Goblin War Strike

Goblin War Strike was released in 2003 as part of the Scourge expansion for Magic: The Gathering. As the final set in the Onslaught block, Scourge focused heavily on the mechanics of mana ramping and tribal synergies, particularly for the Goblin creature type, which had become a dominant force in the game's competitive landscape during that era.

The card's artwork was commissioned from longtime Magic contributor Pete Venters, who aimed to capture the chaotic and often self-destructive nature of Goblin culture. By depicting a swarm of Goblins launching themselves into battle, the illustration emphasizes the sorcery's mechanical theme of sacrificing aggressive creature presence to deal direct damage to an opponent, a design choice that cemented its utility in red-aligned tribal decks.