealing with creatures that rely on counters to thrive.
Nevertheless, there are several tactics to outmaneuver this pesky goblin. Board control spells or effects that exile rather than destroy can neutralize the goblin without triggering its potent death ability. Additionally, cards that can buff your creatures, even slightly, can ensure they survive the Goblin’s effect, turning what could be a deficit into a steadfast board presence. It’s also worth considering the timing of removing this undead nuisance, opting to do so when the opponent has a barren field, thus nullifying the Goblin’s impact.
In essence, understanding the subtle interplays and knowing when to pull the trigger on removal, or employing preventative strategies, keeps the Shambling Goblin from disturbing the rhythm of your game, allowing you to maintain an advantage over your adversary in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shambling Goblin MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Shambling Goblin and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Shambling Goblin Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 118 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 770 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 277 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | DTK-118 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shambling Goblin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |