Goblin Construct MTG Card


Goblin Construct - Zendikar Rising
TypeToken Artifact Creature — Goblin Construct
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Power 0
Toughness 1
Number11
Frame2015
LayoutToken
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohan Grenier

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Construct provides card advantage and accelerates resource generation, enhancing gameplay dynamics.
  2. Instant speed play allows for reactive strategies and tactical surprises against opponents.
  3. However, its discard requirement and specific mana cost can limit its utility in certain situations.

Text of card

This creature can't block. At the beginning of your upkeep, this creature deals 1 damage to you.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Construct card comes with the potential to boost your hand by drawing additional cards. This feature is key to outmaneuvering opponents by ensuring you have more options each turn.

Resource Acceleration: Goblin Construct aids in ramping up your resources quickly. It offers mechanisms for generating extra mana, giving you a distinct advantage, especially in the early stages of the game when mana can be a bottleneck.

Instant Speed: With its capability to be played at instant speed, this card provides the flexibility to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves. This adaptability allows for strategic plays, keeping your rivals on their toes while you efficiently manage your mana and spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Keeping your hand filled with options is crucial in the flow of a game. The discard requirement of Goblin Construct can pose a significant drawback, particularly when your hand size is dwindling, forcing you to choose between precious resources or playing the card.

Specific Mana Cost: The strict red mana cost to summon Goblin Construct narrows deck compatibility, making it less versatile for multicolor strategies. Decks not heavily invested in red may find the card difficult to cast, limiting its broader play potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Mana efficiency dictates the tempo of gameplay. With its high mana demand relative to its in-game impact, Goblin Construct may not be as cost-effective as other creatures in its mana range, which could perform better or provide additional benefits at a similar or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Goblin Construct in Your Collection

Versatility: The Goblin Construct effortlessly finds its place across a myriad of deck builds, particularly those needing sturdy early game blockers or those that synergize with artifact or goblin themes.

Combo Potential: Its status as both an artifact and a creature makes it an excellent pivot for combinations, cracking open opportunities with artifact sacrifice mechanics or boosting goblin-centric plays that can tilt the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given its dual nature, the card stays relevant in various metagames, aligning with strategies that exploit the strengths of both goblins and artifacts, making it an unexpectedly powerful ally in the right setup.


How to beat

Defeating the Goblin Construct in Magic: The Gathering can be a straight-forward process with the right strategy. Being a part of the menacing and ever-expanding goblin tribe, this card thrives in an aggressive red deck, often associated with a low mana cost and the potential to deliver substantial damage early on. To counteract this, consider incorporating board wipes or removing spells in your deck. Sweeping effects like Shatter the Sky or Doomskar can clear the board of Goblin Constructs and other creatures alike.

Additionally, targeted removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be critical in taking down individual threats before they accumulate and overrun your defenses. Playing control decks that focus on managing the board and stalling the game until bigger, more impactful spells can be cast will also give you an upper hand against decks that utilize goblin synergies. Remember, it’s crucial to anticipate rapid deployments and plan your mana usage efficiently to ensure that your answers are available when needed to dismantle the horde of constructs coming your way.


Cards like Goblin Construct

The Goblin Construct is an intriguing addition to the suite of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, joining a storied lineage of goblin-themed means. It shares common traits with fellow goblin cards such as Goblin Arsonist which, like Goblin Construct, presents a low-cost creature that can influence the board early in the game. However, Goblin Construct distinguishes itself with its mechanical flavor and unique abilities that are often attributed to artifact creatures.

Another card to consider is Tuktuk the Explorer. This card holds a kinship to Goblin Construct in terms of providing additional value upon death. While Goblin Construct may offer a more straightforward advantage in certain deck types focused on artifacts and synergy with constructs, Tuktuk the Explorer yields a more substantial creature upon death but at a higher cost in terms of mana.

By evaluating these cards closely, it’s evident that Goblin Construct can align seamlessly within goblin and artifact-centric decks that capitalize on synergy and combo potential. Its attributes and interactions within a diverse array of strategies showcase its versatility in the broader context of Magic: The Gathering gameplay.

Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Tuktuk the Explorer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Tuktuk the Explorer - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Construct MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Construct and other MTG cards:

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