Goblin Ski Patrol 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
: This creature gets +2/+0 and gains flying. Its controller sacrifices it at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only once and only if you control a snow Mountain.
Complete guide
In the cold peaks of Terisiare, Goblin Ski Patrol takes high-stakes maneuvers to the extreme. This red creature offers a significant temporary power boost and evasion, but at a permanent cost to its life. Understanding the timing and restrictions of its unique snow-land requirement is key to making this goblin's final flight count.
A One-Time Flight
For the cost of one red and one generic mana, Goblin Ski Patrol gets +2/0 and gains flying. However, this ability comes with two strict conditions: you must control at least one snow Mountain to activate it, and the ability can only be activated once per game. Even if the creature changes controllers or is somehow reset, that 'once per game' limit applies to that specific permanent.
The End Step Sacrifice
The sacrifice clause is a delayed triggered ability that goes on the stack at the beginning of the next end step. If you activate the ability during your turn, you must sacrifice the Goblin at the start of your own end step. If you find a way to activate it during an opponent's turn, the sacrifice will happen at the beginning of their end step.
Snow Mountain Requirement
The requirement to control a snow Mountain is only checked at the moment you announce the activation. If you lose control of your snow Mountain after the ability has been activated but before it resolves, the ability will still resolve normally. Note that regular Mountains do not satisfy this requirement; the land must have the 'snow' supertype.
Interaction examples
Professional Face-BreakerWith a snow Mountain on board, you activate Goblin Ski Patrol to make it a 3/1 flyer. It attacks successfully, and because it dealt combat damage, Professional Face-Breaker triggers to create a Treasure token. Since you must sacrifice the Goblin at the end step anyway, using it to generate resources like Treasures ensures its 'final mission' provides lasting value for your board state.
Ornithopter of ParadiseIf your opponent attacks with an Ornithopter of Paradise, you can use the mana from your own sources to activate Goblin Ski Patrol's ability. It gains flying, allowing it to legally block the Thopter. After combat, when the end step begins, the sacrifice trigger will resolve, but you will have successfully defended your life total using the Goblin's temporary flight.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Goblin Ski Patrol
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Goblin Ski Patrol's ability may be activated only once in the entire game. If its ability is activated and then it changes controllers, its ability may not be activated again, and its new controller will still have to sacrifice it at the beginning of the End step.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Goblin Ski Patrol
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.