Hobgoblin Dragoon

Hobgoblin Dragoon was released in 2008 as part of the Eventide set, the second expansion in the Shadowmoor block for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Set on the plane of Shadowmoor, the expansion is defined by its dark, moody aesthetic and the 'hybrid mana' mechanic, which allowed spells to be cast using either of two different colors of mana. This card reflects the set's emphasis on creature combat and the aggressive red-black archetype prevalent during that era of play.

The card's illustration was created by artist Jesper Ejsing, whose work is known for bringing a gritty, tactile quality to the game's fantasy creatures. Ejsing focused on capturing the frantic, jagged movement of the Dragoon, utilizing a color palette that mirrors the twilight theme of the set. Upon its release, the card was generally viewed as a solid, functional piece of draft environment utility, valued primarily for its haste and first strike abilities which allowed for efficient early-game aggression.