Goblin Chainwhirler is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
First strike When this creature enters, it deals 1 damage to each opponent and each creature and planeswalker they control.
Complete guide
Goblin Chainwhirler is a powerhouse from the Dominaria set that provides incredible utility for an aggressive red deck. This three-mana creature doesn't just provide a solid body with first strike; it wipes out small threats and pressures your opponents simultaneously. Understanding how its enters-the-battlefield trigger interacts with your opponents' boards is key to mastering the red archetype.
What It Does
Goblin Chainwhirler is a 3/3 Goblin Warrior with First Strike costing three red mana. Its primary utility comes from its triggered ability: when it enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to each opponent, each creature they control, and each planeswalker they control. This makes it an effective tool for clearing away tokens and small utility creatures.
How It Resolves
When Goblin Chainwhirler enters the battlefield, its ability is placed on the stack. Upon resolution, the damage is dealt simultaneously to all valid targets. In multiplayer formats like Two-Headed Giant, this ability triggers for each opponent on the team, effectively dealing 1 damage to the team twice for a total of 2 life lost. If a player manages to prevent the damage dealt to themselves, the damage still successfully hits their creatures and planeswalkers.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting that the damage is dealt to all opponents and all their relevant permanents at once. It does not target, so creatures with Hexproof or Shroud will still take 1 damage. However, if an opponent has protection from red, the damage to that specific opponent or permanent will be prevented. Also, remember that this ability only triggers when it enters the battlefield, not when it attacks.
When to Play It
This card is best played when your opponent has multiple 1-toughness creatures, such as tokens or mana dorks, to maximize card advantage. It is also a great follow-up to an aggressive start, as the 1 damage to the opponent helps whittle down their life total while maintaining a presence on the board.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf your opponent has a Solemn Simulacrum that has already taken 1 damage earlier in the turn, casting Goblin Chainwhirler will deal the final 1 damage needed to destroy it. The opponent will then get to use the 'When this creature dies' trigger of Solemn Simulacrum to draw a card, but your Goblin remains on the board as a 3/3 threat.
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Goblin' as it entered, its static ability will apply to your Goblin Chainwhirler. When Goblin Chainwhirler enters the battlefield, its ability triggers twice instead of once. This results in 2 damage to each opponent and 2 damage to each creature and planeswalker they control, effectively clearing out even larger threats like 2-toughness creatures.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Goblin Chainwhirler
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the damage Goblin Chainwhirler would deal to a player is prevented, it still deals 1 damage to that player’s creatures and planeswalkers.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
In a Two-Headed Giant game, the Goblin Chainwhirler’s last ability causes the opposing team to lose 2 life.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Goblin Chainwhirler
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.