You don't need Lifelink to use this guy effectively. Taking 3 damage to kill your opponent's evasive beaters is a good trade-off. Doing it a couple times gives you significant card advantage.
Played well, this card can let you gain control of the battlefield and get through with all your other goblins. It doesn't matter what your life total is if your opponent dies first.
P.S. Basilisk Collar > Lifelink for this guy. Just saying.
Posted By:
VampireCat
(1/10/2011 1:47:11 PM)
This thing can be a powerhouse. If you get a good start you should've hit your opponent for 5 damage by turn three already. Then put this one on the field and keep the attack going. Won me a few games.
Posted By:
Panpl
(7/30/2011 1:54:24 AM)
After using this to take down Baneslayer Angel, a Skithiryx (they thought they would get away with tapping that mana...), and an Elspeth, Knight-Errant tonight, I'm gonna go ahead and say this card is decently underrated. At least when you're using it in conjunction with Lighting Bolt or Galvanic Blast.
Posted By:
SeiberTross
(3/29/2011 1:12:19 PM)
I have used this to win, without life link. You just have to have a commanding lead. I love goblins.
Posted By:
darthbiobi
(7/31/2009 10:34:13 AM)
Not in M11 (nor Orcish)... I miss him.
Posted By:
Gabriel422
(6/14/2011 7:41:49 PM)
Shouldn't this be sac a goblin rather than 3 damage to you?
Posted By:
Vedalken_Arbiter
(4/13/2010 12:53:08 PM)
The funny thing about this is it becomes awesome if you have Protean Hydra with an equipped Pariah's Shield XD. And even better if they both have Lifelink.
Anyways, just put Lifelink on the goblin and bam, you're dealing 2 damage to a target, 3 damage to yourself, but gaining 5 life.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(9/25/2010 10:49:15 PM)
Lifelink on this, and it's no joke. Tap to deal 2 damage to anything, and gain 2 life.
Posted By:
sVs
(7/18/2009 8:00:01 AM)
This card may not make the cut in constructed, but it can prove rather useful in limited environments since it can take out key creatures or deal the last few points of damage. Also, it is possible to have 12 of these creatures in Casual. 4 goblins, 4 Orcish Artillery and 4 Orcish Cannoneers.
Posted By:
person1234
(8/17/2009 5:02:59 PM)
@Sironos
It's not that it's using your blood as ammo but rather that the catapult is of crappy engineering (totally flavorful for both goblins and red in general)
It's a backlash of either the ammo (uncontrolled explosion) or the catapult itself hurting you.
The sac a goblin thing has been done, see Goblin Grenade
Posted By:
OmegaSerris
(6/30/2011 11:32:09 AM)