Goblin Assassin MTG Card


Forces sacrifices with Goblin play, creating card advantage by disrupting opponent defenses. Gives red-based decks control dynamics with its continuous, game-phase independent activation. While potentially powerful, its specific mana cost and vulnerability to removal can pose challenges.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Assassin
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Whenever Goblin Assassin or another Goblin comes into play, each player flips a coin. Each player whose coin comes up tails sacrifices a creature.

The more victims he kills, the more likely he is to get the right one.


Cards like Goblin Assassin

Goblin Assassin is a unique creature in MTG, tapping into the unpredictable and chaotic nature often associated with Goblins. When paired with cards like Goblin Sledder, the synergy becomes evident. Both capitalize on sacrificial mechanics, but Goblin Assassin takes it a step further by making opponents also play the same risky game of chance. This adds a layer of strategy and may shift the tide of the match.

Another relative to this card is Skirk Prospector, which provides mana acceleration by sacrificing Goblins. While Skirk Prospector gives you immediate mana gain, Goblin Assassin potentially disrupts your opponent’s board every time a Goblin enters the battlefield under your control. Mog War Marshal is another comparable card that complements Goblin Assassin by providing multiple Goblin tokens, fueling the Assassin’s effect and increasing its potential impact.

Assessing within the MTG Goblin-themed roster, Goblin Assassin serves as an intriguing option for players who enjoy a mix of control and chaos in their gameplay, providing both a psychological edge and a practical means to continually influence the board state.

Goblin Sledder - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sledder - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions

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

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability to disrupt your opponent’s board with the anarchy that a Goblin Assassin brings to the game can lead to significant card advantage. By forcing each player to sacrifice a creature whenever another Goblin enters the battlefield, you often can thin out your opponent’s defenses while building up your own.

Resource Acceleration: Goblin Assassin aligns perfectly with decks that focus on swarming the field with creatures, particularly goblins. This can lead to a form of resource acceleration as you gain an overwhelming presence on the battlefield, giving you the upper hand in overwhelming your adversaries quickly.

Instant Speed: While the Goblin Assassin itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability triggers during any phase of the game, offering you a form of control that’s always active. This persistent threat can affect your opponent’s strategy, as they must consider the possible sacrifice of a creature whenever they or you summon a Goblin.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Goblin Assassin’s abilities often necessitate players to randomly select and sacrifice creatures. This can backfire if you’re required to sacrifice a valuable creature from your own board, leading to potential loss in board presence and tempo.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a card that requires both red and black mana, Goblin Assassin imposes deck-building restrictions. Players must ensure a reliable mana base to cast it, which may not always align with the player’s strategy or the deck’s main path.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost placed at four, including multiple specific mana symbols, Goblin Assassin can be considered costly, especially since its impact on the game might not justify the investment when compared with other creature options available at or below this cost threshold.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Assassin works well in any red-based deck that thrives on chaos and unpredictability. Its ability to potentially clear the board appeals to players who enjoy reactive strategies and keeping opponents constantly off-balance.

Combo Potential: This creature pairs excellently with token generators, amplifying its capacity to control the board by leveraging numerous creature entries to force sacrifice decisions. In the right deck, this can systematically dismantle an opponent’s army.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy formats or metas that favor aggressive creature strategies, Goblin Assassin can serve as a potent deterrent, forcing opponents to think twice before committing to the battlefield. Its presence alone can shape the way games play out.


How to beat

Goblin Assassin presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its quirky coin-flip ability that can dismantle opponent defenses by forcing players to sacrifice creatures. Although at first glance the odds may seem even, there are effective tactics you can employ to minimize the impact of this chaotic goblin.

Firstly, consider running cards that can remove Goblin Assassin without having to resort to creature combat. Direct removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can handle the goblin before its ability becomes a nuisance. For a broader strategy, using cards with hexproof or shroud prevents the goblin from targeting your creatures, effectively bypassing the sacrifice trigger.

Another successful strategy is to focus on token generation. Overflowing the board with expendable creatures means you’ll likely have less valuable fodder to offer up when the coin flips decide a creature must be sacrificed. This helps preserve your more substantial troops for later turns.

In summary, by utilizing targeted removal, incorporating hexproof or shroud mechanics, and swarming the board with tokens, you’ll stand a strong chance of negating the disruptive power of Goblin Assassin and maintaining control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the chaos that the Goblin Assassin brings into play is a strategic edge in MTG. With the card’s potential to sway the battlefield in your favor through its disruptive ability, it’s a worthy addition to decks that celebrate the mayhem of goblins. As you enhance your collection and refine your gameplay tactics, consider the synergies and interactions that can amplify the Goblin Assassin’s impact. Ready for a deeper dive into the raucous world of goblins or curious about new deck-building strategies? Explore our resources and gather insights to make every match a calculated dance of anarchy and control.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Legions and The List, 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 Assassin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Assassin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2003-02-03. Illustrated by Dave Dorman.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 951997NormalBlackDave Dorman
22020-09-26The ListPLST LGN-951997NormalBlackDave Dorman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Assassin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 This coin flip has no winner or loser.