Goblin Rabblemaster

Goblin Rabblemaster

Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins Rare
Mana Cost: {2}{R}
Type: Creature — Goblin Warrior
P/T: 2/2
Goblin Rabblemaster Text:
Other Goblin creatures you control attack each combat if able. At the beginning of combat on your turn, create a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste. Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking Goblin.
Artist: Svetlin Velinov
Collector Number: 46
Release Date: 2017-10-24
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-29T08:15:58.519978 • Legacy Format

The Powerhouse of Goblin Rabblemaster: A Comprehensive Review

TL;DR Summary

Goblin Rabblemaster is a powerful and versatile creature that generates an army of smaller goblins to attack with, while also benefiting from the combat prowess of its bigger goblin allies. Its ability to create tokens quickly makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that rely on swarming the board.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Goblin Rabblemaster is a 2/2 creature with a mana cost of {2}{R}. At the beginning of combat on your turn, it creates a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste. This token shares the same abilities as Rabblemaster: it attacks if able, and its own attack increases by +1/+0 for each other attacking Goblin.

The key to Rabblemaster's power lies in its ability to create an army of smaller goblins to attack with. These creatures are all controlled by you and will attack with you during combat if they're able. This can be incredibly effective against opponents who are unable to block or remove these small creatures from the battlefield.

Rabblemaster also has a unique interaction with other Goblin creatures on the battlefield. Whenever it attacks, its +1/+0 boost is applied to each attacking Goblin creature on the battlefield. This means that even if you're not directly controlling Rabblemaster, any Goblin allies you have will benefit from its combat presence.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Goblin Rabblemaster is a great addition to aggressive decks that rely on swarming the board with small creatures. Its ability to create tokens quickly makes it an excellent choice for combos that focus on quick attacks and removal of opposing creatures.

One popular combination involves pairing Rabblemaster with other Goblin creatures like Goblin Guide or Goblin Piledriver. These creatures can provide additional attacking power and removal options, making it easier to clear the way for your smaller goblins.

Another strategy involves using Rabblemaster as a "goblin generator" that creates tokens to attack with. This can be particularly effective in combo decks that rely on token generation and acceleration.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Goblin Rabblemaster is typically played in aggressive decks that focus on swarming the board with small creatures. It's often paired with other Goblin creatures, removal spells, and acceleration enchantments to generate an army of tokens quickly.

Some popular deck archetypes for Goblin Rabblemaster include:

  • Mono-Red Aggro: This deck focuses on quick attacks and removal of opposing creatures.
  • Goblin Tribal: This deck is all about playing as many Goblins as possible and using their abilities to overwhelm the opponent.
  • Token Generation: This deck generates an army of tokens quickly, often with the help of Rabblemaster.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Goblin Rabblemaster has seen play in various formats, including Modern and Commander. In Modern, it's often played in aggressive decks that focus on swarming the board with small creatures.

In Commander, Goblin Rabblemaster is a staple of many Goblin-themed decks and can be used to generate an army of tokens quickly.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Goblin Rabblemaster's ability creates a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste at the beginning of combat on your turn. This means that even if you don't control any other creatures, this token will still attack with you during the main phase of combat.

The boost to attacking power provided by Rabblemaster's +1/+0 increase applies only to creatures that are controlled by you. If an opponent plays a creature that attacks alongside your Goblin allies, they won't benefit from Rabblemaster's boost.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Goblin Rabblemaster's art features the creature standing atop a pile of skulls and bones, surrounded by smaller Goblin warriors. The flavor text reads "Rabblemasters love battle. When there's fighting to be done, they're the first ones in the thick of it."

This card is part of the original Innistrad set, released in 2011. At the time, it was considered a relatively powerful creature that provided an advantage for Goblin players.

Summary of Key Points

  • Goblin Rabblemaster creates an army of smaller goblins to attack with.
  • Its ability applies boosts to its own attacking power based on other attacking Goblins.
  • It's typically played in aggressive decks that focus on swarming the board with small creatures.
  • Goblin Rabblemaster is playable in various formats, including Modern and Commander.

Conclusion

Goblin Rabblemaster is a powerful creature that can generate an army of smaller goblins to attack with. Its ability to create tokens quickly makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that rely on swarming the board. With its versatility and strategic uses, Goblin Rabblemaster is a staple of many formats, including Modern and Commander.

Additionally, its synergy with other Goblin creatures and removal spells makes it an excellent choice for controlling the board and generating an advantage in combat.

In Modern, Goblin Rabblemaster is often paired with other aggressive creatures like Goblin Chainwhisperer or Searing Blaze. These creatures can provide additional attacking power and removal options, making it easier to clear the way for your smaller goblins.

In Commander, Goblin Rabblemaster is often used in combination with other Goblin-themed cards like Goblin's Blade or Goblin's Piledriver. These cards can provide additional removal options and attacking power, making it easier to generate an army of tokens quickly.

Overall, Goblin Rabblemaster is a versatile and powerful creature that can be used in a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to create tokens quickly makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that rely on swarming the board.