Dropkick Bomber – Foundations
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2024
Ratings:
Constructed: 3.63
Casual: 5.00
Limited: 3.50
Multiplayer: 3.50
Commander [EDH]: 3.88
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is bad. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Reviews Below:
I cannot believe that in 30 years of Magic, there are only about three illustrations that so clearly depicts goblins throwing each other at the enemy. I can hardly think of a more goblin-like thing to do, and Goblin Artillery has been pulling a disproportionate amount of weight for the concept (Fodder Cannon is more equivocal). But now that we have a card that can do it at will, bounded only by mana, and is a lord on top of it, I think we also have a new title-holder for the most powerful version of the concept. It lacks the sort of timing restrictions often placed by designers to keep things under control in Standard and/or limited, and thus can be used offensively, defensively, and surprisingly laterally – it’s both a red pseudo-Overrun and a sacrifice effect, if you play it right. The thing is, of course, that you need goblins; they’re not a major draftable theme in Foundations, and the accompanying Jumpstart will have you playing with half your deck being a different theme or kindred, so it may not actually shine the most there. I foresee an awful lot of casual play for the card, though.
Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 5
Limited: 3.5 (in Foundations; I feel like this might be fun in those kindred cubes I read about on the internet)
Multiplayer: 3.5
Commander [EDH]: 3.5
At this point, I swear Goblins might be the creature type with the most lords among its ranks, and the newest addition is a fun sort of lateral take. Dropkick Bomber lets you yeet your Goblins into the enemy’s face, bypassing what is sometimes one of their weaknesses (a general lack of evasion). You can even just kick them skyward to keep flying creatures at bay if you need to go into a defensive maneuver, and while the Goblins dying is a cost, remember that Goblins do have ways to turn their death into advantages all the same. It may not be the one leading the charge, but Dropkick Bomber adds an excellent additional dimension to the Goblin gameplan.
Constructed: 3.75 (Goblins are maybe not quite Standard-ready unless I’m missing something, and while it’s not terrible, it’s hardly my first choice for a Goblin lord in deeper formats)
Casual: 5
Limited: 3.5 (I feel like Goblins aren’t going to be the easiest thing to draft around, and he does not buff himself)
Multiplayer: 3.5
Commander [EDH]: 4.25 (surprisingly good at breaking stalemates in a pinch)
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