Goblin Machinist MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Goblin
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	0
Toughness	5
Number	204
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Doug Chaffee

Key Takeaways

Goblin Machinist’s deck sifting ability indirectly leads to greater card advantage and strategy support.
It pairs well with artifacts, escalating resource build-up for potential explosive plays.
Instant speed interactions optimize the Machinist’s deck manipulation, increasing its value.

Text of card

o R: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a nonland card. Goblin Machinist gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is that card's converted mana cost. Put the revealed cards on the bottom of your library in any order.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Machinist’s ability to sift through the deck can indirectly lead to card advantage as it helps in digging for key pieces of your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes well with artifacts, which can lead to accelerated resource development as you amass an arsenal of powerful machines.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Goblin Machinist benefits from instant speed interactions that can manipulate the top card of the deck, ensuring its ability yields maximum value.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Goblin Machinist, players are often faced with a drawback of having to discard cards, which might be particularly troublesome during late-game scenarios where hand size tends to be critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Committing to a card with a specific mana cost, in this case a blend of colorless and red, means that Goblin Machinist is more suited to mono-red or two-color decks, potentially reducing its versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the mana investment required to bring Goblin Machinist into play, some players might find that the mana could be allocated to others spells or creatures that offer immediate impact or more consistent board presence.

Reasons to Include Goblin Machinist in Your Collection

Versatility: The Goblin Machinist offers a broad appeal to different play styles, aligning with decks that capitalize on both creature synergies and artifact interactions. Its ability to potentially amplify damage makes it a multifaceted addition to red-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: As a creature that interacts favorably with artifacts, Goblin Machinist can be a lynchpin in combo strategies, potentially ramping up the damage output significantly with the right board state and artifact density.

Meta-Relevance: Should artifacts and red aggressive strategies be prevalent, including Goblin Machinist in your arsenal could give you an edge. Its unique capabilities allow it to thrive in metas that favor quick and escalating threats.

How to beat

Goblin Machinist is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can become a significant threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. This card, resembling Goblinslide from Khans of Tarkir, has the potential to wield considerable power, especially when combined with artifacts to increase its ability to deal damage. Goblin Machinist’s ability allows it to potentially deal massive damage during the player’s turn, tapping into the inherent randomness that can swing games in your favor or create unexpected challenges for your opponent.

To handle this unpredictable creature, the key is to neutralize it before it amasses an insurmountable advantage. Employing instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively dispatch the Machinist before the artifact synergy takes over. Similarly, controlling the board with sweepers such as Wrath of God prevents the Machinist from becoming an unstoppable force. Alternatively, restricting the number of artifacts your opponent can play with strategies like artifact destruction or hand disruption can cut off the fuel that powers the Machinist’s engine.

Ultimately, addressing the Goblin Machinist with precision and timing is crucial. By understanding the mechanics behind it and keeping steady control over the game state, players can prevent it from steamrolling into an irrecoverable position, securing victory against this whimsical yet potentially explosive goblin.

Cards like Goblin Machinist

Goblin Machinist is an intriguing creature within the world of Magic: The Gathering, sharing some synergistic traits with other goblin-themed cards. Taking a closer look, we find Goblin Welder, a fellow goblin that also interacts with the artifact component of a player’s deck. What sets the Machinist apart is its ability to potentially amplify the power of artifacts in the graveyard, whereas the Welder has the prowess to swap artifacts from the graveyard to the battlefield.

Another kindred spirit in this niche is the renowned Krark-Clan Ironworks, an artifact itself that grants the ability to convert other artifacts into a burst of mana. While the Machinist doesn’t offer a direct conversion to mana, it leverages the artifact count for a possible explosive attack, making it an unpredictable and exhilarating card to play with.

Ultimately, Goblin Machinist offers a unique spin on goblin-artifact interplay, giving players a chance for a game-changing swing. Its distinct mechanic of sheer attack potential, coupled with the right deck build, can create memorable moments on the battleground of Magic: The Gathering.

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

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Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Machinist has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Goblin Machinist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.