Rat Colony MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Rat
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Rat Colony decks thrive on sheer numbers, allowing for an aggressive strategy with a relentless stream of creatures.
  2. With Rat Colony’s unique ability, deck-building revolves around maximizing the number of rats to overwhelm opponents.
  3. This archetype shines in singleton formats where it circumvents the usual one-card limit, scaling in power with each copy played.

Text of card

Rat Colony gets +1/+0 for each other Rat you control. A deck can have any number of cards named Rat Colony.

Wreckage from the Phyrexian Invasion provided the rats with a seemingly unlimited number of breeding grounds.



Pros of Rat Colony

Card Advantage: Rat Colony’s unique ability to include any number of cards in a deck allows players to constantly keep their hands filled. More rats equate to continuous threats and an advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Rat Colony is a low-cost creature card requiring only two mana, one black, and one colorless, providing a creamy pathway to swift, rat-infested gameplay. This acceleration leads to a lethal overrun on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Not part of Rat Colony teams directly; however, pairing it with black instant spells can give a speed bump. Spells like ‘Dark Ritual’ could fuel a sudden rat explosion, catching opponents off guard.


Cons of Playing Rat Colony

Discard Requirement: There’s no explicit discard requirement for Rat Colony. However, should your deck over-rely on this creature card, you may find yourself having to discard essential cards to ensure that Rat Colony comes into play. This could deplete your hand faster than desirable.

Specific Mana Cost: Rat Colony requires a single black mana to cast, linking its utility to decks that either focus on black mana or can consistently produce it. The single-color block on its casting cost can limit its effective usability in multicolor decks, especially in matches where consistent black mana generation can’t be guaranteed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana – one generic and one black – may seem low, it’s rather high considering the 2/1 power and toughness of each Rat Colony that enters the battlefield. The cost-benefit analysis might prove disappointing when stacked against more powerful creatures that can be cast for the same amount of mana.


Reasons to Include Rat Colony in Your Collection

Versatility: Rat Colony is a unique addition that can amplify various strategies. Its dynamic nature allows it to fit into most decks, where it can be multiplied to outnumber opponents, making it a fearsome force.

Combo Potential: The true potential of Rat Colony arises when used in conjunction with cards that encourage multiplication or boost creatures. It offers a synergy that can transform your deck into a relentless rodent army, showcasing the amping power of this card.

Meta-Relevance: Should the current meta-game adopt a defense-focused gameplay, Rat Colony offers an effective solution. The Swarm tactics of this card can overrun most defenses, proving its worth in serious competitive gameplay.


Similar Cards

The Rat Colony card in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) directly competes with cards like Relentless Rats and Pack Rat. Relentless Rats shares a tribal synergy with Rat Colony but has a different playing style. While Rat Colony puts the emphasis on quantity with its ability to have any number in your deck, Relentless Rats focuses on mutual advantage as all your rats get stronger the more you have on the battleground.

Pack Rat, on the other hand, is akin to Rat Colony in terms of spawning multiple rat tokens, but its exploit lies on its dynamic power and toughness. Each Pack Rat you control shares its strength, and this crowd effect can be quite formidable. Unlike Rat Colony, Pack Rat’s strength isn’t inherently dependent on rat presence but on simple multiplication and strategic game-play.

By weighing the strengths and attributes of Rat Colony against its counterparts, it becomes apparent that Rat Colony’s power lies in its unique swarm-like abilities, offering a different tactical approach within MTG’s diverse rat-themed deck options.


How to beat Rat Colony

Overcoming the Rat Colony in MTG can be a daunting task due to its strong synergy and ability to overwhelm opponents with superior numbers. One effective strategy involves deploying cards with extensive damage abilities such as Pyroclasm. The card can wipe out a whole colony of rats by inflicting two damage points to each creature in play.

You also might consider utilizing cards which force opponents to sacrifice creatures. Chainer’s Edict, for example, could put a massive dent in the opponents’ Rat Colony. Similarly, Cry of the Carnarium can be an efficient tool as it has the potential of eliminating an entire Rat Colony given its ability to impose -2/-2 to all creatures.

Remember, the strength of the Rat Colony lies in overwhelming numbers. Trying to match this strategy could be to the opponent’s advantage. Instead, focus on value plays and utilize board wipes and removal tactics. Never underestimate the power of a well-timed kill spell. In conclusion, with the right combination of mass-removal spells and tactical plays, the menacing Rat Colony can be kept under control.


BurnMana Recommendations

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Cards like Rat Colony

The Rat Colony card in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) directly competes with cards like Relentless Rats and Pack Rat. Relentless Rats shares a tribal synergy with Rat Colony but has a different playing style. While Rat Colony puts the emphasis on quantity with its ability to have any number in your deck, Relentless Rats focuses on mutual advantage as all your rats get stronger the more you have on the battleground.

Pack Rat, on the other hand, is akin to Rat Colony in terms of spawning multiple rat tokens, but its exploit lies on its dynamic power and toughness. Each Pack Rat you control shares its strength, and this crowd effect can be quite formidable. Unlike Rat Colony, Pack Rat’s strength isn’t inherently dependent on rat presence but on simple multiplication and strategic game-play.

By weighing the strengths and attributes of Rat Colony against its counterparts, it becomes apparent that Rat Colony’s power lies in its unique swarm-like abilities, offering a different tactical approach within MTG’s diverse rat-themed deck options.

Relentless Rats - MTG Card versions
Pack Rat - MTG Card versions
Relentless Rats - MTG Card versions
Pack Rat - MTG Card versions

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

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - 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
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - 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

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rat Colony MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Rat Colony and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rat Colony Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27DominariaDOM 1012015NormalBlackSuzanne Helmigh
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 362015NormalBlackKisung Koh
32020-09-26The ListPLST DOM-1012015NormalBlackSuzanne Helmigh

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rat Colony has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rat Colony card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-04-27 Rat Colony’s last ability lets you ignore only the “four-of” rule. It doesn’t let you ignore format legality.

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