Goblin Grappler MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Abilities Provoke
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Provoke ability of Goblin Grappler manipulates combat, forcing opponents into unfavorable blocks.
  2. Pairing with instant speed spells enhances its battlefield influence, offering surprise tactics.
  3. While lacking in direct card advantage, it provides a tempo boost through selective engagement.

Text of card

Provoke (When this attacks, you may have target creature defending player controls untap and block it if able.)

Daru soldiers learned it's better to have a clean death from a sharp blade than to tangle with a goblin's rusted chains.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Grappler may not directly draw you cards, but its ability to latch onto an opponent’s creature ensures that your tactical positions can be utilized to pull ahead. Its engaging prowess can force trades that can quickly open the door to a favorable board state.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Grappler itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, playing this card can lead to a tempo advantage. By selectively removing blockers or potential threats, it accelerates your game plan, paving the way for more impactful plays sooner.

Instant Speed: Goblin Grappler operates at sorcery speed, but its ability is most effective when paired with effects or spells that can act at instant speed. Combining the Grappler with instant speed tricks or removal can catch an opponent off guard, upsetting their calculations and disrupting their plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Goblin Grappler does not have a direct discard requirement, its utility in gameplay can be overshadowed by cards that provide greater advantages without sacrificing hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana arrangement including red, which could restrict deck-building options and reduce its versatility across different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana expenditure needed to cast Goblin Grappler may not align with the tempo of aggressive goblin-themed decks, which typically favor lower-cost creatures to maintain momentum.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Grappler is a smart pick for a variety of decks, thriving in aggressive strategies that benefit from proactive board control, specifically in red. Its lure ability can manipulate blockers, serving a tactical role in both early game aggression and late-game stalemates.

Combo Potential: Due to its unique ability to force enemy creatures into disadvantageous blocks, the Goblin Grappler can synergize well with combat trick cards or with abilities that trigger upon dealing damage, turning a simple combat phase into a strategic advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by critical creature-based strategies, including the Goblin Grappler can prove instrumental. It becomes particularly effective when you’re facing off against decks reliant on key blockers or decks that seek to establish board dominance through creatures.


How to beat

Goblin Grappler presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its Provoking ability, forcing a chosen creature to block it if able. This can disrupt an opponent’s strategies, making it essential to navigate around this ability wisely. To overcome the Grappler, consider using creatures with high toughness to absorb the attack comfortably or creatures with detrimental effects when blocked, turning the Grappler’s ability against it.

Removal spells are also highly effective. Instant-speed removal like Lightning Bolt can eliminate the Grappler before it declares an attack, neutralizing the threat swiftly. Alternatively, a well-timed Counterspell when Goblin Grappler is cast can prevent its appearance altogether. Cards that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn or spells that untap your creatures post-combat can mitigate the disruption caused by the Grappler’s Provoking maneuver.

Players may also choose to adjust their combat tactics, such as holding back on attacking with high-value creatures when an untapped Goblin Grappler is on the opposing side. In short, understanding the nature of the Grappler and adapting your play to circumvent its Provocation will be key to maintaining control of the battlefield.


Cards like Goblin Grappler

Goblin Grappler is an intriguing combat-oriented creature within the world of MTG, sharing the battlefield with other goblins that thrive in skirmishes. Its tap ability to force a creature to block it resonates with the mechanics of creatures like Provoker, wielding the same power to control opponent’s combat decisions. Unlike the Goblin Grappler, Provoker doesn’t restrict the controlled blocking to just itself but can choose any creature, offering slightly more versatility.

In a similar strategic playstyle, there is also Master Warcraft, an instant that dictates how blockers and attackers are assigned during combat, although its effect is more comprehensive than the targeted control of Goblin Grappler. Then, we pivot to the likes of Raging Goblin, a creature that, while it doesn’t control the block, does offer immediate attack potential with haste, favoring a quick damage strategy over manipulation of enemy forces.

Considering these comparisons, Goblin Grappler stands out for players who enjoy a tactical edge in manipulating combat, but it’s vital to weigh its single-target control against other cards that offer broader influence or different types of speed and aggression in MTG strategies.

Master Warcraft - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Master Warcraft - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)

Cards similar to Goblin Grappler by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Goblin Digging Team - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Goblin Artisans - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Kird Ape - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Goblin Digging Team - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Goblin Artisans - Rinascimento (RIN)
Gorilla Shaman - Coldsnap Theme Decks (CST)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Orcish Conscripts - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Roc Hatchling - Weatherlight (WTH)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Kird Ape - From the Vault: Exiled (V09)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Grim Lavamancer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Enslaved Dwarf - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Grappler MTG card by a specific set like Legions and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Grappler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Grappler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2003-08-07. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 1001997normalblackChristopher Moeller
22003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 we1002003normalgoldChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Grappler has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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