Mogg of the Month July '24: Goblin Matron

Last month our brand new feature showcased a brand new card. This month it seemed right to feature an older card, so without further ado:

Mogg of the Month for July 2024 is Goblin Matron!

How could it not be?

This is one of, if not the most iconic goblin cards in all of Magic the Gathering™. First printed in 7th Edition then Urzas Saga, Matron has been a staple of goblin decks ever since. Initially only available to Vintage and Legacy decks, it wasn't legal in Modern until it was reprinted in Modern Horizons 1 in 2019. Since then it has enabled goblin decks to move away from the fast and aggressive "8-whack" style decks and into the more interactive midrange and combo builds.

A guaranteed "4 of" in every goblin deck. Goblin Matron allows us to search our library for any goblin card. It could be a combo piece, a silver bullet to get us out of a sticky situation, a lord effect or Ringleader, or even another Goblin Matron. Always finding exactly what we need for just 3 mana.

The Gobmother has plenty of different arts for players to choose from. I find myself preferring the Dominaria Remastered retro frame because my first foil playset was the MH1 printing.

Such an old iconic card has been written about countless times, here's what others have to said about Goblin Matron:

"What sets Goblin Matron apart is her unparalleled versatility. With her ability to tutor for any Goblin card, she provides a solution for every scenario. This flexibility makes her essential in any serious Goblin deck, ensuring that players can adapt to a wide range of matchups and board states."

"In the era of Modern Horizons and beyond, Goblin Matron has revitalized Goblin strategies. No longer confined to the hyper-aggressive "8-whack" decks, Goblin decks can now explore midrange and combo paths with greater consistency. The Matron’s ability to fetch crucial pieces like Conspicuous Snoop for combo kills, or Goblin Cratermaker for versatile removal, showcases her importance in these new archetypes. She not only facilitates a more interactive style of play but also increases the resilience and depth of Goblin strategies."

"It's not just her gameplay impact that makes Goblin Matron beloved, but also her iconic status within the Magic community. She represents the archetypal goblin: mischievous yet loyal, chaotic yet cunning. For many players, she is a nostalgic reminder of the early days of Magic, a card that has stood the test of time and remained relevant across multiple formats and generations of players."

So, let's raise a goblet of grog in honor of Goblin Matron, the Mogg of the Month for July 2024. Her continued presence in the game exemplifies the enduring appeal of the Goblin tribe and the strategic depth they offer. As long as there are Goblins, there will be a place for the Matron, leading the charge and finding the perfect card at just the right moment. Here's to many more victories under her wise and wily guidance!

What is your favourite goblin card? Leave a comment below and we could feature it in the next Mogg of the Month!

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WELCOME

Welcome to Goblin Gathering! I have created this site to help manage and nurture my unhealthy obsession with goblins in Magic The Gathering™ It will be updated periodically as new goblin cards are released and I will aim to keep it an informative space for any players with an interest in goblin decks. I will strive to write semi-regularly but only with goblin relevant content. if you have any ideas or would like to create content for this site then you can email me at: admin@goblingathering.com If you've come this far please leave a comment on any of the articles. -Trashman

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