Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer MTG Card


Slobad offers card advantage by protecting key artifacts, crucial for maintaining board control. Its instant speed ability provides flexible defense against threats without wasting mana. While powerful, Slobad’s discard requirement and red mana reliance are strategic considerations.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Goblin Artificer
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Sacrifice an artifact: Target artifact becomes indestructible until end of turn. ("Destroy" effects and lethal damage don't destroy that artifact.)

"I used to joke that he had been exiled for being too smart. Now I know why he never laughed." —Glissa Sunseeker


Cards like Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer

Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer provides a unique angle on artifact manipulation within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This quirky goblin shares similarities to other artifact-centric commanders like Daretti, Scrap Savant. While Daretti focuses on recycling artifacts directly from the graveyard to the battlefield, Slobad takes a more protective role, enabling players to safeguard their valuable artifacts by sacrificing others.

Another card that echoes Slobad’s artifact synergy is Goblin Welder. It allows swapping artifacts from the graveyard and the battlefield, almost like an inverse to Slobad’s ability. The major difference is that Welder is used aggressively to reanimate powerful artifacts, whereas Slobad is more defensive, ensuring the survival of key pieces in your setup.

Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient is yet another card in this family of artifact lovers, with the ability to duplicate activated abilities of artifacts. However, unlike Slobad, Kurkesh doesn’t offer the same protective utility. Each of these goblins carves out a unique niche, but in the art of saving precious artifacts from destruction, few can match the tactical edge Slobad brings to the table.

Daretti, Scrap Savant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Welder - MTG Card versions
Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient - MTG Card versions
Daretti, Scrap Savant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Welder - MTG Card versions
Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer 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
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Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
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Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
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Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Stigma Lasher - 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
Stigma Lasher - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer provides a smart tool for manipulating your board state. With his ability to sacrifice artifacts, you’re able to convert them into potential protection for key pieces, which effectively translates into maintaining card advantage over the long game. The versatility in choosing which artifact to keep safe is a subtle, strategic boon.

Resource Acceleration: While Slobad himself may not generate additional resources directly, he enables resource acceleration through his sacrificial mechanic. By protecting high-impact artifacts, you ensure that your resource engine remains intact, which often results in a smoother, more consistent ramp in your game plan.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Slobad lies in his passive ability which operates at instant speed. This gives you the leeway to respond to threats or unfavorable scenarios on the fly, without having to commit mana and actions during your turn. This instant-speed interaction allows for a dynamic defense strategy, keeping opponents guessing and your valuable artifacts shielded from sudden removal or board wipes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The ability of Slobad Goblin Tinkerer to protect artifacts comes at the price of discarding another card, which can be a strategic setback when your hand is already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s reliance on red mana could hinder its incorporation into multicolored decks where the red sources are limited, potentially affecting the deck’s consistency and flow.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite Slobad’s utility in artifact-centric strategies, its mana cost is substantial for its base stats and ability. Players might prefer alternatives that provide either cheaper artifact protection or more powerful abilities at a similar cost.


Reasons to Include Slobad Goblin Tinkerer in Your Collection

Versatility: Slobad Goblin Tinkerer is a unique card that can be a key piece in artifact-centric decks. Its ability to sacrifice an artifact to protect another is a valuable tool that provides flexibility in how you manage your battlefield.

Combo Potential: This goblin’s ability to grant indestructibility opens up numerous combo opportunities. It allows you to engage in risky plays with powerful artifacts knowing that you have a safeguard in place, potentially leading to game-winning moves.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where artifacts are prevalent or when facing strategies that heavily rely on artifact removal, Slobad offers a level of resilience. He can help maintain your board presence and ensure your critical artifacts survive targeted destruction.


How to Beat Slobad Goblin Tinkerer

Slobad Goblin Tinkerer is a unique character in the MTG universe. This cunning artifact aficionado offers an intriguing ability: sacrificing an artifact to make another artifact indestructible until the end of the turn. To successfully navigate against a Slobad-led strategy, players need a game plan focused on nullifying his protective charm.

One effective approach is to target Slobad himself with exile effects or spells and abilities that can bypass his sacrificial ability, such as those that do not target, but rather affect all creatures or all artifacts. Spot removal spells that don’t destroy but rather send to hand or shuffle into the library are another way to mitigate the Goblin Tinkerer’s effect. Additionally, constant pressure to control the board and keep artifact counts low will limit the benefits Slobad can bestow upon his mechanical creations, making him far less of a threat.

In essence, the key to defusing the menace of Slobad Goblin Tinkerer lies in adaptive strategies that focus on reducing overall artifact reliance, combined with precise timing to remove or disrupt its abilities before its protection becomes active. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll diminish the power this goblin welder wields on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Reflecting on Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer, it’s apparent that this card is crafted for artful MTG strategists who adore artifacts. His ability to protect while offering a shield at instant speed makes him an asset in any artifact-heavy deck. However, every card has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these nuances is crucial. If you’re looking to fortify your artifact strategies, incorporate the cunning of Slobad into your lineup. Keen to discover more insights and elevate your strategies with cards like Slobad? Dig deeper into the world of MTG with us, where every card is a step toward the ultimate victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and Commander 2016, 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 Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-02-06DarksteelDST 692003NormalBlackKev Walker
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1332015NormalBlackKev Walker
32020-09-26The ListPLST C16-1332015NormalBlackKev Walker
42022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1181997NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-12-01 Damage wears off simultaneously with this effect ending, so it does save an artifact creature from lethal damage.