Goblin Welder MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Artificer
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables resource recycling, swapping graveyard artifacts onto the battlefield for an efficient gameplay cycle.
  2. Can accelerate mana resources, allowing costly artifacts to enter play ahead of schedule.
  3. Operates at instant speed, offering flexibility and surprise elements in artifact-centric strategies.

Text of card

oc T: Exchange target artifact a player controls for target artifact card in that player's graveyard.

"I wrecked your metal guy, boss. But look! I made you an ashtray."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Welder allows players to swap artifacts in their graveyard with those on the battlefield, effectively recycling resources and maintaining a steady flow of valuable assets on the field. This can often lead to indirect card advantage as the Welder can repeatedly utilize the artifacts that have already served their initial purpose.

Resource Acceleration: By returning high-value artifacts from the graveyard to play, the Goblin Welder can accelerate your resource availability. This ability to cheat mana costs and put expensive artifacts into play much sooner than normally possible gives players a significant edge over opponents, especially in formats where artifacts play a pivotal role.

Instant Speed: The act of swapping artifacts can be performed at instant speed, meaning you can wait until the most opportune moment during a game to maximize the impact of the Welder’s ability. This flexibility allows strategic depth, enabling you to react to your opponent’s moves or to surprise them with an unexpected artifact coming into play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To leverage Goblin Welder’s ability to swap artifacts in the graveyard with those on the battlefield, players must have the necessary artifacts in the graveyard. This often requires discarding valuable cards, which can be a strategic disadvantage and diminish hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The Goblin Welder card requires red mana in the casting cost, which can be restrictive as it necessitates a commitment to red mana sources in a deck. This can limit deck-building options and make it less flexible in multicolored decks that may not focus on red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Goblin Welder’s mana cost is not excessively high, its impact on the board relies heavily on having other artifacts in play. In environments where fast-paced strategies are key, the set-up time and specific conditions required for Goblin Welder to be effective might be too slow or cumbersome compared to alternative options with lower costs or immediate effects.


Reasons to Include Goblin Welder in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Welder’s ability to interchange artifacts from the graveyard to the battlefield and vice versa makes it a flexible addition to decks focused on artifact synergy. Its low cost also means it fits easily into diverse game strategies.

Combo Potential: This card unlocks numerous combinations, enabling you to resurrect powerful artifacts from your graveyard or even disrupt your opponent’s strategy by swapping their key artifacts out of play. The Welder’s talent plays well with numerous artifact-centric strategies, offering unlimited creative deck-building options.

Meta-Relevance: In a gaming environment where artifacts are prevalent, having a Goblin Welder in your deck could tilt the scales in your favor. Its ability to manipulate the battlefield using artifacts makes it a tactically advantageous card in various metagames, remaining relevant as different strategies rise and fall.


How to beat

Goblin Welder presents a unique challenge in MTG due to its ability to swap artifacts in play and in the graveyard, potentially leading to devastating combos. To counteract this, prioritize removing Goblin Welder from the battlefield as soon as it lands. Direct removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, are effective at dealing with the Welder before it can activate its ability. Alternatively, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can neutralize the Welder’s effectiveness by eliminating the resources it relies on.

Consider leveraging counterspells to prevent the Goblin Welder from hitting the play area in the first place. A well-timed Counterspell or Mana Leak can save you from future headaches and hamper your opponent’s strategy. Lastly, be mindful of the artifacts your opponent has in play and in the graveyard, as quick action against the most threatening targets can disrupt the Welder’s impact on the game. Staying ahead of your opponent’s plan with preemptive control or reactive answers will help ensure the Goblin Welder doesn’t weld together a victory for them.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the capabilities of Goblin Welder can redefine your MTG experience, especially within artifact-centric decks. With its instant-speed ability to recur powerful artifacts, this card provides a strategic upper hand that could pivot the direction of your game. If you’re intrigued by the synergy and combo potential Goblin Welder offers, remember to also consider effective countermeasures to maximize its impact. Delve into advanced strategies and learn the most effective ways to integrate this versatile card into your collection or to dismantle your opponent’s plans when facing it. Immerse yourself in our comprehensive guides to further harness the power of artifacts and command the battlefield.


Cards like Goblin Welder

Goblin Welder is an iconic fixture in the MTG universe, renowned for its unique ability to tinker with artifacts in and out of the graveyard. This ability echoes the mechanics found in other artifact-centric cards such as Daretti, Scrap Savant. Daretti offers a broader palette of abilities, including the ability to draw and discard, reminiscent of the Goblin Welder’s graveyard exchange but at a much larger scale.

Another similar card is Trash for Treasure, which also dabbles in the realm of artifact reanimation. Both cards share the concept of swapping artifacts from the battlefield to the graveyard and vice versa, but Trash for Treasure is a one-time sorcery event whereas Goblin Welder’s ability can be used repeatedly. Lastly, there’s Kuldotha Forgemaster, which demands a heftier sacrifice for its ability but can fetch any artifact straight to the battlefield, potentially game-ending equipment or colossal constructs far beyond the modest means of the Goblin Welder.

While there are several cards that mirror parts of Goblin Welder’s functionality, this particular red creature stands out for its low cost and recyclable nature, making it a perennial favorite among players who build their strategies around artifacts. It’s the frequency and minimal expense of its ability that anchors its reputation as a format staple in artifact-focused decks.

Daretti, Scrap Savant - MTG Card versions
Trash for Treasure - MTG Card versions
Kuldotha Forgemaster - MTG Card versions
Daretti, Scrap Savant - Commander 2014 Oversized (OC14)
Trash for Treasure - Mirrodin (MRD)
Kuldotha Forgemaster - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

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

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Goblin Digging Team - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Goblin Artisans - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Goblin Digging Team - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Goblin Artisans - Rinascimento (RIN)
Gorilla Shaman - Coldsnap Theme Decks (CST)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Orcish Conscripts - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Roc Hatchling - Weatherlight (WTH)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Grim Lavamancer - Torment (TOR)
Enslaved Dwarf - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Goblin Guide - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Welder MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Judge Gift Cards 2011, 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 Welder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Welder Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-02-15Urza's LegacyULG 801997normalblackScott M. Fischer
22011-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2011G11 82003normalblackScott M. Fischer
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1772015normalblackScott M. Fischer
42018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 1012015normalblackScott M. Fischer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Welder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-08-01 As the new wording makes clear, both targets must still be legal as the ability resolves in order for it to do anything. If either one or both has become illegal, nothing gets sacrificed and nothing gets returned to the battlefield.

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