Box of Free-Range Goblins MTG Card


Box of Free-Range Goblins - Unstable
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Released2017-12-08
Set symbol
Set nameUnstable
Set codeUST
Number77
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderSilver
Illustred byChris Seaman
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin tokens from this card excel in swarm strategies, enhancing board state and creating persistent threats.
  2. Instant synergy potential allows for surprising plays and can give a strategic edge during battles.
  3. Despite its discard requirement and specific mana cost, it’s a solid inclusion in goblin-focused decks.

Text of card

Roll a six-sided die. Create a number of 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens equal to the result.

Skrab tried to warn his fellow goblins that the hammer was bait for a trap, but they stopped listening at "hammer."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unleashing a horde of goblins onto the battlefield with Box of Free-Range Goblins can snowball into card advantage as each goblin represents a potential threat your opponent must answer. Players valuing swarm tactics will find this cascade of creatures overwhelming and beneficial for bolstering their side of the playing field.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a way to shift the momentum of gameplay in your favor. It provides a sudden swell of goblin tokens that can immediately be used for various strategies, including ramping up to more powerful spells through sacrifice or other goblin-centric synergies that reward you for controlling a mass of creatures.

Instant Speed: While Box of Free-Range Goblins operates at sorcery speed, it aligns well with other instant-speed interactions in your deck. Paired with spells or abilities that can be activated at instant speed, this card sets the stage for dynamic plays, riotous comebacks, or simply adding surprise blockers to dismay your opponent’s attacking plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Box of Free-Range Goblins requires that you discard a card, which could prove to be a setback when your hand is already dwindling and you need to maintain options for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands red mana, which can be restrictive and may not seamlessly fit into decks that don’t heavily feature mountains or multi-colored mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying the Box of Free-Range Goblins entails a notable investment of four mana, which might not align with the tempo of faster, more aggressive decks looking to optimize every mana spent for maximum board presence or impact.


Reasons to Include Box of Free-Range Goblins in Your Collection

Versatility: Box of Free-Range Goblins offers flexibility in deck construction, easily sliding into various red or goblin-themed strategies. Its ability to quickly populate the board with creature tokens makes it an excellent fit for swarming tactics or decks that capitalize on having numerous creatures in play.

Combo Potential: The goblin tokens created by this card are ripe for synergy with numerous other cards that benefit from, or enable, powerful combos. They can be used to fuel sacrificial mechanics, amplify damage with effects that benefit from multiple creatures, or even as fodder for other goblin-related abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Given goblins’ historic presence in strong aggressive and combo decks, having Box of Free-Range Goblins means you’re ready to adapt to a meta that favors quick, creature-based strategies. With the ever-changing landscape of competitive play, this card could be an asset in responding to slower control decks.


How to beat

Box of Free-Range Goblins is a unique entry in the vast array of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to rapidly populate the board with goblin tokens presents a real challenge for any opponent. To effectively counter this card, it is crucial to manage the swarm of goblins it can unleash. Board-clearing spells like Shatter the Sky or Wrath of God can quickly eliminate the tokens generated, drastically reducing the threat. Additionally, spot removal spells are less efficient against this strategy; therefore, prioritize cards that can target multiple creatures at once or change the state of the game in your favor.

Another strategy is to limit the card’s impact by countering it before it resolves. Control decks equipped with counterspells like Dovin’s Veto or Negate can prevent Box of Free-Range Goblins from ever hitting the field. Moreover, continuous creature control through enchantments like Propaganda or Ghostly Prison can make it costly for those goblins to attack, putting the pressure back on your opponent.

A comprehensive approach that combines creature removal, counter magic, and preventive measures can provide a solid defense against the surging tide of goblins that Box of Free-Range Goblins aims to create in an MTG game.


Cards like Box of Free-Range Goblins

Box of Free-Range Goblins introduces a unique twist to the red creature token theme in MTG. At its core, it resonates with the essence of Krenko’s Command and Dragon Fodder, both of which create two Goblin tokens for two mana. What sets Box of Free-Range Goblins apart is its scalable effect, offering a surge of tokens for a greater mana investment, thus providing a potentially game-swinging boost in board presence.

Exploring further comparables, Siege-Gang Commander is worth mentioning. It provides not only a clutch of three Goblin tokens but also a body to wield. While it comes with a steeper casting cost, the immediate impact and added flexibility of direct damage it grants can dramatically alter the game’s tempo. Conversely, Hordeling Outburst falls somewhere in between, generating three tokens for three mana, striking a balance between quantity and mana efficiency without additional abilities.

When sizing up these options, Box of Free-Range Goblins could be considered a versatile tool in Goblin-based strategies, capable of overwhelming opponents with sheer token numbers under the right conditions. The myriad of choices in token-generating cards affirms the diversity and strategic depth players can explore within MTG’s plentiful card pool.

Krenko's Command - MTG Card versions
Dragon Fodder - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions
Hordeling Outburst - MTG Card versions
Krenko's Command - MTG Card versions
Dragon Fodder - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions
Hordeling Outburst - MTG Card versions

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Rain of Salt - MTG Card versions
Wildfire - MTG Card versions
Burning of Xinye - MTG Card versions
Wake of Destruction - MTG Card versions
Pulverize - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Wind - MTG Card versions
Liquid Fire - MTG Card versions
Chaotic Transformation - MTG Card versions
Slice and Dice - MTG Card versions
Surge to Victory - MTG Card versions
Reversal of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Mindblaze - MTG Card versions
Feral Lightning - MTG Card versions
Undying Flames - MTG Card versions
Rally the Horde - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Awakening - MTG Card versions
Jaws of Stone - MTG Card versions
Hellion Eruption - MTG Card versions
Death by Dragons - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Box of Free-Range Goblins MTG card by a specific set like Unstable, 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 Box of Free-Range Goblins and other MTG cards:

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