Goblin Replica MTG Card


Goblin Replica - Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Goblin
Released2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin
Set codeMRD
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number178
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byCarl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

  1. Goblin Replica can disrupt strategies by threatening its artifact destruction ability at instant speed.
  2. The necessity to sacrifice it can detract from board presence, making timing critical.
  3. Its flexibility makes it a strong inclusion in decks with artifact and tribal synergies.

Text of card

, Sacrifice Goblin Replica: Destroy target artifact.

It destroys with unthinking glee.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Replica provides a unique interaction on the battlefield that can lead to indirect card advantage. By holding the threat of its ability over your opponent, you might force them to play around it, potentially disrupting their strategy and giving you the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although Goblin Replica doesn’t inherently accelerate resources, its destruction ability can target artifacts, clearing the way for your aggressive strategies. This can indirectly accelerate your game plan by removing mana rocks or other utility artifacts your opponents might be relying on.

Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice Goblin Replica at instant speed gives you the flexibility to choose the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent’s plan. Whether that’s during their combat phase, in response to an activation, or at the end of their turn, the timing of this interaction can be pivotal in maintaining control of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Goblin Replica, there’s no direct discard required, yet the need to sacrifice it as an integral part of using its ability can be akin to a discard. This act might set you back, particularly if you’re relying on board presence to deter your adversaries or executing a strategy revolving around maintaining a strong lineup of creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Replica necessitates a precise combination of mana, notable for requiring both colorless and red mana. This composition could potentially complicate your mana base, particularly for those decks that are not strictly red-centric or those not running a superabundance of mana-fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a casting cost of three mana might not seem exorbitant, but when weighed against its functional output, you might find Goblin Replica falls short. In the vast landscape of cards available, you’ll encounter numerous options that could be more cost-effective and offer greater utility or versatility, particularly in the three-mana slot.


Reasons to Include Goblin Replica in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Replica is a flexible card that can find a place in multiple deck archetypes. Being an artifact creature, it slots well into decks focused on artifact synergies as well as those that capitalize on tribal themes.

Combo Potential: With its ability to destroy enchantments or artifacts, Goblin Replica can be part of combos that clear the way for your win conditions or disrupts your opponent’s strategy, particularly when timed correctly.

Meta-Relevance: Given that artifacts and enchantments are always present in various MTG metagames, possessing a card with the capability to remove key pieces from the board makes Goblin Replica a tactically sound choice for adaptation to ever-evolving game scenarios.


How to beat

Goblin Replica presents itself as a versatile artifact creature within the vast world of Magic: The Gathering. Residing in the interesting intersection of goblin synergies and artifact functionalities, this card brings more to the table than just damage potential. Its ability to destroy target artifact can often catch opponents off-guard, disrupting their game plan while developing your own board presence.

The real intrigue, however, lies in strategizing around its destruction ability. Spell removals such as Shock or Lightning Bolt can easily take care of the Replica before its ability becomes a concern, but in case those are unavailable, the key lies in timing and resource management. With an understanding of your opponent’s deck and potential threats, deciding when to activate the Replica’s ability or when to hold back can be crucial. Artifact-heavy decks, in particular, should play cautiously, weighing the Replica’s immediate threat against the utility of their own artifacts.

Ultimately, as with any MTG card, respecting Goblin Replica’s potential while carefully considering the broader context of your opponent’s strategy is the best way to maintain control. With the right moves, its impact can be minimized, allowing you to dictate the pace and flow of the match.


Cards like Goblin Replica

Goblin Replica finds its niche within the artifact creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, akin to cards like Pilgrim’s Eye. Both are artifacts, serving multiple purposes within their deck environments. Yet, Goblin Replica packs a punch with its unique ability to destroy any enchantment or artifact at the cost of sacrificing itself. Unlike Pilgrim’s Eye, which offers a land to hand benefit, Goblin Replica acts as a surprise defensive mechanism against opponents’ strategies.

Looking at cards such as Salvage Scout, we notice that it too can be sacrificed for the purpose of returning an artifact from your graveyard to your hand. Although this allows for recycling valuable artifacts, Goblin Replica’s power lies in its proactive board impact. Moriok Replica also shares the sacrifice effect, but it draws you two cards rather than offering removal utility. This positions Goblin Replica distinctly in the realm of board control, as it can disrupt enemy plans on the fly.

Overall, Goblin Replica serves as a versatile solution for players needing an artifact creature that can strategically interfere with an opponent’s plays or pose as a sacrificial game changer amidst the diverse creature cards in MTG.

Pilgrim's Eye - MTG Card versions
Salvage Scout - MTG Card versions
Moriok Replica - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim's Eye - Worldwake (WWK)
Salvage Scout - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Moriok Replica - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

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

Heart of Ramos - MTG Card versions
Breya's Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cursed Mirror - MTG Card versions
Battlemage's Bracers - MTG Card versions
Komainu Battle Armor - MTG Card versions
Geistflame Reservoir - MTG Card versions
Granite Shard - MTG Card versions
Foriysian Totem - MTG Card versions
Vulshok Replica - MTG Card versions
Spin Engine - MTG Card versions
Weldfast Monitor - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Tank - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Trebuchet - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Hammer - MTG Card versions
Bearded Axe - MTG Card versions
Gilded Assault Cart - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Tracker - MTG Card versions
Mountain Mover - MTG Card versions
Honeymoon Hearse - MTG Card versions
Bronzeplate Boar - MTG Card versions
Heart of Ramos - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Breya's Apprentice - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Cursed Mirror - Doctor Who (WHO)
Battlemage's Bracers - Commander 2021 (C21)
Komainu Battle Armor - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
Geistflame Reservoir - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Granite Shard - Mirrodin (MRD)
Foriysian Totem - Time Spiral (TSP)
Vulshok Replica - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Spin Engine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Weldfast Monitor - Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)
Mizzium Tank - The List (PLST)
Brimstone Trebuchet - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Dwarven Hammer - Commander Masters (CMM)
Bearded Axe - Kaldheim (KHM)
Gilded Assault Cart - Kaldheim (KHM)
Arcbound Tracker - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Mountain Mover - 2020 Heroes of the Realm (PH20)
Honeymoon Hearse - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Bronzeplate Boar - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Replica has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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