Carrion Rats MTG Card
2002-02-04 - Number 54
2005-08-22 - Number A41
2005-08-22 - Number A40
2005-08-22 - Number A53
2006-01-01 - Number 53
2006-01-01 - Number 41
2006-01-01 - Number 40
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Rat |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever Carrion Rats attacks or blocks, any player may remove a card in his or her graveyard from the game. If a player does, Carrion Rats deals no combat damage this turn.
"Just what I need—more competition." —Cabal grave robber
Cards like Carrion Rats
Carrion Rats is a niche card within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, aligned with cards that force both players to make sacrifices. It’s a creature card that, upon dealing damage to a player, prompts each player to sacrifice a land. This effect is reminiscent of the tactical pressure applied by cards like Despoil, which orchestrate both land destruction and opponent resource denial.
One can also draw parallels to Plague Rats, which influences the board with increasing power based on the number of similar creatures in play. While Carrion Rats doesn’t gain strength in numbers, it presents a consistent demand for sacrifice. Ravenous Rats pushes a different angle – instead of land, it causes the opponent to discard a card from their hand, affecting another aspect of their resources. It does not require combat damage to trigger this ability, highlighting a more control-focused approach.
Overall, Carrion Rats serves a particular strategy in disrupting land bases and resource control, finding its uniqueness in the requirement of direct combat to activate its ability, thus making it a card worth considering for decks that aim to lock down an opponent’s resources through attrition.
Cards similar to Carrion Rats by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though not a traditional method of gaining cards, Carrion Rats compel both players to discard, which can unexpectedly tip the scales in your favor against opponents who rely on specific cards in hand.
Resource Acceleration: Carrion Rats itself may not directly accelerate resources, but by selectively discarding your own cards, it can synergize with graveyard-utilizing strategies, effectively turning your graveyard into a resource.
Instant Speed: While Carrion Rats operates at sorcery speed, its ability to force discards each time it attacks means you can disrupt your opponent’s plans right before they have the chance to draw for their turn, adjusting the tempo of the game to your advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Carrion Rats demands a player discard a card each time it attacks, potentially depleting one’s hand and strategic resources. This can put the player at a disadvantage, particularly in the late game when maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a single black mana to cast, Carrion Rats fits primarily in mono-black or black-focused decks, which may not suit players who wish to explore diverse color combinations or lack access to consistent black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana, the summoning cost might be considered steep given its 1/1 stats. In an environment where efficiency is key, players might opt for creatures that offer greater impact or additional abilities for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include Carrion Rats in Your Collection
Versatility: Carrion Rats can be a versatile addition to any deck focused on discard strategies or black control decks. Its ability to force each player to discard a card can be repeatedly utilized, especially in a deck designed to recycle its creatures.
Combo Potential: The ability of Carrion Rats synergizes well with effects that benefit from discard or death triggers. Pair this card with effects that punish opponents for discarding or that reanimate creatures to maximize its potential.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where players have finely-tuned decks relying heavily on specific cards, the disruption caused by Carrion Rats can be crucial. Its presence can tilt the scales in matchups where denying an opponent’s key resources is the path to victory.
How to beat
Carrion Rats presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, nudging players towards a strategic approach in managing graveyard resources in MTG. Unlike other creatures that may simply deal damage or offer static effects, Carrion Rats has the potential to disrupt an opponent’s game plan by forcing them to discard cards. This ability can be particularly troublesome in formats where hand size is crucial to executing strategies effectively.
To outmaneuver Carrion Rats, consider incorporating cards that benefit from having a stocked graveyard, such as delve or threshold mechanics, which can turn this nuisance into an advantage. Additionally, leveraging spells or abilities that can exile cards from your graveyard negates the disadvantage you might face from discarding. Cards that grant hexproof to your hand or spells that replenish your hand size are also effective counters to Carrion Rats’ ability. Keep in mind that having a removal spell ready can neutralize the threat immediately, making it essential to include efficient creature removal in your deck construction.
Ultimately, with the right blend of foresight and deck building, you can transform Carrion Rats from an obstacle into an opportunity to strengthen your position and keep your strategies on track.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carrion Rats MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Salvat 2005, 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 Carrion Rats and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Carrion Rats Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2006-01-01. Illustrated by Edward P. Beard, Jr..
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-02-04 | Torment | TOR | 54 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | A41 | 2003 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 3 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | A40 | 2003 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 4 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | A53 | 2003 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 5 | 2006-01-01 | Hachette UK | PHUK | 53 | 2003 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 6 | 2006-01-01 | Hachette UK | PHUK | 41 | 2003 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 7 | 2006-01-01 | Hachette UK | PHUK | 40 | 2003 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carrion Rats has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |