Goblin Shortcutter MTG Card


The card offers indirect card advantage by limiting opponent’s blockers, potentially altering game dynamics. It accelerates your strategy by enabling quicker, unimpeded attacks, thereby enhancing board dominance. Similar to instant effects, its entry can unexpectedly disrupt opponent’s defenses, benefiting your plays.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Scout
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Goblin Shortcutter enters the battlefield, target creature can't block this turn.

"Goblins are cheap, but be careful. It's a lot easier to steal from a corpse than a customer." —Samila, Murasa Expeditionary House


Cards like Goblin Shortcutter

The appeal of the Goblin Shortcutter from Magic: The Gathering lies in its creature type and the utility it brings to Goblin-themed decks. As a comparison, we might look at Goblin Electromancer, another creature that offers a different kind of utility by reducing the mana cost of your instant and sorcery spells, enhancing spell-based strategies. The Shortcutter instead provides a more immediate impact on the battlefield by preventing a creature from blocking this turn when it enters, altering the dynamics of combat in your favor.

Considering the card Goblin Heelcutter, it also disrupts blocking patterns with its ability upon attacking. While Goblin Heelcutter’s effect is similar to that of Goblin Shortcutter, it offers a recursive option through its Dash ability, allowing for repeated applications of this effect. Conversely, the Shortcutter’s ability is a one-time event, but it comes into play immediately, without needing to be declared as an attacker, which can be advantageous in different situations.

In essence, while Goblin Shortcutter may not boast the universal versatility of some goblin options, it holds a distinct place by offering a strategic advantage during the turn it’s played, which can be pivotal in aggressive red strategies typical of the Goblin tribe in Magic: The Gathering.

Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Heelcutter - MTG Card versions
Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Heelcutter - MTG Card versions

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

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Goblin Shortcutter might not directly draw cards, but its battlefield entry effect can lead to card advantage by reducing the opponent’s blockers. This can allow your other creatures to connect more easily, potentially leading to drawing cards if you have certain synergies or commander abilities in play.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense of ramping mana, it can effectively accelerate your game plan. By sidelining potential blockers with its entered-the-battlefield ability, the Goblin Shortcutter enables quicker attacks, helping accelerate your overall board presence and damage output.

Instant Speed: Goblin Shortcutter operates at sorcery speed as a creature, but its enter-the-battlefield influence is similar to an instant-speed effect. Upon casting, it can instantly change the state of the board by affecting the opponent’s defensive lineup. This can catch an opponent off guard and disrupt their strategy, especially if they were relying on a specific blocker to maintain their game plan.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Goblin Shortcutter does not require a card to be discarded, it is important to understand that cards with such requirements can deplete your hand and leave you at a disadvantage, compromising your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card necessitates red mana to cast, which can potentially restrict its inclusion in multi-colored decks that might not reliably produce red mana each turn

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Goblin Shortcutter itself does not have a high mana cost, it’s worth considering how mana-efficient it is compared to other utility creatures in your deck, especially if playing in a fast-paced, highly competitive environment where every mana point counts.


Reasons to Include Goblin Shortcutter in Your Collection

Versatility: Goblin Shortcutter shines in decks that thrive on disrupting opponent’s strategies. Its ability to prevent a creature from blocking can be invaluable when paired with aggressive decks, looking to push through damage unimpeded.

Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well in combos that require attackers to connect with an opponent. It sets the stage for creatures with on-hit effects or for securing a win with a heavy-hitter without the fear of an untimely block.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta populated by creature-heavy or defense-oriented decks, Goblin Shortcutter proves its worth. The simple act of sidelining a potential blocker can turn the tides of a match, making it a strategic addition to your arsenal.


How to beat

Goblin Shortcutter shines in scenarios where quick and strategic creature blocking is essential. This creature’s ability to prevent a potential blocker from being declared during combat not only paves the way for other attackers to sneak through but can swing the momentum of a game. However, there are strategies to mitigate its impact on the battlefield. First, employing instant-speed removal spells can eliminate Goblin Shortcutter before its ability comes into effect, thus keeping your defenses up. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile can swiftly deal with the pesky goblin.

Another effective approach entails playing creatures with hexproof or shroud, rendering the Shortcutter’s ability irrelevant since it cannot target them. Alternatively, taking advantage of cards that generate multiple blockers, like Raise the Alarm, can also overwhelm the single-target nature of the Shortcutter’s effect. Keeping a diverse array of defenses in your deck is key to outmaneuvering the disruptive plays Goblin Shortcutter is known for. Adaptability and proactive removal are your best weapons in ensuring its entrance onto the field is nothing more than a minor nuisance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goblin Shortcutter MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Magic 2014, 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 Shortcutter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Goblin Shortcutter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 1282003NormalBlackJesper Ejsing
22013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1422003NormalBlackJesper Ejsing
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3302015NormalBlackJesper Ejsing

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Goblin Shortcutter has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal