The Goblin is a fast-attacking, melee troop that costs only 2 Golden Elixir, making it one of the cheapest units in Merge Tactics. Tagged with the Goblin and Assassin traits, he serves as a high-risk, high-reward pick that can deliver fast damage when properly supported or merged. His design is that of a mischievous green creature with bright green eyes, sharp ears, and a wide nose, equipped with a dagger and simple clothing in team colors. While his individual stats aren’t overwhelming, his low cost and trait synergy potential allow him to play an outsized role in Elixir generation and aggressive backline disruption.
Role and Core Mechanics
Goblin is a single-target melee attacker with very high attack speed but low health and low base damage. He thrives in situations where he can get the first strike, especially at higher star levels where his damage output scales significantly. His 0.66-second attack interval allows him to dish out consistent hits, and when merged to 3-Star or 4-Star, his damage per second can rival or exceed higher-cost troops. However, he is also extremely fragile and will fall quickly if exposed to enemy fire, so timing and support are crucial.
Synergy with the Goblin Trait
One of Goblin’s strongest features is his synergy with the Goblin trait, which includes him and Spear Goblin. When the Goblin trait is active, you gain extra copies of Goblin or Spear Goblin, and successful merges of those units return bonus Elixir — tripling the value of the merge. For example, merging two 1-Star Goblins can return 3 Elixir, and that amount increases with higher-star merges. This allows players to gain early board control and accumulate massive Elixir advantages over time. A full Goblin lineup isn’t always necessary; sometimes it’s better to run just Goblin and Spear Goblin, increasing your odds of drawing and merging them effectively.
Early Game Elixir Advantage
Goblin’s low deployment cost makes him an ideal tool for aggressive early game strategies. When paired with Spirit Empress, his Elixir return becomes even more significant. With Goblin and Spear Goblin in play, Spirit Empress allows 2-Star merges to return +2 Elixir, 3-Star merges return +4, and 4-Star merges return a massive +6 Elixir. This creates an opportunity to flood the board with upgraded troops while maintaining a high Elixir bank. Many players use this Elixir-farming strategy not to rely on the Goblins for combat, but rather to generate enough resources to afford stronger cards like Dart Goblin or Goblin Machine.
Assassin Trait and Backline Hunting
Goblin also benefits from the Assassin trait, which allows troops to focus on and reach enemy backliners. This makes him a cheap and effective counter against decks relying on ranged carries like Blasters, Rangers, Mages, or Fire-based units. His speed and targeting priority allow him to bypass frontline tanks and reach the real threats in the enemy’s formation. To use this strategy effectively, players must pair him with strong frontline tanks who can draw attention away from him, giving the Goblin enough time to deal damage before being taken out.
Best Pairings and Deck Placement
Goblin works best when used alongside other cheap and aggressive troops or in decks built around trait synergy. Spear Goblin is his most obvious partner, helping activate the Goblin trait. In Assassin-focused lineups, he can be paired with Bandit, who thrives in the backline and becomes even more dangerous if she is assigned as Captain through the Ace system. Since Goblin is melee and fragile, it’s crucial to place him where he can rush enemies without getting hit first. He performs best when dropped later in the round or hidden behind distraction units like Knight or Valkyrie.
Weaknesses and Counters
Despite his speed, Goblin has several limitations. His low health pool means he’s often eliminated by area damage or crowd control before he can fully execute his purpose. He’s especially vulnerable to troops like Wizard or Princess, who can wipe out low-health troops instantly. Additionally, if your early merges fail, you may lose tempo and fall behind in board control. Goblin-focused strategies can also become Elixir traps — overcommitting to merges in search of free Elixir can leave you without a functional board if you don’t draw properly. To use him well, you must balance greedy merging with smart deployment.
Balance Changes and Patch History
The Goblin was introduced with the launch of Merge Tactics on June 30, 2025. He received several key adjustments in the July 31 balance patch, where his Hitpoints were reduced by 7%, but his Damage was increased by 12% and his Attack Speed improved from 0.71 to 0.66 seconds. This reinforced his identity as a fragile but deadly attacker. The September 29 update further increased his value by expanding the Assassin trait, giving bonus effects for 2 and 4 Assassin troops, encouraging more synergy-driven builds.
Goblin is not a standalone powerhouse, but in the right hands, he can tip the Elixir economy and overwhelm opponents through fast, precise play. His strength lies in trait synergy and Elixir generation, rather than raw stats. Whether you’re going for a Goblin Elixir farm, an Assassin backline dive, or simply looking for cheap cycle options, Goblin is a flexible, high-ceiling card with great potential in skilled strategies. Used carelessly, he’s an easy target. Used wisely, he can be a game-changer.