Goblin S.W.A.T. Team MTG Card

Unhinged (UNH)
2004-11-19 - Number 80

Goblin S.W.A.T. Team - Unsanctioned (UND)

Unsanctioned (UND)
2020-02-29 - Number 52

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Warrior
Power	2
Toughness	2
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

The card’s ability to disturb gameplay offers a mental advantage over the opponent.
At instant speed, its activation can impact the game’s outcome by disrupting opponent’s tactics.
Its requirement for players to engage in verbal interaction adds a playful, psychological layer to MTG.

Text of card

Say "Goblin S.W.A.T. Team": Put a +1/+1 counter on Goblin S.W.A.T. Team unless an opponent swats the table within five seconds. Play this ability only once each turn.

They put the "special" in special weapons and tactics.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin S.W.A.T. Team offers a unique form of card advantage as it allows players to interact with opponents during gameplay. Whether it’s through its cheeky flavor text requirement or its ability to encourage opponents to second-guess their word choices, this card adds a psychological edge that can disrupt opponents’ strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly increasing your mana pool, this card can indirectly accelerate your resources by dealing with opponents’ threats efficiently. At instant speed, it can remove a blocker or an attacker, potentially opening the path for your other creatures to deal damage or save your life points, optimizing your on-board resources.

Instant Speed: Instant-speed spells are crucial in MTG, and Goblin S.W.A.T. Team exemplifies this by offering a surprise element. You can activate its unique ability during your opponent’s turn, keeping them on their toes, making it a strategic asset in making quick, impactful decisions that could sway the game’s outcome.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin S.W.A.T. Team compels players to discard a card when its unique ability is triggered. This can be a significant drawback, especially in tight game scenarios where maintaining a full hand could mean the difference between victory and defeat. For those who value card advantage, this requirement could deter them from including the card in their decks.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Goblin S.W.A.T. Team, a player must have both red and generic mana available. This specific mana requirement makes it less versatile for inclusion in multi-colored decks that may not always have the necessary red mana. Players running decks with a wider color palette may find this a restrictive condition.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other cards in the same mana range providing potentially greater impact or value, the mana cost of Goblin S.W.A.T. Team can be a stumbling block. Players often measure a card’s efficiency by its impact relative to its mana cost. At a total cost that could summon creatures with stronger abilities or stats, some may consider the price for triggering the S.W.A.T. Team’s ability too steep.

Reasons to Include Goblin S.W.A.T. Team in Your Collection

Versatility: The clever design of Goblin S.W.A.T. Team allows it to slide effortlessly into numerous Goblin-themed decks, as well as those looking for a touch of humor and fun. Its ability to prompt interaction with opponents adds an unusual tactical layer to gameplay.

Combo Potential: In decks geared towards Goblins or those focused on untapping creatures, the Goblin S.W.A.T. Team can be an unexpected but potent piece. It has the potential to work in conjunction with cards that care about the number of times a player uses a particular word or action during a match.

Meta-Relevance: Although not the top contender in competitive scenes, it’s a card that can surprise an unprepared opponent. In casual circles or in formats where players enjoy quirky and thematic deck building, the Goblin S.W.A.T. Team offers a way to outmaneuver the opponent in both play and wit.

How to beat

Goblin S.W.A.T. Team is a unique creature card that adds a playful twist to a Magic: The Gathering match. This creature card prompts players to engage in a verbal mind game, daring opponents to say certain words. The key to countering this card lies in avid attentiveness and strategic silence. Unlike other creature cards that require raw power or removal spells to be taken down, beating Goblin S.W.A.T. Team demands psychological endurance and careful word choice during gameplay.

To effectively neutralize this card’s threat, maintaining composure under the S.W.A.T. Team’s pressure is crucial. Smart deck building can assist—include cards that limit interaction or thwart your opponent’s strategy without needing to speak, such as passive enchantments or abilities that activate without verbal commands. Furthermore, incorporating instant-speed removal spells allows you to respond decisively at the most opportune time, ideally when the opponent’s attentiveness lapses, rendering the Team’s ability moot.

Ultimately, victory against Goblin S.W.A.T. Team in MTG is achieved not merely through tactical plays but through mental fortitude, revealing another fascinating layer to the game’s strategic complexity.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin S.W.A.T. Team MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged and Unsanctioned, 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 S.W.A.T. Team and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin S.W.A.T. Team Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-11-19 and 2020-02-29. Illustrated by Eric Deschamps.