Goblin Piledriver MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities Protection
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Piledriver empowers goblin strategies, turning each new goblin into an exponential threat on the battlefield.
  2. While not a ramp card, Piledriver pressures opponents into disadvantageous positions, accelerating your game.
  3. Its power boost is dynamic, with the potential to surprise opponents during the attack phase for massive damage.

Text of card

Protection from blue Whenever Goblin Piledriver attacks, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking Goblin.

Throw enough goblins at any problem and it should go away. At the very least, there'll be fewer goblins.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Goblin Piledriver itself doesn’t inherently provide card draw, it’s a force multiplier on the battlefield. Each friendly goblin you play thereafter increases Piledriver’s power, potentially leading to overwhelming board states where one goblin can turn the tide of a game. This isn’t direct card advantage, but it results in a significant uptick in the value of your goblin cards, effectively giving you an advantage without drawing extra cards.

Resource Acceleration: Goblin Piledriver may not ramp your mana in the traditional sense, but it accelerates the potency of your attacks very quickly. By synergizing with other goblins, it indirectly accelerates your game plan by amassing a substantial threat early on. This pressure can often force your opponent to make unfavorable trades or use resources prematurely, thereby advancing your board state faster than your opponent can handle.

Instant Speed: This card operates at sorcery speed, which means it’s played during your main phases. However, the power boost it receives is calculated at instant speed during the declare attackers step. This allows for surprise combat mathematics, often catching an opponent off guard during the attack phase, as the power level of Goblin Piledriver can skyrocket in an instant with the declaration of multiple goblin attackers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although the Goblin Piledriver doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it’s important to note that having it on the battlefield may not deter an opponent from forcing you to discard, which can diminish your hand and leave you at a disadvantage if you’re relying on a combo strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Goblin Piledriver’s mana cost is specifically red, meaning it requires a commitment to red mana in your deck. This can limit its versatility and potentially exclude it from multi-color decks that can’t afford a heavy red mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana, Goblin Piledriver’s real strength comes from playing it in a deck swarming with Goblins. Without a significant number of other Goblin creatures, its potential is not fully realized, and in such cases, there may be other two-mana creatures that provide more immediate value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Piledriver is a dynamic asset for red aggro and goblin tribal decks. Its ability to grow in power for each attacking goblin makes it a formidable threat that can quickly close out games.

Combo Potential: The card enhances goblin-based strategies and synergizes exceptionally well with cards that generate numerous goblin tokens, magnifying its impact on the battlefield and leading to explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with creature-based strategies, Goblin Piledriver asserts dominance by swinging in with overwhelming force, especially when paired with other goblin synergistic cards to capitalize on the aggressive nature of red decks.


How to Beat Goblin Piledriver

Goblin Piledriver is a formidable force in Magic: The Gathering, especially within the Goblin tribal archetype. Renowned for its ability to gain +2/+0 for each other attacking Goblin, this creature can easily become an overwhelming threat. When facing such a card, removal spells are your best line of defense. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently handle the Piledriver before attackers are declared, nullifying the risk of an amplified assault. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God, can also be a critical play, erasing the presence of Piledriver and its Goblin cohorts altogether.

Another effective strategy is to limit the number of Goblins that can attack. Ensnaring Bridge or Ghostly Prison put a damper on swarming strategies by restricting the ability to attack without proper resources or by limiting the number of creatures that can swing in. Lastly, utilizing cards that prevent damage or neutralize combat abilities, such as Fog or Maze of Ith, can mitigate the impact of a Piledriver-fueled attack, giving you time to stabilize and turn the tide. With the right strategy and timely reactions, you can ensure Goblin Piledriver doesn’t overrun your defenses.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into a world where strategy and synergy reign supreme with Goblin Piledriver, a cornerstone for red deck enthusiasts and goblin tribal supremacists. Its potential to morph the battlefield into a frenzy of high-powered attacks makes it a must-have for aggressive gameplay aficionados. Discover how to integrate this dynamic card into your deck, edge out your opponents with swift, mighty blows, and navigate the vast MTG landscape to further elevate your game. Stay ahead of the curve by joining our community, where we unpack the full potential of Goblin Piledriver and help you unlock new levels of mastery in MTG.


Cards like Goblin Piledriver

Goblin Piledriver is a force to be reckoned with among red creature cards in MTG. Often measured alongside Goblin Warchief, both cards stand out in Goblin tribe synergy decks. Unlike Goblin Piledriver, which gains power with each other attacking Goblin, Goblin Warchief decreases the cost of Goblin spells and grants them haste, pushing for a speedier gameplay.

Another relative is Legion Loyalist. Like our Piledriver, it too benefits from the company of other Goblins, granting battalion effects such as first strike and preventing enemy tokens from blocking when attacking with at least two other creatures. While Legion Loyalist offers tactical advantages on the battlefield, Goblin Piledriver’s potential power surge can achieve overwhelming board states that can close games quickly.

Further comparison leads us to Siege-Gang Commander, which also thrives in a Goblin-centric deck but leans on creating Goblin tokens and using them as ammunition. This provides a control angle that Goblin Piledriver lacks. When evaluating these Goblin cards, Goblin Piledriver definitely carves a unique niche, known for its massive single-turn damage capability when accompanied by its fellow Goblins.

Goblin Warchief - MTG Card versions
Legion Loyalist - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions
Goblin Warchief - Scourge (SCG)
Legion Loyalist - Gatecrash (GTC)
Siege-Gang Commander - Scourge (SCG)

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

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Mudbrawler Cohort - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Piledriver MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and 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 Piledriver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Piledriver Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 314152003normalblackDave Kendall
22002-10-07OnslaughtONS 2051997normalblackMatt Cavotta
32003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 we2052003normalgoldMatt Cavotta
42008-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2008G08 42003normalblackDave Kendall
52014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1702015normalblackDave Kendall
62015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 1512015normalblackMatt Cavotta
72015-07-17Magic Origins PromosPORI 151s2015normalblackMatt Cavotta
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9592015normalblackMatt Cavotta
92019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 212015normalblackMike Uziel
102020-09-26The ListPLST ORI-1512015normalblackMatt Cavotta

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Piledriver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 The number of Goblins is counted when this ability resolves.

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