Goblin Champion MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities	Exalted,Haste
Released	2019-06-14
Set symbol
Set name	Modern Horizons
Set code	MH1
Power	0
Toughness	1
Number	127
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Goblin Champion offers quick battlefield expansion, significantly pressuring opponents with increased creature count.
Its specific mana cost and discard mechanics may limit deck inclusion and strategic options for players.
Despite its cost, the Goblin Champion’s synergy with goblin decks and haste makes it a worthy collection addition.

Text of card

Haste Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

The stories of his heroics are inspiring, though none of them are remotely true.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Champion card enhances your battlefield presence by enabling you to deploy more creatures swiftly, effectively increasing the number of threats your opponent must answer.

Resource Acceleration: Upon entering the battlefield or attacking, Goblin Champion can sometimes be leveraged to unlock mana abilities or synergize with artifacts that equip at instant speed, providing a quick boost to your resource pool.

Instant Speed: While the Goblin Champion itself is not cast at instant speed, its low mana cost allows for a reactive game plan where you can summon the creature and still hold up mana for instant speed spells, thereby keeping up the pressure while remaining responsive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In gameplay, having a card that necessitates discarding another can be a considerable setback, especially when your hand size is already dwindling. This mechanic can force players into unwanted decisions, potentially discarding a crucial card for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Champion’s casting cost is specific to one color, which can be restrictive. Decks that don’t run red or have a limited red mana base might find it challenging to summon this creature, thereby limiting its playability across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that offers the unique traits and abilities of a Goblin Champion, the mana cost may seem steep when compared to other goblins in its class. Players might find that other goblin cards provide a better cost to benefit ratio, making them more appealing for deck inclusion over the Goblin Champion.

Reasons to Include Goblin Champion in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Champion excels in its ability to be included in various deck types. Given its low mana cost and the haste ability, it works well in fast-paced, aggressive strategies, ideally complementing red deck archetypes keen on delivering early pressure.

Combo Potential: Thanks to its subtype, this card synergizes with other Goblin-focused mechanics. It can bolster the tide of a Goblin tribal deck, acting as a crucial piece in amplifying the swarm and enabling explosive turns when combined with other Goblin synergies.

Meta-Relevance: At times when the play environment leans towards slower, controlling builds, the quick deployment and immediate impact of Goblin Champion can shift the tempo in your favor. Its presence on the battlefield right from the early game can set a pace that reactive decks might struggle to keep up with.

How to beat

Goblin Champion is a card that can be a real nuisance in Magic: The Gathering games, especially for its power to bolster other creatures. It’s a low-cost creature that has the potential to accelerate an aggressive strategy and is often found in decks that focus on overwhelming the opponent early on. To counter this swift and menacing card, one effective strategy is removal. Spells like Shock or Fatal Push can efficiently dispatch a Goblin Champion before it has the chance to contribute significantly to the board.

Another approach is to control the battlefield with cards that prevent creatures from attacking or that can deal with multiple creatures at once. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can clear the board of Goblin Champions along with other threats. Creature-based strategies can also involve defenders with high toughness, which can block and survive the Champion’s attack.

Ultimately, staying ahead of a Goblin Champion involves anticipating the onslaught and maintaining control over the board. While it may be tempting to ignore a single small creature, remember that in MTG, even the smallest goblins can lead to an overwhelming tide if left unchecked. It’s important to manage resources effectively and remove key threats early in the game to prevent the Champion from leading a goblin horde to victory.

Cards like Goblin Champion

Exploring the roster of red creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, the Goblin Champion stands out with its expedient prowess on the battlefield. Echoing the abilities of other low-cost goblin cards, this particular goblin offers a jumpstart in early game aggression with its haste attribute, a trait shared by the likes of Raging Goblin. While both can attack immediately, Goblin Champion edges ahead with its additional bonus of making other goblins potentially harder to block, thanks to its exalted ability.

Considering other goblin relatives, the Skirk Prospector provides a different strategic advantage by converting goblins into precious mana, which can be pivotal for casting high-impact spells. Although it lacks the raw speed of Goblin Champion, the Prospector complements a more combo-oriented approach within a goblin deck framework. Furthermore, the venerable Goblin Guide, a staple in aggressive red decks, offers a higher power level but lacks the tribal synergy benefits that Goblin Champion provides, emphasizing the champion’s role in goblin-centric strategies.

In assessing Goblin Champion against its kin, it’s evident that while it may not stand alone as the most powerful goblin, its combination of speed and ability to synergize with other goblins makes it a formidable option for players looking to build a swift and cohesive goblin deck.

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

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Champion has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-06-14	A creature attacks alone if it’s the only creature declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step (including creatures controlled by your teammates, if applicable). For example, exalted won’t trigger if you attack with multiple creatures and all but one of them are removed from combat.