Over-rated. Will probably see some play, but it definitely is not close in power to Goblin Lackey
Lateralis0ne
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(6 votes)
Oat, that might be true...but two goblins with one attack phase? That's not bad.
As far as I can remember, Double strike means that Mr. Instigator will hit your opponent twice...meaning that for each time the opponent is hit, you get to put a goblin in play. Play your cards right, and this dude will overwhelm your opponent in no time.
That's not all that over-rated. Sure, it has flaws...but it's mythic for a reason. :D
Saha
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(4 votes)
It doesn't say combat damage, so it could work with Mage Slayer. Also the double strike protects it.
Mooby
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(24 votes)
Only took 1 block for Wizards to completely welch on the promises they made regarding the standards for mythic rare.
ratchet1215
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(4 votes)
It's one of the two gaping holes in Wizards' Mythic Rare policy for the set (if you don't know why I say two, you haven't seen Lotus Cobra), but at least the ability is flashier than that of its Snakey brother, who only cares about being an expensive utility.
Goblin Lackey can cheat something into play before the opponent even has two mana - Warren Insigator has to wait for a gate to show up so it can sit there doing nothing unless you start expending lightning bolts.
Owls_and_More_Owls
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(7 votes)
Yeah, because your opponent won't bother to block that. You look me in the eyes and tell me that a player won't do everything in their power to get rid of this card as soon as possible.
darkfury
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
the only thing that makes this good is that siege gang commander is still tournament legal. goblins arent that good to start with, and this just takes the cake for bad as while it is costed well, its ability is useless in non-goblin heavy decks.
Use this guy with Soul's Fire to get the benefits of his effect past enemy blockers.
Donovan_Fabian
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Clearly a very awesome card, my only issue is that goblins seem to get so much love from wizards, where as beasts rarely have cards that do something like this. Even elves are pretty crazy depending on what ones your playing. Feels like all you have to do is put together an uber goblin deck and go nuts.
poopooparty
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card isn't that unfair- it's so frickin' easy to kill. Every time I got this out it was disfigured, bolted, burst lightninged, etc. Instant target as soon as he hits the table
Lege
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you want to put a bunch of goblins into play without much risk just hook this dude up with Power of Fire. This makes him a viable drop even in lategame. Easy as pie.
kittyspit
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(3 votes)
what a horrible piece of garbage..mythic rare to? wow, this guy barely qualifies for uncommon..
AgesofThunder
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(4 votes)
darkfury, I don't know that you understand the purpose of goblins. Emptying out your hand a.s.a.p. to deal the greatest amount of damage before your opponent can respond is what wins games with goblins. I'd say a best case scenario for this card (in standard) would be:
Turn 1: Mountain, Goblin Guide swing 2 turn 2:Mountain ,Warren Instigator Turn 3 ,considering Instigator could live for that 1 turn (which isn't really all that unlikely): Mountain lightning bolt and/or Goblin Shortcutter Past your opponents defenses, hit for 4 more and play 2 Siege Gangs Turn 4: mountain, Maybe another burn spell to get through whatever else they played last turn, trumpet blast swing for 40 (game over).
Studoku
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love how Wizards are keeping their promise about not making mythic rares powerful tournament staples.
Xelopheris
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Drafted this, had an opening hand with M M M, Instigator, Shortcutter, and two tuktuk grunts.
Land, go. Land, instigator. Land, shortcutter, their one creature can't block. Attack, get the two grunts out. Turn 3, have a 1/1 DS, 2/1, 3/3, and 4/4.
Taltor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Goblin Lackey is better, but still it's nice to have the option of getting out even more goblins.
DoctorKenneth
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(27 votes)
Couple of points here.
Point one:
"We want the flavor of mythic rare to be something that feels very special and unique. Generally speaking we expect that to mean cards like Planeswalkers, most legends, and epic-feeling creatures and spells." -Mark Rosewater
Oh look. It's not legendary or particularly epic. Just a little extra-powerful. Surprise.
Point two:
I guess this was deemed okay now that Onslaught block has aged considerably, but an arguably better Goblin Lackey? The lackey was banned because it helped make the game too fast. I guess the last few years have served to speed up the game to the point where the instigator doesn't really make a big splash, but honestly, having to wait a turn before going off isn't a huge deal in a colour that's meant to deal with blockers.
Point three:
To those of you who are arguing that this is bad because it dies to removal- please stop using this as an argument for the inferior quality of cards. Just about everything dies to the removal suite in standard. Baneslayer dies to Path to Exile. Wall of Denial dies to Wrath. Etc, etc. It's a two mana lightning rod. If your opponent wastes precious removal on your two drop, that's removal that won't hit later things. Secondly, free cards are free cards. Standard might not be bringing Goblin thunder, but extended still has Goblin tribal. Free Mad Aunties? Free Seige-Gangs? Free ANYTHING that costs more than two mana? Worth your investment.
Remember- if it's killed without hesitation, it's probably very good. This is, barring it's Lackey ability, a 1/1 with double strike. Two damage for two, one at first strike? That's not bad. At least, it didn't used to be.
GrantAres
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
idk, regardless of how useful the goblin summoning ability is, the thing is still a double striker for 2 mana. I'd say drop him on turn 4 or so with Obsidian Battle-axe out then throw Colossal Might on him. 7/4 w/double strike and trample does a fair bit of damage.
U-caster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
They only invented this guy to keep up with the elves. But still, he's not that bad. Try combining him with goblin shortcutter or trailbazers boots.
ClowWizardEriol
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't know if a mythic rare slot was advisable for this card, but the card itself is fair. Goblins are generally weak creatures, so they work better in numbers. This card, like Goblin Lackey, is simply another way to get goblins out faster. A lot of goblin effects require sacrifices of goblins, so getting them onto the battlefield is vital, even if they start with summoning sickness (a sacrifice can be made even if the creature has summoning sickness).
The two-red casting cost was most likely designed so that a player must have an all goblin deck. It's not meant to be splashed in another color or creature type.
Originalsin
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This is a poor choice for a mythic designation... next thing you know they will reprint Wood Elemental as a mythic, simply because it is mythically awful!
kilovortex
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
It's small, but it's freakin' awesome !! I mean it's quick and it's a goblin. Play "rite of flame" and pop him out first turn !! Def. a must have for any goblin deck !!
Gilgiga
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's amazing how much 1 mana can cripple a good card. In all honesty every time I've played him his double strike has been more important then the lackey ability, mostly because by turn 3 my hand is more or less out of goblins, unless I get luck and have a SGC in hand.
spicayd
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't understand why people are hating on this card.
Sure he's not as quick as the Lackey, but in terms of combat, he is FAR more threatening.
Having out a Goblin Chieftain or activated Quest for the Goblin Lord (which is very easy to do) instantly turns this guy into a source of massive damage very early on, and he basically says: "Yeah, you might want to kill me or you're probably going to die."
Love this card.
Maraxas-of-Keld
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(30 votes)
YOU DAWG I HEARD YOU LIKE GOBLIN LACKEY SO WE PUT DOUBLE STRIKE ON YOUR LACKEY SO YOU CAN POP GOBBOS INTO PLAY WHILE YOU POP GOBBOS INTO PLAY!
Vedalken_Arbiter
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What goblin player ever has two cards in their hand at the same time?
Kaiser911
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Yeah sure this card easy to destroy the minute it was summoned but in my case i just really wait for the right time. it just have to survive for two turns then its instant kill :))
WhiteyMcFly
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Wow. They banned Goblin Lackey, so they decided to make double goblin lackey. I mean this is literaly two times goblin lackey.
chives5602
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I play this guy with whispersilk cloak and quietus spike
Duskdale_Wurm
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Love it!
kronos539
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(6 votes)
first off, having 3 or 4 more Goblin Lackeys is going to ensure a lackeyish first hand. as for running out of goblins, Goblin Matron and Goblin Ringleader can be put into play during the first strike step and whatever you fished for in the second step, then there's Gempalm Incinerator to kill the blocker and draw a goblin. as for weakness, get Goblin Chieftain out during first strike and buff him before he even gets hit, or just have a 2/2 double striker... and then 3/3... as for combos, try any of red's anti-blocking to punch a window, then slap down a Goblin Recruiter during first strike and slap out Goblin Ringleader during normal strike... obviously best for the tribe deck, but too much synergy to ignore. mythic? WHO CARES!!
GrimjawxRULES
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
I like this card a lot. Some say its worse than Goblin Lackey, but with Ma^ss Hysteria, you can have it swinging on your 2nd turn past an unsuspecting opponent (most likely if you're going first).
12345morgan
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Oh my God, it's Goblin Lackey back for type 2 revenge! Holy crap, he brought double strike with him... You know what I gotta say to that? Kor Firewalker. nuff said...
Laguz
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Almost completely unplayable. No evasion + "when this creature deals damage to a player" = never good. It's not even played in the few tier 1 goblin decks that show up now and then.
A 1/1 for 2 that will almost always get blocked by anything and die just isn't worth playing, especially to red.
Roy1138
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Thank Dr. Kenneth for pointing out that there is a removal spell for just about anything. Seriously, if you think "Dies to Storm Crow" is some how an insightful commment, you're wrong. Yes I could lightening bolt it.Yes I could block it and kill it, but this card is powerful enough that I must decide what I want to do about it. That is how you know its a good card. Late in the game I may have to decide about blocking this 1/1 with double strike or a larger creature. Early in the game I may have to use a removal spell on him, meaning I have one less late in the game.
Faust-The-Desolate
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
Ouch, thanks to the doublestrike, you get two cards.
@Roy1138: Because, of course, everyone who ever posts any reference to Storm Crow is being completely serious.
HammerAndSickled
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(2 votes)
@Keiya no, it doesn't. the creature is still blocked so unless Instigator has trample you get either two or zero goblins.
channelblaze
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love how it's not even combat damage. Just give him a way to ping your opponent, and say good by to your opponent. Try bringing out siege gang commander with this thing =)
SaphironX
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
How can it deal non-combat damage?
Malnourished_Student
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@SaphironX
Simple... give it an ability through an enchantment or equipment that allows it to deal damage indirectly (eg Heavy Arbalest. Not the best example I know but it's in Standard). Now ping away and play goblins for free!
ZombieSnail
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Basilisk Collar curves nicely. First strike damage and deathtouch tend to discourage blockers. That said, he's not too retarded in standard with nobody worth bringing out for free during combat, but he gets pretty out of hand with extended-legal friends. The card is funny too. Good example of Mythic, 4/5
EvilCleavage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's cool because you can put Something that lets it tap to deal damage and put goblins out all day without having to risk attacking. although, I'd rather put out two goblins. I need one more, I have three in my deck, just one more, and I can attack without worry.
boneclub
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(6 votes)
Yo dawg, I heard you liked Goblin Lackey, so we put Goblin Lackey in your Goblin Lackey, so you can Goblin Lackey while you Goblin Lackey!
Faidite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I just love the flavour text, it sums up goblins perfectly.
VampireCat
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's a solid card (I use it in my Gobbo deck), but undeserving of being a Mythic Rare.
jsttu
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So overpowered. So much for mythic being anything other than money inspired.
DacenOctavio
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Infiltration Lens means either way, you have card advantage. 2 guys on the field, or 2 cards in your hand? And the 2 cards in your hand just fuels the 2 guys on the field.
Guest1191772626
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
lackey's best friend. all the buddies comes to the party earlier! Lets shake it!
(nock nock) -who is it?? -Siege commander... and three friends
@Arachibutyrophobia it's a red card... what's red got to worry about baneslayer angels for... you hit it with a fireball!
The whole grizzly bear theory? Once again, it's a red card... You hit it with a lightning bolt, shock, burst lightning, forked bolt... you know one of those cards they give red... AND NOW LOOK! No more Grizzly! Warren Instigator is free to hit the opponent, twice mind you, and you pop in two more goblins for free!
As the Ol' Adage goes... What's Blocking? (Read Goblin Cadets...)
ninjaman98
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This thing is a total Badass. Bring out your Wort, Boggart Auntie, then use your Dragon Fodder, And why not end with a Thunder Thrash Eldar?
For anyone who says this card is bad, consider the following.
1. It's MEANT FOR GOBLIN TRIBAL. Goblin tribal is already insanely fast. 2. "It dies to removal". Well duh. If it didn't, it would break the game in half. Consider this:
Now let's just ASSUME that the other player either used removal to get rid of Goblin Guide, or played a blocker. For this example, we'll say that they played an Elite Vanguard.
Turn two: Goblin Guide swings. Naturally, they're going to block, assuming that it is their greatest threat. Surprise your opponent by playing Warren Instigator on your second main phase, and pass turn.
Now let's assume that they drew another blocker or two to thwart your plans- hell, let's even make it a good creature: White Knight. It blocks your Warren Instigator outright, and kills it too.
Turn three: Lightning Bolt. I'm not even going to autocard that because it's so obvious. Bolt the hell out of whoever they played and swing. If they have a Path to Exile, Swords to Plowshare, or even the far less played Harm's Way, they can stop this assault, but otherwise they're screwed. Do you know why?
Because this guy ends games if he get's through. It's as simple as that- he's a win condition all on his own. If he gets through, and double strikes, it lets you throw down two goblins out of your hand. My friend runs this type of deck, and on more than one occasion I've seen him drop two Siege Gang Commanders, or a Siege Gang Commander and Bloodmark Mentor combo.
That's game!
While they frantically search for an answer, you're going to be slamming into them with goblins. In my friend's deck in particular, he runs Shared Animosity, which outright seals it. In this example, the only thing that could save our White-Deck using friend would be the almighty board-wipe, which white seems to have the most of. It's the advantage of playing white, and it balances the colors beautifully. This card isn't overpowered- it's just a clock. If you can't get rid of it, or keep producing creatures to block it, you're going to lose hard.
THAT's what makes it mythic, and THAT's what makes it great.
I'm not a fan of mythics, don't get me wrong. But I feel like a card that can win you the game (practically by itself)- a card that demands an answer- a card that immediately puts the pressure on an opponent- is a card that is deserving of mythic status.
It's cheap. It's got a great creature type. It's a 5/5 in my book.
made4ipod
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Yes! now i can have eight Goblin Lackeys in my legacy goblin deck!
Arachibutyrophobia
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
"whenever warren instigator deals damage to an opponent"
You are no lackey, dude... yet it's awesome if the game gets a little bit longer
NoobOfLore
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(6 votes)
Why is this guy mythic? He does not have mythic flavor, nor does he have mythic abilities or stats. He just pushes the game a bit too far in an odd direction. If this needed to be mythic to justify it, I honestly don't think it needed to be printed.
I want to see some mythics that cost more than 5 mana and have game-rending abilities, not some guy that ruins the game for your opponent for the first three turns. I mean, this seems like the kind of troublemaker that exists, in duplicate, in every goblin tribe. I just don't see the point. I would be disappointed to draw this guy in a pack, because his use is mind-bendingly narrow, and you need duplicates of him to get any legitimate use, even in a deck built around him.
I suppose it's probably my opinion that mythic should equate roughly to legendary on a grand scale, and this card is the opposite of legendary, and is, on his face, a bit unimpressive.
5/5 My fav Goblin so far!! Don't underestimate this beast.. Last game ended pretty lolworthy with a Strata Scythe in his fists, he was good for 8/8 Double Strike.. =O 16 damage to the d0me and dropping two Goblins to rub it in is just Stellar.
Moral of the story, he won't die the second he gets out there (unless he's countered, or killed which can happen to any creature). There are a billion and a half ways to beef him up, or get him through. I can see him being a mythic rare cuz if i had him out second turn, I'd probably win with either of my goblin decks (yes, I have two), unless you did something immediately.
Racnornam
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
if I Goblin lackey this guy out to get more lackies out do I win?
Getting this guy out on the first turn in legacy is a snap.
Losing a card for mana ramp is so worth it, it's ridiculous. The one-drop chump blocker can usually be taken out with a lightning bolt or shock for second turn mayhem.
My favorite two free drops: Krenko, Mob Boss & Goblin Chieftain. Having 6 Goblins in play when you end your second turn will usually make your opponent scoop. Tapping Krenko again before your attack on the third turn will show them why they should have. 10 2/2 Goblins, One 2/2 Goblin with double strike = 24 Damage on turn 3. That's assuming you don't have a Goblin War Strike in your hand to deal 12 damage for one mana before you declared your attack.
Bottom line, this guy is insane and so much more powerful than the Goblin Lackey, you'll completely forget he costs double the mana.
INCREDIBLY unlikely, but you could always play a deck that everyone thinks is terrible, until you suddenly pull off this combo
Aldonius
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you play modern i can see how this is your gobo….outside Legacy however this is not more powerful than Goblin Lackey. simply because the lackey is the more efficient of the two…especially with turn two removal in Legacy. the instigator requires to much effort,mana and hand space to go crazy turn two(assuming u go fist)…. all it takes is a lackey turn one then :Tarfire, Gempalm Incinerator,Stingscouger….ect to clear the way for ANY goblin!!! Regardless both great gobo's
Comments (73)
Will probably see some play, but it definitely is not close in power to Goblin Lackey
As far as I can remember, Double strike means that Mr. Instigator will hit your opponent twice...meaning that for each time the opponent is hit, you get to put a goblin in play. Play your cards right, and this dude will overwhelm your opponent in no time.
That's not all that over-rated. Sure, it has flaws...but it's mythic for a reason. :D
Also the double strike protects it.
Who said math was hard?
goblins arent that good to start with, and this just takes the cake for bad as while it is costed well, its ability is useless in non-goblin heavy decks.
best case scenario:
First turn:Mountain, Mass Hysteria
Second turn:Mountain, this dude, attack for 2 damage and 2 siege gang commanders
Third turn:Forest, Mage slayer
Turn 1: Mountain, Goblin Guide swing 2
turn 2:Mountain ,Warren Instigator
Turn 3 ,considering Instigator could live for that 1 turn (which isn't really all that unlikely): Mountain lightning bolt and/or Goblin Shortcutter Past your opponents defenses, hit for 4 more and play 2 Siege Gangs
Turn 4: mountain, Maybe another burn spell to get through whatever else they played last turn, trumpet blast swing for 40 (game over).
Land, go. Land, instigator. Land, shortcutter, their one creature can't block. Attack, get the two grunts out. Turn 3, have a 1/1 DS, 2/1, 3/3, and 4/4.
Point one:
"We want the flavor of mythic rare to be something that feels very special and unique. Generally speaking we expect that to mean cards like Planeswalkers, most legends, and epic-feeling creatures and spells." -Mark Rosewater
Oh look. It's not legendary or particularly epic. Just a little extra-powerful. Surprise.
Point two:
I guess this was deemed okay now that Onslaught block has aged considerably, but an arguably better Goblin Lackey? The lackey was banned because it helped make the game too fast. I guess the last few years have served to speed up the game to the point where the instigator doesn't really make a big splash, but honestly, having to wait a turn before going off isn't a huge deal in a colour that's meant to deal with blockers.
Point three:
To those of you who are arguing that this is bad because it dies to removal- please stop using this as an argument for the inferior quality of cards. Just about everything dies to the removal suite in standard. Baneslayer dies to Path to Exile. Wall of Denial dies to Wrath. Etc, etc. It's a two mana lightning rod. If your opponent wastes precious removal on your two drop, that's removal that won't hit later things. Secondly, free cards are free cards. Standard might not be bringing Goblin thunder, but extended still has Goblin tribal. Free Mad Aunties? Free Seige-Gangs? Free ANYTHING that costs more than two mana? Worth your investment.
Remember- if it's killed without hesitation, it's probably very good. This is, barring it's Lackey ability, a 1/1 with double strike. Two damage for two, one at first strike? That's not bad. At least, it didn't used to be.
The two-red casting cost was most likely designed so that a player must have an all goblin deck. It's not meant to be splashed in another color or creature type.
In all honesty every time I've played him his double strike has been more important then the lackey ability, mostly because by turn 3 my hand is more or less out of goblins, unless I get luck and have a SGC in hand.
Sure he's not as quick as the Lackey, but in terms of combat, he is FAR more threatening.
Having out a Goblin Chieftain or activated Quest for the Goblin Lord (which is very easy to do) instantly turns this guy into a source of massive damage very early on, and he basically says: "Yeah, you might want to kill me or you're probably going to die."
Love this card.
You know what I gotta say to that? Kor Firewalker.
nuff said...
A 1/1 for 2 that will almost always get blocked by anything and die just isn't worth playing, especially to red.
@Roy1138: Because, of course, everyone who ever posts any reference to Storm Crow is being completely serious.
Simple... give it an ability through an enchantment or equipment that allows it to deal damage indirectly (eg Heavy Arbalest. Not the best example I know but it's in Standard). Now ping away and play goblins for free!
First strike damage and deathtouch tend to discourage blockers.
That said, he's not too retarded in standard with nobody worth bringing out for free during combat, but he gets pretty out of hand with extended-legal friends. The card is funny too.
Good example of Mythic, 4/5
all the buddies comes to the party earlier! Lets shake it!
(nock nock)
-who is it??
-Siege commander... and three friends
it's a red card... what's red got to worry about baneslayer angels for... you hit it with a fireball!
The whole grizzly bear theory? Once again, it's a red card... You hit it with a lightning bolt, shock, burst lightning, forked bolt... you know one of those cards they give red... AND NOW LOOK! No more Grizzly!
Warren Instigator is free to hit the opponent, twice mind you, and you pop in two more goblins for free!
As the Ol' Adage goes... What's Blocking?
(Read Goblin Cadets...)
1. It's MEANT FOR GOBLIN TRIBAL. Goblin tribal is already insanely fast.
2. "It dies to removal". Well duh. If it didn't, it would break the game in half. Consider this:
Turn one: Goblin Guide, swing. Pass turn.
Now let's just ASSUME that the other player either used removal to get rid of Goblin Guide, or played a blocker. For this example, we'll say that they played an Elite Vanguard.
Turn two: Goblin Guide swings. Naturally, they're going to block, assuming that it is their greatest threat. Surprise your opponent by playing Warren Instigator on your second main phase, and pass turn.
Now let's assume that they drew another blocker or two to thwart your plans- hell, let's even make it a good creature: White Knight. It blocks your Warren Instigator outright, and kills it too.
Turn three: Lightning Bolt. I'm not even going to autocard that because it's so obvious. Bolt the hell out of whoever they played and swing. If they have a Path to Exile, Swords to Plowshare, or even the far less played Harm's Way, they can stop this assault, but otherwise they're screwed. Do you know why?
Because this guy ends games if he get's through. It's as simple as that- he's a win condition all on his own. If he gets through, and double strikes, it lets you throw down two goblins out of your hand. My friend runs this type of deck, and on more than one occasion I've seen him drop two Siege Gang Commanders, or a Siege Gang Commander and Bloodmark Mentor combo.
That's game!
While they frantically search for an answer, you're going to be slamming into them with goblins. In my friend's deck in particular, he runs Shared Animosity, which outright seals it. In this example, the only thing that could save our White-Deck using friend would be the almighty board-wipe, which white seems to have the most of. It's the advantage of playing white, and it balances the colors beautifully. This card isn't overpowered- it's just a clock. If you can't get rid of it, or keep producing creatures to block it, you're going to lose hard.
THAT's what makes it mythic, and THAT's what makes it great.
I'm not a fan of mythics, don't get me wrong. But I feel like a card that can win you the game (practically by itself)- a card that demands an answer- a card that immediately puts the pressure on an opponent- is a card that is deserving of mythic status.
It's cheap. It's got a great creature type. It's a 5/5 in my book.
that's your signal, fire whip
He does not have mythic flavor, nor does he have mythic abilities or stats. He just pushes the game a bit too far in an odd direction. If this needed to be mythic to justify it, I honestly don't think it needed to be printed.
I want to see some mythics that cost more than 5 mana and have game-rending abilities, not some guy that ruins the game for your opponent for the first three turns. I mean, this seems like the kind of troublemaker that exists, in duplicate, in every goblin tribe. I just don't see the point. I would be disappointed to draw this guy in a pack, because his use is mind-bendingly narrow, and you need duplicates of him to get any legitimate use, even in a deck built around him.
I suppose it's probably my opinion that mythic should equate roughly to legendary on a grand scale, and this card is the opposite of legendary, and is, on his face, a bit unimpressive.
Hm, hold on. Doesn't say combat damage, lets you drop off-colour Changelings. I'm sure there's a hilarious deck in here somewhere.
Also, RE: Mythic status: I believe their reasoning is the same reasoning used for Lotus Cobra: It's a throwback to an iconic older card.
My beautiful friend (or not so beautiful), goblin tunneler. This guy could use his goblin caves (3 drop keep in mind), lets add a ghitu war cry or captive flame, goblin war drums, beef him with a goblin captain or goblin lord, give him granite grip, etc. etc. I could go on for days.
Moral of the story, he won't die the second he gets out there (unless he's countered, or killed which can happen to any creature). There are a billion and a half ways to beef him up, or get him through. I can see him being a mythic rare cuz if i had him out second turn, I'd probably win with either of my goblin decks (yes, I have two), unless you did something immediately.
...
:D
Rite of Flame
Simian Spirit Guide
Lotus Petal
Getting this guy out on the first turn in legacy is a snap.
Losing a card for mana ramp is so worth it, it's ridiculous. The one-drop chump blocker can usually be taken out with a lightning bolt or shock for second turn mayhem.
My favorite two free drops: Krenko, Mob Boss & Goblin Chieftain. Having 6 Goblins in play when you end your second turn will usually make your opponent scoop. Tapping Krenko again before your attack on the third turn will show them why they should have. 10 2/2 Goblins, One 2/2 Goblin with double strike = 24 Damage on turn 3. That's assuming you don't have a Goblin War Strike in your hand to deal 12 damage for one mana before you declared your attack.
Bottom line, this guy is insane and so much more powerful than the Goblin Lackey, you'll completely forget he costs double the mana.
A zero drop creature
chrome mox exiling any blue card
mountain
infernal plunge
warren instigator
crimson wisps
(draw something like emrakul)
Artificial evolution...naming eldrazi
Proceed to win the game in two turns
INCREDIBLY unlikely, but you could always play a deck that everyone thinks is terrible, until you suddenly pull off this combo