The 45 Best Goblin Art Pieces in Magic Ranked

Goblin Bombardment | Illustration by Phil Foglio

When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, there’s one thing every deck has, no matter the color or strategy: art. Today, our goblin crew is heading to painting class to decide which goblin art is the best ever printed.

Curious to see which cards made the list? Let’s dive in.

What Makes Goblin Art Good in MTG?

Goblin Gathering | Illustration by Svetlin Velinov

While art is subjective to each person’s taste, the best goblin art in MTG is the kind that showcases goblins and instantly grabs your attention. Great goblin pieces usually mix the natural chaos this creature type brings to the table, and for this list, anything that has a goblin in it qualifies; it's not restricted to creatures, but includes other cards with goblins in the art.

#45. Goblin Token – Kev Walker (Dominaria)

Goblin | Illustration by Kev Walker

If I had to choose one Goblin token art, it would be the Dominaria one. It’s kind of funny seeing the creature on top of a trebuchet ready to deal some damage, one way or another.

#43. Eclipsed Boggart – Tiffany Turrill (Lorwyn Eclipsed)

Eclipsed Boggart | Illustration by Tiffany Turrill

Eclipsed Boggart feels exactly like a horned scout sent ahead to check what’s safe and what’s worth raiding before the rest of the goblins arrive.

#42. Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician – Wayne Reynolds (Time Spiral)

Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician | Illustration by Wayne Reynolds

Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician looks like a true goblin war general who treats everything on the battlefield as ammo. Nothing is off limits against enemies, not even throwing allies into the blast if it wins the fight.

#41. Ultimate Green Goblin – Jesper Ejsing (Marvel's Spider-Man)

Ultimate Green Goblin | Illustration by Jesper Ejsing

In this version, Ultimate Green Goblin looks like Norman Osborn traded gadgets for raw muscle, and the art makes that clear right away.

#40. Green Goblin, Nemesis – Dan Dos Santos (Marvel's Spider-Man Eternal)

Green Goblin, Nemesis (Scene Box) | Illustration by Dan Dos Santos

This one leans hard into classic comic-book energy, and Green Goblin, Nemesis nails that look with the bright green and purple palette and the glider diving through the sky mid-attack. He's relegated to the upper right corner of a larger art piece used for the Marvel's Spider-Man Scene Box.

#39. Warren Soultrader – Pete Venters (Modern Horizons 3)

Warren Soultrader | Illustration by Pete Venters

Warren Soultrader reads like a goblin executioner-priest, draining life from another goblin and converting it into power. It strongly implies harsh internal hierarchy, where weaker bodies become currency in a brutal system.

#38. Grenzo, Crooked Jailer – Darren Tan (Alchemy: Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

Grenzo, Crooked Jailer | Illustration by Darren Tan

Even as a digital-only design, Grenzo, Crooked Jailer has standout art that sells brute authority right away. Grenzo feels more like a riot enforcer than a typical goblin rogue.

#37. Broadside Bombardiers – Tomek Larek (The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander)

Broadside Bombardiers | Illustration by Tomek Larek

Few goblin pieces capture reckless pirate energy this well. At first glance the crew on Broadside Bombardiers looks almost monkey-like, but the scene is pure goblin improvisation: One lights the fuse, one braces the cannon, and one drags ammo like they’re ready to launch anything they can find, from real shot to random kitchen scrap, straight into the next ship.

#36. Goro-Goro and Satoru – Johannes Voss (March of the Machine Commander)

Goro-Goro and Satoru | Illustration by Johannes Voss

At a glance, the art on Goro-Goro and Satoru feels like a full action scene frozen at the best possible frame. It looks like a dragon spirit is being called into battle as the blade moves.

#35. Slimefoot and Squee – Victor Adame Minguez (March of the Machine Commander)

Slimefoot and Squee | Illustration by Victor Adame Minguez

In the art for Slimefoot and Squee, Slimefoot takes center stage like the heavy hitter while Squee hangs slightly behind with sword up, giving the scene a scrappy last-stand feel.

#34. Skirk Prospector – (Slawomir Maniak) Dominaria

Skirk Prospector | Illustration by Slawomir Maniak

Skirk Prospector shows a whole goblin mining team, all focused on one thing: Keep mining until the work is done.

#33. Goblin Matron – Jesper Ejsing (Modern Horizons)

Goblin Matron | Illustration by Jesper Ejsing

If human mothers can be intimidating, goblin mothers look downright terrifying here. In Goblin Matron, the whole scene feels like she runs the warren from the shadows.

#32. Goblin Blast-Runner – Joseph Weston (The Brothers' War)

Goblin Blast-Runner | Illustration by Joseph Weston

Goblin Blast-Runner captures classic goblin thinking: not the smartest, charging in with a bomb, and it very possibly might forget to drop it.

#31. _____ Goblin – Chuck Lukacs (Unfinity)

_____ Goblin | Illustration by Chuck Lukacs

_____ Goblin looks like a goblin having the time of its life in a cosmic amusement park. It’s silly in the best way, and that’s exactly why the art stands out.

#30. Boartusk Liege – Jesper Ejsing (Shadowmoor)

Boartusk Liege | Illustration by Jesper Ejsing

Seeing a goblin mounted in full battle posture is rare, which is why the art on Boartusk Liege hits so hard. It also fits the goblin mindset perfectly, where the mount isn’t just a ride to war, but maybe part of the post-battle feast, too.

#29. Dockside Extortionist – Forrest Imel (Commander 2019)

Dockside Extortionist | Illustration by Forrest Imel

Goblin pirates are common now, but this take stands out because Dockside Extortionist looks more like a slick dock trader than a wild raider.

#28. Grumgully, the Generous – Milivoj Ceran (Throne of Eldraine)

Grumgully, the Generous | Illustration by Milivoj Ceran

Grumgully, the Generous is a goblin shaman who sampled too many mushrooms and then decided to share the whole experience with everyone else. Kind of reminds me of Radagast from Lord of the Rings, and I have no doubt they’d be best buds.

#27. Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei – Mike Jordana (Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty)

Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei | Illustration by Mike Jordana

This solo take gives Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei a different vibe, where the sword work seems to summon fiery, spiritual dragon shapes instead of lightning.

#26. Muxus, Goblin Grandee – Dmitry Burmak (Jumpstart 2022)

Muxus, Goblin Grandee | Illustration by Dmitry Burmak

Another take on goblin royalty shows up in Muxus, Goblin Grandee, where the king is literally carried by other goblins and covered in flashy jewels. Usually, these are just the ones that are a bit smarter than the rest, just enough to command the group.

#25. Wort, the Raidmother – Dave Allsop (Shadowmoor)

Wort, the Raidmother | Illustration by Dave Allsop

At a glance, Wort, the Raidmother is instantly recognizable as the goblin mother figure, with too many little goblins piled all around her at once. It’s unsettling, funny, and very on-brand for goblin art.

#24. Grub, Notorious Auntie – Jesper Ejsing (Lorwyn Eclipsed)

Grub, Storied Matriarch / Grub, Notorious Auntie | Illustration by Jesper Ejsing

On the back face, Grub, Notorious Auntie feels like a clear transformation from Grub, Storied Matriarch, shifting from ritual-minded shaman to aggressive war leader. The gameplay identity changes with it too, since blighting creatures to make temporary attacking copies creates fast pressure and that classic goblin chaos, like Grub is throwing the whole camp into one explosive swing.

#23. Goblin Wardriver – Chippy (Mirrodin Besieged)

Goblin Wardriver | Illustration by Chippy

Charging downhill with a weapon that looks pieced together from scrap, Goblin Wardriver captures a true battlefield brute who fights with whatever is available. This goblin isn’t waiting for orders and is charging straight into combat with junk turned into a weapon.

#22. Goblin Rabblemaster – Svetlin Velinov (Magic 2015)

Goblin Rabblemaster | Illustration by Svetlin Velinov

Goblin Rabblemaster comes off like a wild battlefield general, rallying goblins out of the dust and straight into a full riot. It has that perfect goblin energy of zero discipline, all momentum, and total violence.

#21. Goblin Lackey – Christopher Moeller (From the Vault: Exiled)

Goblin Lackey | Illustration by Christopher Moeller

In this artwork, Goblin Lackey feels more like a living cannonball than a regular attacker, launched forward to wreck anything in its path.

#20. Goblin Sharpshooter – Karl Kopinski (Commander 2013)

Goblin Sharpshooter | Illustration by Karl Kopinski

Goblin Sharpshooter has a funny, scrappy vibe, with the goblin looking more like a prank sniper than an elite marksman.

#19. Legion Loyalist – Eric Deschamps (Gatecrash)

Legion Loyalist | Illustration by Eric Deschamps

Legion Loyalist proves that size means nothing next to pure fighting spirit. This tiny goblin is already out front with sword raised, while the bigger soldiers trail behind, which makes the art feel like the smallest warrior is the one that incites everyone else to charge into battle.

#18. Goblin Bushwhacker – Mark Tedin (Zendikar)

Goblin Bushwhacker | Illustration by Mark Tedin

Goblin Bushwhacker is drawn as the perfect ambush predator, perched in the rocks and ready to jump on anyone moving through the pass without noticing. Even the scratch marks on the wall add to the story, hinting that this isn’t the first victim to walk this route.

#17. Goblin Ruinblaster – Matt Cavotta (Zendikar)

Goblin Ruinblaster | Illustration by Matt Cavotta

Goblin Ruinblaster gives off pure front-line demolition energy, since this goblin doesn’t wait in the back and charges ahead carrying the explosive personally.

#16. Boggart Ram-Gang – Dave Allsop (Shadowmoor)

Boggart Ram-Gang | Illustration by Dave Allsop

Whether it’s a piece of wood, a door, or a whole tree trunk, Boggart Ram-Gang shows that goblins always find a way through.

#15. Krark-Clan Shaman – Thomas M. Baxa (Mirrodin)

Krark-Clan Shaman | Illustration by Thomas M. Baxa

Krark-Clan Shaman captures that Mirrodin survival-at-all-costs vibe, showing a goblin shaman that weaponizes molten heat to stay alive.

#14. Mons's Goblin Raiders – Jeff A. Menges (Starter 2000)

Mons's Goblin Raiders | Illustration by Jeff A. Menges

Mons's Goblin Raiders nails the classic goblin vibe: pure disorder, reckless energy, and zero discipline. Altogether, it captures old-school goblin identity in a single image.

#13. Goblin Wizardry – Izzy (Core Set 2021)

Goblin Wizardry | Illustration by Izzy

A single miscast is all the proof needed that goblins and spellbooks do not mix. In Goblin Wizardry, one goblin throws unstable magic while the other gets blasted at point-blank range, with books and debris flying through the room and turning the whole image into a total magical mess.

#12. Festering Goblin – Thomas M. Baxa (Onslaught)

Festering Goblin | Illustration by Thomas M. Baxa

This version of Festering Goblin reads like a zombie take on a normal goblin, with the same wiry shape but a much darker, decayed look. Missing chunks of flesh makes it look like it kept moving long after it should have fallen.

#11. Goblin Bombardment – Phil Foglio (Secret Lair Drop #2024)

Goblin Bombardment | Illustration by Phil Foglio

This Secret Lair take on Goblin Bombardment is exactly what it sounds like: a full barrage of goblins diving in like living explosives.

#10. Goblin War Strike – Peter Venters (Scourge)

Goblin War Strike | Illustration by Pete Venters

The art on Goblin War Strike sells the effect perfectly: The more goblins in the attack, the more damage the strike delivers.

#9. Goblin Sky Raider – Daren Bader (Onslaught)

Goblin Sky Raider | Illustration by Daren Bader

Much like humans, goblins dream of flying too, but here it lands closer to falling with style, a reckless glide powered by ragged wings and pure nerve on Goblin Sky Raider.

#8. Goblin Grenade – Kev Walker (Magic 2011)

Goblin Grenade | Illustration by Kev Walker

Goblin Grenade is peak goblin logic: If there are no weapons left, they just use a goblin as the weapon. The art shows one blasting through the sky with a lit fuse and zero hesitation, which nails that reckless, all-in energy.

#7. Goblin Chirurgeon – Daniel Gelon (Fallen Empires #54a)

Goblin Chirurgeon | Illustration by Daniel Gelon

With the stained apron, tiny instruments, and scary-looking saws in the background, Goblin Chirurgeon looks like pure bad news, not a doctor anyone would trust. But in goblin society, this is pretty much the best medical care available, rough, improvised, and just enough to patch someone up and throw them back into the action.

#6. Goblin Champion – Kev Walker (Modern Horizons)

Goblin Champion | Illustration by Kev Walker

Standing on top of a dragon, Goblin Champion looks ridiculously proud, like this tiny fighter just won the biggest battle of its life.

#5. Goblin Charbelcher – Jesper Ejsing (Eternal Masters)

Goblin Charbelcher | Illustration by Jesper Ejsing

If goblins can launch it, they will, and Goblin Charbelcher captures that perfectly. The bucket helmet, junk-cannon setup, and flying debris turn random trash into live ammo, while that wild grin sells the idea that this ridiculous plan somehow works every time.

#4. Dragonlord's Servant – Steve Prescot (Jumpstart)

Dragonlord's Servant | Illustration by Steve Prescott

Survival mode is front and center here, with a goblin hauling an oversized platter piled high with game like a hard-earned supply run. Dragonlord's Servant’s only instinct is to do whatever it takes to live, hunt bigger prey, and bring home food that looks way beyond its weight class.

#3. Vial Smasher, Gleeful Grenadier – Borja Pindado (Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

Vial Smasher, Gleeful Grenadier | Illustration by Borja Pindado

Vial Smasher, Gleeful Grenadier keeps the goblin costume evolution going, and this time it’s full cowboy cosplay. Pirate vibes are out, Wild West troublemaker vibes are in, with the hat, ammo belt, and that smug stance while an explosive flies in the background.

#2. Krenko, Mob Boss – Karl Kopinski (Magic 2013)

Krenko, Mob Boss | Illustration by Karl Kopinski

Of all the versions, the original art still feels like the best take on Krenko, Mob Boss because it looks exactly like what a goblin king should be: rough, dangerous, and clearly in charge without the need for flashy armor.

#1. Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker – Pete Venters (Champions of Kamigawa)

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker | Illustration by Pete Venters

Kamigawa goblins aren’t always the most appealing style, and Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker leans into that roach-like shell look, but the art still stands out because of the massive dragon presence in the background.

Wrap Up

Boggart Mischief | Illustration by Ron Spears

The look of goblins changes a lot from plane to plane. Early versions were often simpler and mostly bald, while newer takes add sharper, more menacing features like horns, rough armor, and creepier expressions, especially in darker sets. That contrast is part of what makes goblin art so fun to rank.

Now it’s time to hear from the community. Which artwork was your favorite, and was there a goblin piece that deserved a spot on this list but did not make it? Drop those picks in the comments or on the Draftsim Discord.

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