Goblin Chainwhirler MTG Card


Goblin Chainwhirler offers card advantage by potentially sweeping multiple creatures off the board upon entry. Its mana cost aligns well with red mana acceleration, facilitating earlier gameplay advantages. Complements instant-speed strategies, allowing for devastating board resets during combat.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities First strike
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

First strike When Goblin Chainwhirler enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to each opponent and each creature and planeswalker they control.

"The trick is, once you get moving, don't stop!"


Cards like Goblin Chainwhirler

Goblin Chainwhirler stands out among the creature cards in MTG, known for its immediate impact on the board state. It can be compared to cards like Pyroclasm, which shares the ability to deal damage across the board to each creature an opponent controls. The key difference is that Goblin Chainwhirler brings with it a body, which Pyroclasm lacks, offering both a threat and a board sweep in one package.

Another card worth noting is Electrickery, which can also deal 1 damage to each creature your opponent controls, if you pay the overload cost. However, unlike Goblin Chainwhirler, it doesn’t leave a creature on the battlefield to continue applying pressure. Conversely, Goblin Chainwhirler’s Red devotion, coupled with its 3/3 stats, makes it not only a valuable tool for board control but also a significant threat in the red aggressive decks.

To sum up, while there are various cards that mimic the effect of Goblin Chainwhirler, it’s the combination of board-clearing capabilities and being a formidable creature in its own right that makes the card a unique and potent choice for MTG players seeking to dominate the board.

Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Electrickery - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Electrickery - MTG Card versions

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

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
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Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
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Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Goblin Chainwhirler. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PioneerMono-Red AggroPioneer Super Qualifier 2023-12-29
Mono-Red MidrangeMono-Red Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Rakdos GoblinsRakdos Goblins PioneerRakdos GoblinsPioneer Preliminary 2024-01-02 (1)
Mono-red GoblinsMono-red Goblins PioneerMono-Red GoblinsNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
Mono-Red DevotionMono-Red Devotion PioneerRed DevotionNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro Pioneer4c AggroNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
MonoredMonored Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro PioneerGruul AggroPioneer League 2024-01-28

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Goblin Chainwhirler offers a unique form of card advantage by potentially removing multiple opposing creatures with its enter-the-battlefield ability. Landing a Goblin Chainwhirler can be akin to casting a removal spell while establishing a presence on the board, thereby garnering card efficiency and advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While this creature doesn’t directly generate mana, its triple red mana cost synergizes well with decks designed around resource acceleration through red’s fast mana and rituals. This means getting Goblin Chainwhirler on the field can happen ahead of normal mana progression, turning it into an accelerant for aggressive strategies.

Instant Speed: Although Goblin Chainwhirler is not an instant itself, it perfectly complements strategies that operate at instant speed. Its ability to wipe out tapped creatures can clear the way for damage to be dealt or to disrupt opponent’s combat math. It efficiently paves the way for your instant speed interactions by resetting the state of the board to your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Goblin Chainwhirler doesn’t have a discard requirement as part of its ability, it’s worth noting that its presence in your hand could lead to strategic discards when facing hand disruption effects. Careful hand management becomes paramount to ensure you don’t lose this key card.

Specific Mana Cost: Goblin Chainwhirler comes with a specific mana cost that includes three red mana symbols. This requirement makes it a challenging fit for multi-colored decks, potentially limiting its inclusion to predominantly red builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of three red mana can be steep, especially when looking to maintain a swift tempo. There are other three-cost creatures with impactful abilities that might fit more easily into a wider range of strategies, despite the fact that its enter-the-battlefield effect can be a game-changer.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Chainwhirler is a flexible card that adapts well to various red-based decks. Its ability to deal damage to multiple targets at once makes it particularly useful in aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with effects that increase damage or utilize direct damage synergies. The ability to hit all opponents’ creatures, planeswalkers, and even the opponent themselves can swing the momentum of the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt enemy tokens and clear the way for your attackers, Goblin Chainwhirler remains relevant in metas dominated by creature-heavy decks. Its presence on the board can be a deterrent to opponents considering a wide strategy.


How to beat

Goblin Chainwhirler is a formidable force in Magic: The Gathering, bringingwith it an immediate impact the moment it hits the battlefield. Its ability to deal 1 damage to each opponent and each creature and planeswalker they control can dramatically alter the game’s landscape. This red creature’s power and reach make it essential for players to have a strategy in place to counter its effects efficiently.

One efficient tactic is to utilize creatures with toughness greater than 1, thereby rendering the Chainwhirler’s damage ineffective. Additionally, enchantment-based removal or exile effects such as Seal Away or Cast Out bypass the Chainwhirler’s direct damage, leaving its controller at a disadvantage. Players might also consider instant-speed removal to dispatch the Chainwhirler before its ability triggers, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, ensuring its departure before it can wreak havoc on the board.

Ultimately, while Goblin Chainwhirler presents a challenge, it is by no means insurmountable. Players who anticipate its arrival and craft their decks with countermeasures will find themselves well-equipped to handle this goblin and maintain control over the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the battlefield in MTG is an art, and cards like Goblin Chainwhirler are key brushes in your strategy’s palette. With its ability to alter game dynamics upon arrival, this card is a standout for red-centric players. If your deck thrives on aggressive plays and game-changing moves, considering the inclusion of Goblin Chainwhirler could be your next advancement. Are you ready to make informed decisions to optimize your deck and outplay opponents? Enhance your MTG experience with deeper insights and strategic advice that can only be found here. Delve into a treasure trove of tips and tricks designed to turn your game plan into a winning strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Chainwhirler MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Dominaria Promos, 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 Chainwhirler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Chainwhirler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27DominariaDOM 1292015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 129p2015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 129s2015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Chainwhirler has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-04-27 If the damage Goblin Chainwhirler would deal to a player is prevented, it still deals 1 damage to that player’s creatures and planeswalkers.
2018-04-27 In a Two-Headed Giant game, the Goblin Chainwhirler’s last ability causes the opposing team to lose 2 life.