Spikeshot Goblin MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 108
2018-03-16 - Number 152
2019-11-07 - Number 1066
2023-08-04 - Number 256
2020-09-26 - Number A25-152
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Shaman |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
, : Spikeshot Goblin deals damage equal to its power to target creature or player.
The path of a goblin shaman is a journey through a thousand ways of hurting people.
Cards like Spikeshot Goblin
Spikeshot Goblin presents itself as a versatile creature option within the red arsenal of Magic: The Gathering. It shares the ability to deal damage directly to any target with creatures like Prodigal Pyromancer. However, Spikeshot Goblin has the unique characteristic of tying its damage potential to its power, giving it a variable and often higher damage output. Compared to Prodigal Pyromancer’s consistent one damage per tap, Spikeshot Goblin can become a more formidable force with power-boosting equipment or enchantments.
Looking at Cunning Sparkmage, another card with a similar tap-for-damage feature, Spikeshot Goblin again distinguishes itself. While Cunning Sparkmage can only deal a static one damage, Spikeshot Goblin can escalate its damage potential through buffs and synergy with other cards. This makes it a prime candidate for decks focusing on “power matters” themes, enabling it to outpace cards with a fixed damage rate.
In summary, Spikeshot Goblin has a capacity for damage output that scales with its power, offering strategic depth and interaction with other cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to adapt and evolve in-game makes it a unique inclusion in decks that are built around enhancing creature power.
Cards similar to Spikeshot Goblin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Spikeshot Goblin offers a repeatable source of damage that can help control the board. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, its ability to target creatures and players maintains pressure, indirectly leading to card advantage by dealing with potential threats efficiently.
Resource Acceleration: In decks centered around buffing creature power, Spikeshot Goblin effectively converts power-boosting spells and abilities into potential damage. By investing in the power of a single creature, you’re accelerating the resources you commit to the board by making every point of power an additional point of damage.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Spikeshot Goblin’s activated ability being used at instant speed is particularly advantageous. It enables players to respond to actions during the opponent’s turn, offering strategic advantages such as eliminating key creatures before they can contribute to your opponent’s plans or even sniping unprotected planeswalkers.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spikeshot Goblin’s ability hinges on the creature having a high power stat, often necessitating buffs or equipment. This can lead to a card disadvantage as you may have to discard cards to pump its power.
Specific Mana Cost: This Goblin requires both red mana for casting and activation, restricting it to red or multi-colored decks and limiting its versatility across various MTG formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing three mana into Spikeshot Goblin can be steep, especially considering modern MTG’s fast-paced environment where lower-cost creatures with immediate effects are preferred.
Reasons to Include Spikeshot Goblin in Your Collection
Versatility: Spikeshot Goblin offers flexible gameplay, capable of fitting into multiple red-based decks. Its ability to deal damage to any target provides strategic options for board control and direct player damage, making it a utility player in various situations.
Combo Potential: With the right set-up, such as equipment or enchantments that increase its power, Spikeshot Goblin becomes a potent source of repeatable damage. Pairing it with cards that untap creatures or double activated abilities can lead to devastating combos and unexpected wins.
Meta-Relevance: Although its direct impact depends on the shifting tides of your local metagame, Spikeshot Goblin can remain a relevant sideboard card against creature-heavy decks or in environments where removal of key targets is crucial for maintaining an advantage.
How to beat
Spikeshot Goblin is a unique MTG card with a formidable ability that allows players to deal damage directly proportional to its power to any target. The key to counter this creature successfully lies in reducing its power or eliminating it swiftly from the battlefield. Creature removal spells are especially effective against the Goblin, ensuring it can’t be boosted or utilized to chip away at your life total. Suitable removal options include instant-speed spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy before they can capitalize on the Goblin’s ability.
Another strategy involves countering equipment or enchantment spells aimed at increasing Spikeshot Goblin’s power. By keeping its power low, you minimize the damage it can do. This also means being vigilant about the board state and denying the opponent the chance to combine the Goblin with cards that can exponentially increase its threat level. Therefore, by prioritizing early disruption and preventing power boosts, you can maintain control over Spikeshot Goblin and diminish its impact on the game.
Considering these angles, a balanced approach that combines creature removal with proactive countermeasures against power enhancement can effectively nullify the threat posed by Spikeshot Goblin, keeping your MTG matches tilted in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spikeshot Goblin MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Masters 25, 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 Spikeshot 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
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Printings
The Spikeshot Goblin Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 108 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alan Pollack | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 152 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Kang | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1066 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Kang | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | A25-152 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Kang | ||
| 5 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 256 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alan Pollack |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spikeshot Goblin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spikeshot Goblin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-03-16 | Spikeshot Goblin’s power is determined as its ability resolves. If Spikeshot Goblin has left the battlefield, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield. |