Goblin Swine-Rider MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	81
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Geofrey Darrow & I. Rabarot

Key Takeaways

Goblin Swine-Rider enables board control and potential card advantage through its disruptive abilities.
Demands precise mana, risking hand depletion and can be costly compared to similar creatures.
Its unique properties offer deck versatility and combo potential, especially in creature-focused metagames.

Text of card

If Goblin Swine-Rider is blocked, it deals 2 damage to each attacking creature and 2 damage to each blocking creature.

"May you get the mount you deserve." —Suq'Ata curse

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Swine-Rider offers a tactical edge by enabling the player to impact the board state while possibly generating card advantage. Its unique abilities can turn the tide of the game by disrupting your opponent’s strategy, keeping your hand replenished with resources.

Resource Acceleration: With the ability to potentially alter mana costs or generate additional effects when it enters the battlefield or attacks, this card can accelerate your resources, allowing for a more aggressive game plan or quicker access to your higher-cost spells.

Instant Speed: The card’s mechanics may incorporate instant speed interactions, providing flexibility and surprise. This means you can react promptly to your opponent’s moves during their turn, adapt to evolving gameplay, and make decisions based on complete information. The ability to act at instant speed ensures you maintain tempo and can disrupt your opponent while keeping up the pressure.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Goblin Swine-Rider, you might find yourself in a bind having to discard a card to fulfill its activation cost. This can deplete your hand unnecessarily and disadvantage you, especially in late-game scenarios when each card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Swine-Rider demands a specific combination of mana types to cast. This restriction requires red mana, which can be problematic in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the card has the unique flavor and abilities associated with goblins, its mana cost is on the higher side when compared to other creatures in its class. Other goblin cards or creatures offer similar or better abilities at a lower mana investment, potentially making Goblin Swine-Rider less favorable in a deck designed for efficiency.

Reasons to Include Goblin Swine-Rider in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Swine-Rider is a unique addition to any deck looking for flexible card abilities. Its capacity to act as both an early blocker and a source of direct damage allows it to adapt to a variety of in-game situations, making it a multifunctional choice for your red deck strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with cards that capitalize on self-sacrificing creatures or damage-dealing effects. It can synergize with effects that trigger upon a creature’s death or damage dealt to a player or creature, enhancing gameplay dynamics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that emphasizes creature-based combat, the Goblin Swine-Rider can be a handy tool to tip the scales in your favor. Its ability to influence the battlefield by taking out key targets or clearing the board gives it a substantial role in current deck-building considerations.

How to beat

The Goblin Swine-Rider may not be the most formidable opponent in Magic: The Gathering, but knowing how to counter this unique card is beneficial for any player. With its relatively low toughness, one straightforward strategy is to take advantage of direct damage spells. Spells such as Shock or Lightning Bolt can easily dispatch the rider without much investment, effectively removing it from the battlefield.

Furthermore, the key lies in circumventing its ability to wreak havoc by preventing it from blocking. Instead, focus your attacks when the rider is unable to defend. Utilizing spells that restrict an opponent’s creatures from blocking for a turn, like Sleep or Blinding Spray, can ensure safe passage for your attacking forces. Additionally, the inclusion of spells that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures can neutralize the rider without triggering any detrimental effects.

Lastly, keep in mind that removing the rider before it can collaborate with other goblin synergies is crucial. Decks that deploy numerous goblins tend to build momentum quickly. Therefore, swiftly dealing with the Goblin Swine-Rider is paramount in preventing the development of overwhelming goblin assaults. With these strategies, players can nullify the threat imposed by this peculiar creature and maintain control over the game.

Cards like Goblin Swine-Rider

When diving into the roguish and unpredictable world of goblins in Magic the Gathering, Goblin Swine-Rider stands out in its quirky way. The card draws a parallel to other goblin-themed cards such as Goblin Balloon Brigade, which grants flying until end of turn, offering tactical advantages in the air. However, the Swine-Rider prefers mayhem on the ground, potentially wreaking havoc on all creatures with its damage output.

Goblin Artillery is another card with a resemblance, yet it targets single creatures or players with its damage. Contrarily, Goblin Swine-Rider does not discriminate, hitting each and every creature on the battlefield which can be both a boon and a curse depending on the game’s state. Finally, there is Ember Shot, which also inflicts damage but sweetens the deal by allowing the player to draw a card. Although not a goblin in nature, it’s a comparison point for evaluating burn spells in red decks.

All being relatable in function, Goblin Swine-Rider offers a distinctive edge in the right deck – particularly one that thrives on chaotic board states and is resilient to wide-scale damage effects.

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Swine-Rider MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Swine-Rider and other MTG cards: