Negotiation is for those who don't attack enough. At least that's what Goblin Diplomats think.

Today is the sixth (and final?) edition of our EDH Player Psychographic series. We've covered Herm/Hermettes, Turtles, Mackenzies, Barktooths, and Puppet Masters. To round things out, we'll take a look at perhaps the most extreme psychographic there is: the Goblin Diplomat, or GD for short.

What is a Goblin Diplomat?

This:

I chose this card as the namesake of the psychographic because its rules text perfectly embodies the ethos of this type of player (plus, the art and flavor are all-time great). Goblin Diplomats are those players who eschew politics and negotiation in favor of raw aggression. Games with GDs are often chaotic, action-packed, and fast. So much for that eight drop you wanted to cast.

Now some might say that politics are an essential ingredient for winning. They might tell you that aggro decks aren't good in EDH, and that decks that win by attacking aren't that good. Those are the players you're most likely to attack first.

Finding GDs on EDHREC

As always, the EDHREC themes tab is an excellent place to find players of this psychographic. The place I'm starting is the Extra Combat theme.

Though we're not seeing huge numbers with any specific commander, the total gives us a good idea of the number of GDs on EDHREC. After all, if you're playing any of the decks that fit this theme, you are most certainly a Goblin Diplomat. As of the writing of this article, that's 484 GDs.

But that's not all. What about the Group Slug theme?

As you can see, this grouping is a bit different, yet it still aligns with the spirit of GDs. Mogis, God of Slaughter, Heartless Hidetsugu, and Zo-Zu the Punisher all suggest less of an "I attack you" theme in favor of burn. However, I'd say that still aligns with the values of most GDs. Attacking causes damage, burn causes damage. Either way, that's how GDs conclude negotiations.

Finding Goblin Diplomats by Commander

If you play commanders with the approximate text, "When X attacks, do Y," then you're probably a GD. (Hope you brought your loincloth.) Here are a few classics:

• Kaalia of the Vast - 2388 decks
• Narset, Enlightened Master - 2049 decks
• Saskia the Unyielding - 1811 decks
• Xenagos, God of Revels - 1390 decks
• Zurgo Helmsmasher - 1387 decks

As you can see, these commanders are pretty darn popular. If you're playing any of them, you very well may be a GD.

Now, in terms of gameplay, what's it like to be a GD, and what's it like to play against them? Let's take a look.

GD Gameplay

It's pretty simple. If you're a Goblin Diplomat, things are fun. If you're playing against a Goblin Diplomat, things are stressful.

That said, I actually kind of enjoy playing with GDs. I myself am a Herm with a smidge of Barktooth, so sometimes I end up playing durdley decks that take a long time to get going. When everyone at the table's doing that, games can feel pretty stale. GDs inject a sense of urgency into the table. They're sort of analogous to the mono-red deck in Cube; you can play nonsense, but not too much nonsense.

GDs tend to go after players without blockers or those they view as the biggest threats at the table. Though they aren't political, GDs usually offer rational explanations for their attacks when asked. For example, your opponent casts their shiny new Tajic, Legion's Edge and immediately attacks you. You ask the classic question, "Why me?" The GD will probably say something like, "Well, you're the only player with a Sol Ring, so I thought it was only fair." There you go.

If there's a GD in your playgroup, I recommend paying close attention to both their board and your own. Yes, opposing GDs can be life-threatening if you don't come prepared. But if you do, they can actually become assets. If you know you're playing a GD, prioritize casting a blocker over that mana rock. It could divert an attack to one of your opponents. Gotta like that!

Winning as a GD

GDs usually win games of EDH through extra combat steps. This makes sense, considering there are extra players at the table. A single combat step just isn't going to do it. You might also see GDs winning with traditional Voltron strategies. And then there are also infect decks. Basically, GDs win with big attacks. That's the name of the game!

Below is a classic GD decklist:

 Diplomacy of the Attack Step

View on Archidekt

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Commander (1) Xenagos, God of Revels Creatures (33) Acidic Slime Atarka, World Render Balefire Dragon Bane of Progress Deus of Calamity Dragonlord Atarka Elvish Mystic Etali, Primal Storm Eternal Witness Ghalta, Primal Hunger Giant Adephage Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma Grunn, the Lonely King Hellkite Charger Hellkite Tyrant Hydra Omnivore Llanowar Elves Malignus Nylea, God of the Hunt Pathbreaker Ibex Ruric Thar, the Unbowed Sakura-Tribe Elder Savage Ventmaw Scourge of the Throne Selvala, Heart of the Wilds Siege Behemoth Somberwald Sage Soul of the Harvest Spellbreaker Behemoth Stonehoof Chieftain Terastodon Thunderfoot Baloth Wood Elves Instants (5) Beast Within Hunter's Insight Krosan Grip Savage Beating Worldly Tutor Sorceries (11) Chandra's Ignition Cultivate Decimate Explosive Vegetation Green Sun's Zenith Harmonize Hull Breach Kodama's Reach Rampant Growth Rishkar's Expertise Traverse the Outlands Artifacts (6) Gruul Signet Lifecrafter's Bestiary Mage Slayer Quicksilver Amulet Sol Ring Strionic Resonator Enhancements (6) Aggravated Assault Asceticism Blood Mist Colossal Majesty Greater Good Sylvan Library Planeswalkers (2) Domri Rade Xenagos, the Reveler Land (36) Cinder Glade Command Tower Game Trail Gruul Turf Kessig Wolf Run Mosswort Bridge Rootbound Crag Sheltered Thicket Skarrg, the Rage Pits Spire Garden Stomping Ground Temple of Abandon Temple of the False God Wooded Foothills 7 Mountain 15 Forest

You Might Be a Goblin Diplomat If…

1. New Boros commanders make you happy instead of sad.
2. You prefer your creatures tapped (unless they have vigilance).
3. When you sit down at the table, you ask yourself, "Who should I attack first?"
4. You dig 7-power commanders because they only take three attacks to kill an opponent.
5. You beat up on Turtles as a matter of general principle. You can't abide their life choices.
6. You suggest possible attacks to your opponents during their turns. "The Niv-Mizzet player doesn't have any blockers. Maybe you should attack them."
7. You've never played a card without the word "attack" on it.

Are you a Goblin Diplomat? If so, attack that comment box below!