If you're also familiar with Dungeons and
Dragons or Pathfinder, you probably find
Shadowmoor's hobgoblins a little confusing, to
say the least. In the old dialects where the
word comes from, the suffix "hob" actually meant
"small", so it's actually modern fantasy that
distorted the original meaning to create the
tall, militaristic goblins we're used to.
Some cards are just very solid, and that's all
they have to be. Hearthfire Hobgoblin is one:
you always know exactly what you're getting with
it. Of course, since double strike is arguably
the most powerful combat ability and red and
white are both known for playing well with
equipment, sometimes you get even more than
that. Nobody talks about Loxodon Warhammer any
more, which is a mystery when you consider that
this card exists.
Today's card of the day is Hearthfire Hobgoblin
which is a three Red or White mana 2/2 goblin
soldier with Double Strike. With two
heavily supported types this is a very solid and
easily overlooked card for goblin, soldier, or
Boros builds. Newer three mana 2/2 Double
Strike creature have additional effects that can
benefit a deck in other ways, but the hybrid
Red/White mana symbols and goblin type have
value for specific builds. Overall a
playable if unremarkable card that is easily
enhanced to be a serious threat.
It's a mixed bag. being a hybrid is cool. Double
strike is always nice, and it's a reasonable
cost. It'll rarely change the game for what it
is, but with the right equips or enchants, it
can do stuff. Not great, not terrible. Just sort
of there.
