Marsh GoblinsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Marsh Goblins is a 1/1 creature for one black and one red mana. Its defining characteristic is Swampwalk, a keyword ability that provides a specific form of evasion. As long as the player you are attacking controls at least one land with the 'Swamp' subtype, Marsh Goblins cannot be blocked by any creatures, regardless of their keywords or abilities.

How it Resolves Step by Step

When you enter the declare attackers step, you choose Marsh Goblins to attack a player or planeswalker. Once attackers are declared, the game checks the defending player's board. If that player controls a Swamp, the 'can't be blocked' restriction immediately applies. The defending player then moves to the declare blockers step, but they are prohibited from assigning any creatures to block Marsh Goblins. The creature then proceeds to the combat damage step to deal its damage directly.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming Swampwalk requires the land to be a basic Swamp. In reality, it works if the opponent controls any land with the Swamp subtype, such as a Zagoth Triome or a Watery Grave. Another mistake is thinking Swampwalk can be 'turned off' if the land is tapped; the ability only cares about control of the land, not its status. Finally, remember that Swampwalk only checks the defending player's lands; if you attack a planeswalker, the controller of that planeswalker is the defending player.

When to Play it

Marsh Goblins is most effective in aggressive decks that need to ensure damage gets through to trigger 'combat damage' abilities. It shines in metas where black-based mid-range or control decks are prevalent, as their own mana base makes your Goblins unblockable. It also serves as a cheap sacrifice outlet for death-trigger synergies if its evasion is not needed.

Interaction examples

Generating Riches

Professional Face-Breaker

With Professional Face-Breaker on the battlefield, you attack an opponent who controls a Swamp with Marsh Goblins. Because of Swampwalk, Marsh Goblins cannot be blocked and deals 1 combat damage. This triggers Professional Face-Breaker, allowing you to create a Treasure token because one or more creatures dealt combat damage to a player.

Evasive Sacrifice

Blood Artist

If your opponent controls a Swamp, Marsh Goblins can freely attack to chip away at their life total. If the opponent eventually finds a way to destroy it with a spell, Blood Artist will trigger, causing the opponent to lose 1 life and you to gain 1 life, ensuring you get value from the Goblin even after its evasive run ends.