Green Goblin Unleashes Chaos: Magic: The Gathering Reveals New Villains for Spider-Man Set

The highly anticipated collaboration between Wizards of the Coast and Marvel is reaching a fever pitch with the full reveal of the Magic: The Gathering: Marvel’s Spider-Man set. While fans have been eagerly awaiting cards for beloved heroes like Spider-Man and Miles Morales, a recent reveal at PAX West 2025 has put a spotlight on the set’s villains, confirming that the infamous Green Goblin is not only featured but is a major mechanical centerpiece. The new cards, which include multiple versions of the iconic character, as well as his signature weapons and tools, have generated significant excitement and speculation among the MTG community.

The Universes Beyond set, slated for a full release on September 26, 2025, is a Standard-legal expansion that delves deep into the rich history of Spider-Man’s comic book universe. While the set lacks pre-constructed Commander decks, as confirmed by Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks, its focus on Standard-legal cards means these characters will be playable in one of the most popular competitive formats. The Green Goblin’s cards, in particular, are designed to be a potent threat, with abilities that perfectly capture the character’s anarchic and unpredictable nature. The market for MTG single cards and MTG spoilers is currently being driven by the hype surrounding the set, with Green Goblin MTG cards and Norman Osborn MTG being high-value search terms.

Norman Osborn // Green Goblin: A Daring Double-Faced Card

One of the most exciting reveals is a double-faced legendary creature card, showcasing the transformation from Norman Osborn to his villainous alter ego, the Green Goblin. This card, a rare find in the set, is a masterclass in flavor and mechanical design.

• Norman Osborn is a low-cost, one-mana creature that represents the human side of the character. He is a 1/1 Human Scientist Villain with the ability to “connive” when he deals combat damage to a player, allowing you to draw and then discard a card, putting a +1/+1 counter on him if you discard a nonland card. This ability beautifully represents Norman’s cunning and intellect, allowing him to subtly grow in power. The card’s ability to transform is a sorcery-speed activated ability, requiring a specific mana cost, reflecting the deliberate choice Norman makes to don his Goblin persona.
• Green Goblin is the transformed, more powerful side of the card. A 3/3 Goblin Human Villain with flying and menace, he is an immediate aerial threat. His abilities are all about chaos and value. He makes spells you cast from your graveyard cost less, and, more importantly, he gives every nonland card in your graveyard “Mayhem.” This new keyword allows you to cast a card from your graveyard if you discarded it this turn, for a cost equal to its mana cost. The synergy here is undeniable: Norman’s “connive” ability sets up your graveyard with cards that Green Goblin can then cast for free or at a reduced cost, creating a potent and unpredictable engine of destruction. This card will be a cornerstone of many new MTG Standard decks.

Ultimate Green Goblin: The Ruthless, Aggressive Threat

In a separate, but equally impressive, card, players get to see another side of the Green Goblin. This version, titled Ultimate Green Goblin, is a single-faced legendary creature. This card is a more straightforward aggressive threat, embodying the character’s raw power and lack of restraint. As a 5/4 Goblin Villain, he is a powerful creature for a relatively low mana cost. His primary ability triggers at the beginning of your upkeep, forcing you to discard a card but rewarding you with a Treasure token. This ability perfectly encapsulates the Goblin’s self-serving nature—he creates a temporary gain for himself, but at a cost. The card also features the “Mayhem” keyword, allowing you to cast it from your graveyard if you discarded it in the same turn. This makes him a highly resilient and difficult-to-remove threat, constantly menacing your opponents from the battlefield or the graveyard.

New Tools of Destruction: Pumpkin Bombs and More

The set doesn’t stop at just the characters. Wizards of the Coast has also introduced a series of cards representing the Green Goblin’s arsenal. These include artifacts and sorceries like Pumpkin Bombardment and Rocket-Powered Goblin Glider. These cards are designed to work seamlessly with the Goblin’s abilities, providing a suite of tools for players to terrorize their opponents. Pumpkin Bombardment, for instance, is a sorcery that deals damage to any target, and it also features “Mayhem,” ensuring that you can cast it again later in the game. This focus on a cohesive mechanical theme throughout the set is a clear design win and will make building a deck around the Green Goblin a deeply satisfying and rewarding experience. This attention to detail has driven significant value for Marvel’s Spider-Man MTG cards in the collectible market.

The reveal of the Green Goblin’s cards proves that the Magic: The Gathering: Marvel’s Spider-Man set is far more than just a simple crossover. It is a carefully crafted tribute that captures the essence of these iconic characters while introducing innovative and powerful new mechanics to the game. The synergy between the cards, the compelling flavor, and the sheer power of the Green Goblin’s abilities make him a standout villain in the set and a force to be reckoned with in the Standard format. With the release date fast approaching, players are now scrambling to pre-order their booster boxes and singles, hoping to get their hands on these incredibly powerful and sought-after cards.