Goblin Soldier MTG Card
2008-07-25 - Number 7
2016-06-10 - Number 15
2001-01-02 - Number 6
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Goblin Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Goblins and Soldiers excel in battlefield presence, often overwhelming opponents with numerous tokens.
- Instant-speed options and synergy make both archetypes formidable and unpredictable during gameplay.
- Versatility and meta-relevance ensure Goblin and Soldier cards remain a solid choice for diverse strategies.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Goblin and Soldier cards often include mechanisms to flood the battlefield with tokens, effectively multiplying your presence and setting up for potential card advantage. When you summon multiple creatures for the cost of one, you’re setting the stage for overwhelming your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Many Goblin-themed cards support resource acceleration through mana generation or cost reduction for Goblin spells, which can be pivotal for casting high-impact cards sooner. Similarly, Soldier cards can bolster your ranks and fortify your defenses, enabling strategic plays that capitalize on increased numbers and synergy.
Instant Speed: Several cards within the Goblin and Soldier archetypes offer instant-speed interactions, from ambushing an attacking opponent with surprise blockers to casting spells that disrupt the flow of your opponent’s game. This agility at crucial moments can turn the tide of battle and keep your adversaries guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Goblin and Soldier cards can sometimes include mechanics that necessitate discarding as part of the cost. This can be a setback during gameplay where maintaining card advantage is crucial. Discarding valuable cards can be particularly detrimental when the battlefield situation requires every resource you can muster.
Specific Mana Cost: Goblin and Soldier cards tend to have strict mana requirements, often needing red or white mana respectively. This can make them less flexible in multicolored decks, forcing players to consider their mana base carefully and potentially causing issues with mana accessibility when needed the most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite their communal strengths, certain Goblin and Soldier cards come with a relatively high mana cost for the abilities they provide. This sometimes puts them at a disadvantage against cards from other tribes or factions that offer similar benefits for less mana, affecting deck efficiency and tempo during crucial moments in a match.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Goblin and Soldier cards are known for their adaptability in various deck types. Whether you’re looking to build an aggressive red Goblin deck or a structured white Soldier deck, these types fit well into multiple strategies and colors.
Combo Potential: Both Goblins and Soldiers come with numerous synergies. Goblins often have effects that generate tokens or deal damage, while Soldiers can boost each other’s abilities, creating opportunities for powerful combinations and board presence.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the shifting dynamics of the game, Goblin and Soldier cards remain relevant. They can be particularly effective against decks vulnerable to wide strategies or those relying on creature-based offenses, making them a timely addition to your collection.
How to Beat Goblin and Soldier Cards
Goblin and Soldier cards are among the staple tribal strategies in Magic: The Gathering, each with their iconic place on the battlefield. When pitted against a deck overflowing with these relentless creatures, the challenge becomes real. Goblins are notorious for their rush tactics and sheer numbers, multiplying with alarming speed thanks to cards like Goblin Warchief and Krenko, Mob Boss. On the other hand, Soldiers are revered for their synergy and efficient cost-to-power ratio, offering buffs through commanders like Captain of the Watch.
Overcoming a dedicated Goblin or Soldier deck requires a well-thought-out strategy. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can clear an overrun board, resetting the advantage these tribal decks hope to maintain. Spot removal, while not as sweeping, can disrupt important synergies when you target key creatures. Graveyard hate also plays a part, considering that some decks rely on recurring these creatures from the graveyard back to the field. Additionally, employing your creatures with reach or flying can evade ground forces while you stabilize your defenses.
Ultimately, countering these tribal tactics hinges on controlling the board and dismantling their strategy piece by piece. Proper timing and card choice can turn the tide, transforming what seems like an insurmountable swarm into a manageable encounter on the plane.
Cards like Goblin Soldier
Goblin Soldier cards belong to a unique space within MTG, meshing the aggressive and swarm strategies of Goblins with the structured army-building of Soldiers. One card that echoes the Goblin facet is Goblin Piledriver, renowned for its prowess in the presence of other Goblins; a strength that multiplies during an all-out attack. On the flip side, Soldier enthusiasts might look to Precinct Captain for its Soldier-token generating ability upon dealing combat damage – a testament to the disciplined offensive archetype.
Another doppelgänger is Foundry Street Denizen, thriving in red aggressive decks that frequently play creatures, bolstering its attack with each additional red creature that enters the battlefield. Similarly, Veteran Swordsmith grants a power boost, but to other Soldiers, embedding solidarity on the battlefield. While both grant power increases, the tribal associations of Goblin and Soldier cards pivot the deck-building strategies and synergy that players can exploit.
In essence, Goblin Soldier cards offer a unique blend that can inspire new synergies. Their dual nature provides players the potential to innovate within the tribal themes of MTG, making them a compelling choice for enthusiasts of both Goblin and Soldier decks.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Goblin Soldier MTG card by a specific set like Magic Player Rewards 2001 and Eventide, 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 Soldier 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 Soldier Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Player Rewards 2001 | MPR | 6 | 1997 | Token | Black | Ron Spears | ||
| 2 | 2008-07-25 | Eventide | EVE | 7 | 2003 | Token | Black | Jeff Miracola | |
| 3 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 15 | 2015 | Token | Black | Filip Burburan |
