I had expected Wizards to release a battalion card that gave first strike, trample, and some form of evasion to all your creatures. I just didn't think it would all be on one card! I'm a little disappointed: I can only have 4 of him in a deck. Excellent creature for any aggro deck.
SyntheticDreamer
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
When this was spoiled, everyone laughed. This little guy is freakishly powerful in a fast aggro deck. Definitely going in RDW.
hot4boys
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(4 votes)
the le reddit r/mtg army and its leejun loves this card!
Gcrudaplaneswalker
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
It 's awesome how the Boros can civilize goblins that well. Look how excited he is!! And the art reminds me of Goblin Lackey.
Dream_Twist
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
This might be one of the cards I'm most excited for in gatecrash. It's better than raging goblin and its trigger is pretty crazy for any aggressive deck. I'm not so sure this will be a turn one drop because standard has a lot of great red creatures at this cost right now, but later in the game this guy will be an absolute monster. I run tokens with effects like Intangible Virtue and this is exactly what that deck wants. I cannot wait to use this little guy!
pedrodyl
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
Legacy gobbos got a new card. Neat.
LordOfTheFlies87
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Smug little bastard.
Cyberium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The first hobbit to charge...
El_Pared
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
wow, first strike and trample. Just what Gobbos needed!
Purplerooster
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
None of the three triggers can consistently protect him, but the fact that you get all three can answer many situations.
rollinsclone
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Come here little guy, you are going straight into my goblin deck.
RiftenBlack
★☆☆☆☆ (1.6/5.0)(4 votes)
All of the battalion cards besides Medic and maybe this one are bad. Anyone who thinks these mechanics will trigger reliably in Standard is in Magic Christmas Land. It is far better to pick creatures that are maybe 75% as effective as this, but you get that effect all of the time.
It's redeeming that this card is better than a Raging Goblin, so this fact alone doesn't make him horrible. But I don't think his ability will trigger that often in practice. Raging goblin isn't the kind of card that works well in standard for aggro decks, although he may have some applications in token decks (but even those are getting hosed).
And for those that vote my anti-battalion posts down, go and play against some of the best standard decks and come back and tell everyone here how few times you got to use your battalion creatures. It really is Magic Christmas Land. This card is only not bad because it's at least as good as another decent card from previous blocks when it doesn't trigger (which is better than most battalion creatures, that are just vanillas if their battalion doesn't trigger).
Still, I don't think he's that great because the mechanic itself isn't reliable. I want something better.
Kragash
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
"None of the three triggers can consistently protect him, but the fact that you get all three can answer many situations."
You only need it to trigger once to win (at least in the Legacy decks that would want to have him).
I'm pretty sure Wizards created this little guy to allow the Piledriver to destroy absolutely everything that dares block it. He's a cantrip with legs, tutorable by that goblin with a mom-sounding name.
I wouldn't be surprised if this guy replaced Goblin Sharpshooter in most Legacy gobo decks.
Pretty good in RTR limited but it's going to be way better when you can draft him against Selesnya decks when Gatecrash comes out. In constructed this guy fits goblin decks like a glove and any Boros standard deck is going to have to take a serious look at him.
Don't you think it's actually Raging Goblin that decided to join the army?
j_mindfingerpainter
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Such a low rating for a card that could easily help dominate Boros' front lines. I was kinda thinking some Modern thing with Figure of Destiny and Goblin Guide. Throw in some spells like Lightning Helix, some creatures that AREN'T 1 drops, maybe Hero of Bladehold, and the game's over!
Axolot
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A 1/1 haste for one is good. But with this... OMG.
Cyanide17
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Love him for what he is - a 1-mana pump spell. You'll never play him turn 1, but he could be doing incredible things for you when you drop him turn 3, 4 or 5. I don't understand the flavour one bit though.
DarthJynx
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I am already playing this card, and although not great for a turn one drop, i have used him numerous times in fun games against competetive elf and storm decks to grab a turn 3 win. He replaced raging goblin in my Aether Vial Goblins for Legacy. For those who say the battallion ability won't trigger, you must be playing this card wrong.
Yeah this guy is subject to almost every removal spell in the game, but for one give all your creatures first strike and trample and can't be blocked by tokens this turn, and it stays on the field... This card is amazing.
Oh look, Raging Goblin channeled his rage to a more noble goal.
A turn-1 drop which goblin tribal has been needing in standard for some time now. And certainly 5/5 for allowing me to relive my experience of making my opponent starting his game with 19 life on draw.
Shard_Fenix
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So, Raging Goblin plus three powerful abilities and a relevant creature type for the additional cost of absolutely nothing. Power creep at its best.
4.5/5 would have been 5/5 but I really really wish they'd managed to squeeze some flavour text on to him.
utter bomb.
Flyheight
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I played a Borzhov midrange deck for Game day and I found a disgusting synergy with this guy and Vault of the Archangel. You get the First Strike + Deathtouch combo plus the Trample + Deathtouch interaction. And the lifelink means you don't have to worry quite so much about the swingback.
Diab0l0
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
With mass First Strike, an interesting way to protect him would probably be with Deathtouch. Nightshade Peddler, Wasteland Viper or perhaps even Deadly Allure come to mind. The first two might fit in a G/R agressive deck.
Goblin Piledriver with first strike and trample? DAFUQ ALL OVER THE PLACE
Stormbringer007
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(5 votes)
Legacy Goblins... This is now as necessary as Goblin Piledriver in any serious Goblin deck... Piledriver with first strike would be ridiculous... but trample as well?!?! Mother of God.
Odee
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This guy is great with the Foundry Street Denizen and early battalion attacks.
T1 - Denizen. T2 - Two Denizens, swing for three. T3 - One Loyalist and a Searing Spear for a possible ten damage. - One Loyalist and an overloaded Electrickery or Mortars/Spear for a possible seven. - Three Loyalists for potential fifteen. - One Loyalist and one Ash Zealot, for potential nine. T4 - One Loyalist and overload Dynacharge, for potential eighteen. Game two?
psychichobo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I first knew this guy was awesome when I fought someone with a tonne of Human tokens and him out, and all I had was Bloodgift Demon and Soulcage Fiend.
Then I drew into Mark of the Oni, and found his true potential.
Romulox1990
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't know about standard, but for any goblin EDH or maybe legacy deck, I'd say this guy is great. He's a raging goblin which is nice, but even if you drop or draw him late game, instead of just being another 1/1 weenie he gives everyone first strike, trample, and unblockable by tokens (often overlooked, forgotten).
Blackwatch_00
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
A 1 cmc drop bomb....one of the few 2 cmc or less cards that i want to see late game.... gives power and flexibility to any format deck! 5/5
GhostCounselor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A must have for all Naya aggro decks right now. I mean, this little guy single handedly defeats an entire guild (Selesnya) when he teams up with your other creatures. Zero complaints. I love it.
ekann123
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Just got a foil one in a pack. Yay! :)
FrankieGeah
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Wizards probably finally realised that Goblin Piledriver without trample and first strike isn't cool enough. And for the moment of surprise, we can also give this guy haste and additionally "protection from tokens", just in case an opponent heard about Doubling Season.
For me the best 1 cmc Goblin, even better than Goblin Lackey (I'm also considering that Lackey is way more expensive), especially because of the essential influence he could have on the later part of the game.
TomWarleader
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not recommended for turn one use.
TexasDice
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Build my buddy a boros deck, it would be fun I thought, this card wouldn't destroy my Token Deck I thought...
MrShinyObject
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Love this guy, he smacks down hard on selesnya decks and gives trample to my higher power stuff.
Too bad he's pretty much a sorcery. He rarely lasts more than a turn.
TheWrathofShane
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Hey its raging goblin thats relevant later on!! Sick.
sincleanser
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Is it me or does this seem like it has more power with unleash than with standard boros?
rydog422
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This dude may be boros-aligned, but I think he should pledge his loyalty to gruul. First turn, drop this guy. Second turn, play Burning-Tree Emissary followed by Lightning Mauler . They better have answers, and fast. Just wish I woulda thought of this before Innistrad was headin for the door...
Billay
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This lil dude rocks in my BR aggro, over-charging my assault against those pesky tokens that suddenly can't chump-block anymore. Dude oozes flavor as well, as he inspires people attacking alongside him with his sheer determination and audacity (and a bit of stupidity) but as soon as something substantial moves in his way, reality ensues and he gets turned into so much goblin puree. 5/5 from me.
With all of the goblin pumps being huge but front-ended, having this little guy lead the charge can end games easily and to good effect. 5/5; you can't put much more on him and have him be fair :)
Quotations
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
its not strictly better than raging goblin... rager is a goblin berserker... berserkers have a lord... they are a tribe...
OstravaBoletaria
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@rydog422 you do realise that everything you just said can be done in boros, right?
emlit
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
@Syrtees:
True enough, but comparing rares to commons is a bit unfair.
I wish I had a playset of these. Half the time I play him, it's not a 1/1 haste, it's an anthem buff that makes all my creatures ridiculously painful to block, with a free 1/1 attached.
SAUS3
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Insanely good for {R}. I run it in my Tajic EDH deck because: 1) It can enable battalion for {R} if I need only one more creature. 2) It can pick up equipment and run with it, so it's still useful outside of battalion. 3) It gives Tajic trample right when he needs it - when he gets his +5/+5 bonus - allowing him to act as a finisher for {R}.
Despite being a 1-drop, he is more of a mid/late game card for Tajic. The main thing is that he can come in and do his thing while still allowing me to spend most of my mana on other stuff that I want to do.
Comments (65)
It's redeeming that this card is better than a Raging Goblin, so this fact alone doesn't make him horrible. But I don't think his ability will trigger that often in practice. Raging goblin isn't the kind of card that works well in standard for aggro decks, although he may have some applications in token decks (but even those are getting hosed).
And for those that vote my anti-battalion posts down, go and play against some of the best standard decks and come back and tell everyone here how few times you got to use your battalion creatures. It really is Magic Christmas Land. This card is only not bad because it's at least as good as another decent card from previous blocks when it doesn't trigger (which is better than most battalion creatures, that are just vanillas if their battalion doesn't trigger).
Still, I don't think he's that great because the mechanic itself isn't reliable. I want something better.
You only need it to trigger once to win (at least in the Legacy decks that would want to have him).
I'm pretty sure Wizards created this little guy to allow the Piledriver to destroy absolutely everything that dares block it. He's a cantrip with legs, tutorable by that goblin with a mom-sounding name.
I wouldn't be surprised if this guy replaced Goblin Sharpshooter in most Legacy gobo decks.
In constructed this guy fits goblin decks like a glove and any Boros standard deck is going to have to take a serious look at him.
Don't you think it's actually Raging Goblin that decided to join the army?
A turn-1 drop which goblin tribal has been needing in standard for some time now. And certainly 5/5 for allowing me to relive my experience of making my opponent starting his game with 19 life on draw.
by A LOT
utter bomb.
The first two might fit in a G/R agressive deck.
T1 - Denizen.
T2 - Two Denizens, swing for three.
T3 - One Loyalist and a Searing Spear for a possible ten damage.
- One Loyalist and an overloaded Electrickery or Mortars/Spear for a possible seven.
- Three Loyalists for potential fifteen.
- One Loyalist and one Ash Zealot, for potential nine.
T4 - One Loyalist and overload Dynacharge, for potential eighteen.
Game two?
Then I drew into Mark of the Oni, and found his true potential.
5/5
For me the best 1 cmc Goblin, even better than Goblin Lackey (I'm also considering that Lackey is way more expensive), especially because of the essential influence he could have on the later part of the game.
Too bad he's pretty much a sorcery. He rarely lasts more than a turn.
True enough, but comparing rares to commons is a bit unfair.
1) It can enable battalion for {R} if I need only one more creature.
2) It can pick up equipment and run with it, so it's still useful outside of battalion.
3) It gives Tajic trample right when he needs it - when he gets his +5/+5 bonus - allowing him to act as a finisher for {R}.
Despite being a 1-drop, he is more of a mid/late game card for Tajic. The main thing is that he can come in and do his thing while still allowing me to spend most of my mana on other stuff that I want to do.