Goblin Artillery MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Artillery offers board control and can unexpectedly shift a game’s dynamic when used competently.
  2. Activation costs and self-inflicted damage are key drawbacks to consider within your MTG strategy.
  3. While niche in application, its unique abilities grant it potential role in certain MTG deck builds.

Text of card

: Goblin Artillery deals 2 damage to target creature or player and 3 damage to you.

Most goblins get their turn firing the catapult, but few achieve the coveted title of Ammunition Holder.


Card Pros

Goblin Artillery may not be the most common sight in competitive MTG decks, but it does offer certain advantages that can be appealing to players looking to add a bit of firepower to their game. While assessing this card, it’s meaningful to delve into aspects such as card advantage, resource acceleration, and its capabilities at instant speed.

Card Advantage: Goblin Artillery itself does not directly provide card advantage. However, its ability to deal damage can potentially remove opposing creatures, indirectly maintaining or tipping the card balance in your favor by dealing with threats and preserving your own creature resources on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While the card doesn’t generate additional mana or resources per se, the damage dealt by Goblin Artillery can accelerate your board presence by removing blockers or threats, allowing your other creatures to press the advantage and potentially end the game more quickly.

Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage is not at instant speed, as it requires a tap and thus can only be used at sorcery speed. This limits the Goblin Artillery’s flexibility but can be tactically used during your turn to clear a path or eliminate a problem before it interferes with your strategy.

Goblin Artillery shines in MTG formats where board control is paramount, and every point of damage counts. Competent play can maximize the potential of this havoc-wreaking goblin!


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The playability of Goblin Artillery can sometimes be stifled by the necessity to sacrifice another Goblin. In critical gaming moments, parting with a valuable creature for activation could be a setback.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Artillery’s activation cost includes red mana, which requires a commitment to red mana sources in your deck. This can be restrictive and not always optimal for multicolored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost to cast and an activation fee that’s substantial, there are alternative creatures or spells that provide a better rate of damage output. This could lead to Goblin Artillery often being overlooked in favor of cards that deliver more immediate or cost-effective impact.


Reasons to Include Goblin Artillery in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Artillery serves as a functional piece in decks that thrive on creature control. Its ability to deal damage to both creatures and players gives it a role in versatile gameplay, allowing for direct influence on the state of the board.

Combo Potential: The damage output of Goblin Artillery can be enhanced by combos that increase damage or utilize direct damage as a win condition. In combination with cards that double damage or manipulate untap mechanics, its potential is notable.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where smaller creature decks reign, Goblin Artillery can be an effective counter. While it may not dominate current top-tier competitive scenes, its utility in certain matchups could provide unexpected advantages against swarm strategies.


How to beat

Goblin Artillery brings a burst of damage to the battleground, setting Magic: The Gathering players on their toes with its potent tap ability. This red creature can deal a notable amount of damage to an opponent or a creature, but it also deals damage back to the controller, which is a key vulnerability. To counteract this aggressive little attacker, consider using low-cost removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which efficiently dispose of it before it can wreak havoc.

Control decks can shine against creatures like Goblin Artillery by maintaining a clear board and using countermagic such as Essence Scatter when it tries to enter the battleground. Life gain strategies also help offset the damage dealt by this creature. A well-timed Moment of Craving not only removes Goblin Artillery but also cushions your life total against its blast. Additionally, chump blocking with expendable creatures can be a smart play; since the Artillery must tap to use its ability, it can’t also block on your turn, leaving your opponent open to strategic counterattacks.

Ultimately, understanding the self-inflicting nature of Goblin Artillery’s ability and keeping swift removal up your sleeve are great tactics to ensure that this relentless goblin doesn’t overrun your defenses and turn the tide of battle against you.


Cards like Goblin Artillery

Goblin Artillery offers a unique spin on creature abilities within Magic the Gathering. Functioning similarly to cards like Prodigal Pyromancer, Goblin Artillery can deal direct damage to players or creatures. However, unlike the Pyromancer, which delivers damage without cost, Goblin Artillery requires a sacrifice—a chunk of your own life points to activate its ability. This presents a strategic element that players must balance against the reward of its potent damage output.

Another card that comes to mind is the Cunning Sparkmage. Despite having a lower damage output, it can ping creatures or players without the self-inflicted damage, making it a safer option for maintaining board control. Comparatively, the Sparkmage is more conservative, while Goblin Artillery is a high-risk, high-reward choice.

Assessing the unique merits of Goblin Artillery, its aggressive damage potential sets it apart in the world of red direct damage creatures. While it may not suit every strategy due to its self-harming mechanic, in the right deck, it can serve as a powerful finisher or a decisive means of creature control.

Prodigal Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Cunning Sparkmage - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Pyromancer - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Cunning Sparkmage - Worldwake (WWK)

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

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Sabretooth Tiger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Shinen of Fury's Fire - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Artillery MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Artillery and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Artillery Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Alex Horley-Orlandelli.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1382003normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5412015normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Artillery has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2009-10-01 If the targeted permanent or player is an illegal target by the time Goblin Artillery’s ability would resolve, the entire ability doesn’t resolve. You won’t be dealt any damage.

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