Burglar Rat MTG Card


Burglar Rat provides card advantage by making each opponent discard upon entry. Its disruption of hand resources can subtly accelerate your strategic position. Strategically synergizes with instant speed spells for repeated effects.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Rat
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Burglar Rat enters the battlefield, each opponent discards a card.

"Even rats hoard their treasures. Are your precious things so different?" —Izoni


Cards like Burglar Rat

Burglar Rat holds a unique role within Magic: The Gathering, serving as both a creature and a tool for disrupting opponents. Its direct comparison lies with cards such as Ravenous Rats, which shares the same ability to force an opponent to discard a card upon entering the battlefield. Nonetheless, Burglar Rat’s advantage is its alignment with the more recent sets and relevance in standard formats.

Another similar contender is Chittering Rats, which not only prompts a discard but also semi-locks the opponent’s next draw, making it a more disruptive option. However, Chittering Rats enters at a higher mana cost. Meanwhile, Rotting Rats offers a symmetrical discard effect, impacting all players and enabling strategies centered around graveyard play or hand disruption. Lastly, we have Liliana’s Specter offering a comparable effect but in the air, providing slightly more reach on the battlefield at the cost of one additional mana.

All things considered, while many cards can mimic the effect of making an opponent discard, Burglar Rat’s low mana cost and creature type open up various synergistic possibilities, making it an interesting option for decks that aim to gain an upper hand through resource denial.

Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Chittering Rats - MTG Card versions
Rotting Rats - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Specter - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Chittering Rats - MTG Card versions
Rotting Rats - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Specter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Burglar Rat by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Stromgald Crusader - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Stromgald Crusader - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Burglar Rat. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black DiscardMono-Black Discard PioneerMono-Black DiscardPioneer League 2023-11-02

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Burglar Rat enters the battlefield, each opponent discards a card, providing a potential swing in card advantage, especially effective in multiplayer games.

Resource Acceleration: Burglar Rat’s value comes from its ability to disrupt opponents’ hand resources, indirectly accelerating your position by slowing others down rather than providing direct mana ramp.

Instant Speed: Whilst not an instant itself, Burglar Rat synergizes well with instant speed spells and effects that can return it to your hand or the battlefield, repeatedly triggering its enter-the-battlefield effect.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Upon the arrival of Burglar Rat to the battlefield, each opponent must discard a card, setting a reliance on the ability to impact only hands, not the board itself. This may be insignificant if adversaries have no valuable cards in hand or if they can benefit from their own graveyard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Designed to slot into black mana-centric decks, Burglar Rat demands both generic and black mana, which may not always seamlessly meld with multicolored or colorless strategies. Its requirement restricts the card’s overall flexibility across diverse deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing merely two mana may appear inexpensive, the ability to compel a singular discard might not equate to a significant tempo advantage, particularly in late game scenarios where players have amassed ample resources. In many instances, players might prefer cards that affect the board state directly or offer more substantial disruption for a comparable cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Burglar Rat presents a flexible addition to any deck looking to disrupt opponent’s hands. Its low mana cost makes it easily deployable early in the game, fitting into various strategies from control to aggro builds.

Combo Potential: This creature works exceptionally well with discard mechanics, enabling combos with cards like Liliana’s Caress or Waste Not, turning a simple play into a multifaceted threat.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay filled with numerous high-value cards, Burglar Rat can be a game-changer by forcing opponents to discard, thereby weakening their position. Its role is magnified in metas where card advantage can determine the outcome of a match.


How to beat

Burglar Rat is a nifty creature card that brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Upon entering the fray, it forces each opponent to discard a card, a subtle but effective way to disrupt the opponent’s hand and game plan. While this black card can be a nuisance, beating it comes down to smart hand management and timing.

To maintain the upper hand against Burglar Rat, it’s crucial to play out your less valuable cards early, retaining key spells in your hand that can trump the rat’s discard effect. Additionally, cards with flash can be cast in response to the rat, allowing you to preserve important cards while still developing your board. Also consider including instant-speed removal in your deck to eliminate the rat before its ability triggers, if it’s set up that way.

Ultimately, while Burglar Rat can be irksome, its low stats make it vulnerable, and its ability can be planned for. With strategic play and prudent card choice, you can minimize the impact of this pesky rodent and maintain control over your MTG game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The subtleties of MTG gameplay are often found in the nuanced effects of cards like Burglar Rat. This card serves as both a tactical creature and an opponent’s hand disruptor, uniquely contributing to the dynamics of the game. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your control deck with persistent hand disruption or seeking to exploit discard synergies for powerful combos, Burglar Rat can be a valuable pick for your collection. Stay ahead of the meta by incorporating cards that offer more than just face value. Dive deeper into strategy, hone your deck-building skills, and outmaneuver opponents by leveraging Burglar Rat’s potential. Join us to enrich your MTG experience and master the art of disruption.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Burglar Rat MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Jumpstart, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Burglar Rat and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Burglar Rat Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Tyler Walpole.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 642015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 2142015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3842015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 692015NormalBlackTyler Walpole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Burglar Rat has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal