Goblin Trailblazer MTG Card
2018-01-19 - Number 105
2020-11-20 - Number 182
2022-12-02 - Number 547
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Pirate |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Goblin Trailblazer’s menace provides tactical edge by complicating opponent’s blocking decisions.
- Low mana cost and synergy with Goblin tribal decks make it a versatile addition.
- Despite advantages, consider mana restrictions and opportunities for more impactful plays.
Text of card
Menace
"Why are we following the goblin? Can he even read that map?" —Daphne Vail, *Diremore* first mate
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin Trailblazer doesn’t directly offer card draw, but its menace ability ensures it can often evade blockers. This potentially draws out removal cards from an opponent’s hand, indirectly impacting card advantage as they have to deal with the pesky Trailblazer.
Resource Acceleration: While the Trailblazer itself isn’t a source of ramp, it fits seamlessly into decks that focus on resource acceleration. Its low mana cost makes it an early threat, applying pressure while you develop your mana base for larger threats.
Instant Speed: The Trailblazer, being a creature, doesn’t have instant speed. However, its presence bolsters strategies that include instant speed spells. Opponents must consider the Trailblazer’s menace when deciding whether to keep mana open for instant speed interactions, allowing you to potentially gain a tempo advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin Trailblazer doesn’t require a direct discard to play, but its aggressive nature means it could lead to overextension of your hand. Careful balance is crucial to avoid depletion of vital resources in your quest for board dominance.
Specific Mana Cost: The Trailblazer comes with need for red mana, necessitating that your deck be tailored towards or at least accomodate the red spectrum of the mana pie. This can be restrictive when eying multicolored deck options, as you may find more difficulty balancing mana if multiple colors are in play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not exorbitant, the mana cost to get Goblin Trailblazer out could be a sticking point. With two mana for a 2/1 creature, players might weigh other options that provide more impact or versatility on the battlefield for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Goblin Trailblazer in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin Trailblazer is a flexible card that easily integrates into various aggressive decks, offering early board presence as a 2-power creature with menace. This trait makes it harder for your opponents to block, thereby enhancing its value in combat strategies.
Combo Potential: As a Goblin, this card synergizes with other Goblin-related cards, increasing its potential in tribal decks. Its ability to help Goblins avoid unfavorable blocks extends to other Goblins on the field, enabling more significant hits to your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: Within the right meta, where creature-based combat is prevalent, Goblin Trailblazer’s menace attribute disrupts typical defensive setups. Additionally, in a meta where low-cost creatures are pivotal for early game control, having a 2-mana cost creature like Goblin Trailblazer becomes a substantial advantage.
How to Beat
Goblin Trailblazer is a familiar sight in MTG decks that favor aggressive strategies, specifically those employing the menace characteristic. Its ability to become unblockable except by two or more creatures makes it a crafty component in Red decks that look to deliver swift and unbridled damage to opponents. Despite its strengths, overcoming this fiery creature is far from impossible.
The key lies in robust defense. Token creation, for instance, can be a powerful deterrent to the Trailblazer’s menace ability. By flooding the battlefield with creatures, you ensure there are enough blockers to neutralize the threat. Spot removal spells are also a neat and effective way to eliminate Goblin Trailblazer before it causes significant harm. Cards that allow for cheap and instant-speed removal, like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, work perfectly against such low-toughness creatures. And let’s not forget sweepers – a well-timed Wrath of God can clear the field of all creatures, regardless of whether they have menace or not.
Utilizing these strategies can shift the tide of battle to your favor, making the Goblin Trailblazer less of a trailblazer and more of a minor obstacle on your path to victory.
Cards like Goblin Trailblazer
Goblin Trailblazer holds a unique position among the red creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its closest comparison in Goblin Striker, another two-mana-cost creature that also boasts the menace trait. The menace mechanic allows both creatures to be a hassle for opponents to block, especially in the early game stages.
Exploring further, we encounter Ember Hauler, which shares the same mana cost as Goblin Trailblazer. While Ember Hauler lacks menace, it compensates with its ability to deal damage directly to any target, offering strategic flexibility. Another card worth mentioning is the Rakdos Shred-Freak. Even though the Shred-Freak requires two different colors of mana and doesn’t have menace, it brings haste to the table, potentially leading to more aggressive playstyles.
All in all, Goblin Trailblazer competes effectively with creatures of similar mana cost in its ability to disrupt the opponent’s defensive lines. Its menace trait makes it a favorably aggressive choice for players aiming to pressure their opponents during the early stages of a game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Trailblazer MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Commander Legends, 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 Trailblazer and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Goblin Trailblazer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Josh Hass.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass | |
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 182 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass | |
| 3 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 547 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Trailblazer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
