Not My Problem: Using Goad to Control the Commander Table
Goad is one of the most entertaining and chaotic mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. At its core, goad forces creatures to attack players other than the controller of the card that goaded them, turning combat into a political playground and shaking up board states in ways that few other mechanics can. Whether you’re trying to break stalemates, encourage your opponents to fight each other, or simply create hilarious combat scenarios, goad has a place in both casual and fun competitive pods.
The simplest way to understand goad is that it gives your opponent’s creatures a directive: attack someone who isn’t you. That means if you can goad a bunch of creatures, you can steer aggression away from you and toward your opponents, letting their own force work against them. It’s not necessarily about gaining advantage in the traditional sense, but about creating chaos, influencing the table, and directing pressure where you want it.
One of the standout options for budget goad strategies is Jeering Homunculus. You can check it out here: https://mr-card-singles.co.uk/products/jeering-homunculus-cn2-33 This card is perfect for decks that want to avoid big, bulky creatures and provide a blocker for smaller ones, or a simple piece for control mages. It’s a fantastic inclusion in budget builds because it gives you a one-shot goad for your opponents’ biggest creature without demanding high investment. Jeering Homunculus sneaks under the radar in a lot of pods but rewards you by turning your opponents’ aggressors against someone else. See this card as a sorcery, but can be kept to chump block or provide sacrifice or toughness matters synergies afterwards.
If you’re looking for something cheap and versatile that fits into almost any deck that wants goad effects, Bloodthirsty Blade is a great pick: https://mr-card-singles.co.uk/products/bloodthirsty-blade-c21-235 This colourless goad spell can easily slip into decks that weren’t originally built around goad, and the fact that it’s an equipment instead of an aura means you don’t lose it so easily to removal. Equip it where it hurts and watch as opponents are forced to swing at their friends instead of you.
Another card that shines in goad-centric themes and especially in multiplayer is Agitator Ant: https://mr-card-singles.co.uk/products/agitator-ant-mkc-145 Agitator Ant is not only a goad piece but also has political appeal. In group hug or politics-heavy games, you can use it to manipulate combat in ways that benefit you socially and strategically. Plus, it triggers on your end step, meaning you can provide +1/+1 counter synergies immeadietly or if played on turn 2/3 can be played before your opponents have any creatures on board (meaning it can grow itself or other creatures you control instantly), this card isnt game changing or a target but will make everyone else uncomfortable.
Goad works especially well in Commander games where politics and player interaction define the experience. By forcing your opponents to attack one another, you can often avoid being the target of hate and instead guide the table’s aggression in directions that serve your game plan.
Goad is less about card advantage and more about table advantage, something that becomes incredibly valuable in pods where you’re not the biggest threat yet want to stay alive long enough to close the game. In short, goad introduces a layer of strategy that rewards creativity. Cards like Jeering Homunculus help budget players dabble in these tactics, Bloodthirsty Blade gives almost any deck access to cheap goad effects, and Agitator Ant brings both political and tactical utility to the table. If you’re looking to spice up your games and make every combat phase unpredictable, goad might be exactly the mechanic you’ve been missing.