Goblin Goliath MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Goblin Mutant
Power 5
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Goliath boosts card advantage, enhancing red spells for greater impact per card played.
  2. It fuels resource acceleration, allowing spells to achieve more with less—critical in tight matches.
  3. Despite not having instant speed activation, it fortifies instant speed plays with stronger damage output.

Text of card

When Goblin Goliath enters the battlefield, create a number of 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens equal to the number of opponents you have. , : If a source you control would deal damage to an opponent this turn, it deals double that damage to that player instead.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Goliath has a unique edge, as it can significantly impact your card advantage. Its ability to empower other red spells with increased damage bolsters the effect of every card you cast, efficiently maximizing the potential of each spell in your hand. This aspect makes it both a threat and a strategical asset in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: The legendary creature excels in resource acceleration. By enabling your spells to deal extra damage, you effectively use fewer resources to achieve the same outcome— the potential damage increase per spell saves you from expending additional cards to control the board or finish off an opponent.

Instant Speed: Goblin Goliath’s singular ability may not be utilized at instant speed, but its passive effect supports the instant speed plays inherent in a red deck. It assures that your instant speed removal or damage spells pack a harder punch, allowing for more efficient turn management and the ability to surprise your opponents with amplified responses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Goblin Goliath requires careful hand management since activating its ability necessitates discarding your own cards. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already depleted or every card counts towards your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This red-heavy creature demands a strict mana base, which can complicate deck building for multi-colored strategies. Accessing the exact combination of mana to cast this card efficiently may prove challenging in diverse decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost and ability activation that’s quite mana-intensive, Goblin Goliath’s overall cost can be burdensome. This may slow down your game plan as there are other creatures and spells that offer similar or greater impact for less mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Goliath’s ability to enhance other goblins in your deck offers a dynamic boost to tribal strategies, aligning perfectly with decks centered around these enthusiastic creatures.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique ability to increase the damage done by other goblins not only synergizes well within tribal decks but also combines effectively with spells that capitalize on damage output, creating opportunities for explosive combo finishes.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where goblins are a competitive archetype, Goblin Goliath’s power-enhancing ability can transform an already fast-paced game plan into an even more formidable force, keeping your collection up to speed with the current meta.


How to beat

Goblin Goliath presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature can elevate the damage dealing of all your spells, making it an asset in any red-centric deck keen on dealing massive damage. When you’re up against this card, consider employing removal spells that can bypass its effects. Strategies like using “Unsummon” to return it to its owner’s hand or “Murder” to eliminate it outright before its ability can be activated are effective counters.

Moreover, negating the card’s activated abilities with cards like “Pithing Needle” can neuter its impact on the game. It’s vital to remember that once Goblin Goliath hits the table, the priority shifts to dealing with it as swiftly as possible. In multi-player games, coordinating with others to manage the threat it poses can mitigate the pressure it puts on any single opponent. Lastly, don’t overlook the power of board wipes – spells like “Wrath of God” can clear multiple threats, including this Goliath, thereby resetting the state of play to your advantage.

In essence, countering Goblin Goliath requires both preemptive action against its casting and decisive responses once it takes to the field. Control, foresight, and collaboration are your allies in overcoming this giant of the goblin tribe.


Cards like Goblin Goliath

Goblin Goliath is a unique creature entity in the world of Magic: The Gathering, sharing the stage with other formidable red creatures. It stands shoulder to shoulder with cards like Siege-Gang Commander, which also centers around Goblin synergy but with a different approach. While Siege-Gang Commander excels in producing multiple Goblin tokens, Goblin Goliath’s strength lies in its ability to empower other Goblins with its pump-up effect.

Another peer in the goblin suite is Krenko, Mob Boss, an iconic card known for its potency in multiplying the red horde. Compared to Krenko, Goblin Goliath lacks the exponential token generation but compensates with its potential for immediate board impact. Moving to spell-like relations, we find Battle Hymn, which also intensifies your red mana pool based on the number of creatures you control, akin to Goblin Goliath’s mana abilities, albeit being a non-creature spell.

Ultimately, Goblin Goliath offers a solid option for those looking to enhance their creature-based strategies, especially within a Goblin deck. It might not create creatures like its counterparts, but its mix of mana ramp and creature buffing brings a tactical advantage worth considering for red-focused players.

Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions
Krenko, Mob Boss - MTG Card versions
Battle Hymn - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - Scourge (SCG)
Krenko, Mob Boss - Magic 2013 (M13)
Battle Hymn - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Goliath MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Game Night, 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 Goblin Goliath and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Goliath Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2018-11-16. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 707832015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
22018-11-16Game NightGNT 42015normalblackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Goliath has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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