Patron of the Nezumi MTG Card
2005-02-04 - Number 77
2005-08-22 - Number A25
2006-01-01 - Number 25
2011-06-17 - Number 93
2018-06-08 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Offering |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Rat offering (You may play this card any time you could play an instant by sacrificing a Rat and paying the difference in mana costs between this and the sacrificed Rat. Mana cost includes color.) Whenever a permanent is put into an opponent's graveyard, that player loses 1 life.
Cards like Patron of the Nezumi
Patron of the Nezumi follows a unique theme as a creature card in Magic: The Gathering, nestling into the realm of rat heralds. With abilities echoing that of cards like Blood Artist, it turns the tide of the match by utilizing the death of cards. While Blood Artist benefits each time a creature dies, Patron of the Nezumi extends this ability to when any permanent is put into an opponent’s graveyard, not just creatures, and it damages the opponent as well.
Cards like Revel in Riches provide a similar strategy, granting players treasure tokens whenever an opponent’s creature dies, which could potentially translate to a win condition by amassing a critical number of tokens. What sets Patron of the Nezumi apart, however, is its retaliatory damage across any type of permanent, which offers a broader reach. Then there’s Falkenrath Noble, which, akin to Patron of the Nezumi, deals damage to opponents upon creature deaths. Nevertheless, Patron’s diversified trigger conditions grant it a unique edge in the leisurely dance of MTG deck strategies.
Assessing its place alongside these other cards, Patron of the Nezumi secures a formidable spot within creature-centric decks that capitalize upon and thrive from the demise of not just creatures but any card type, distinguishing it within MTG as a versatile and fear-inspiring ally.
Cards similar to Patron of the Nezumi by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Patron of the Nezumi excels in creating card advantage by potentially creating multiple Rat tokens. This can quickly overwhelm opponents or bolster your board presence, offering sustained value throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: This card compliments strategies seeking to capitalize on death triggers. Each time an opponent’s card heads for the graveyard, you have the potential to chip away at their life total, indirectly accelerating your own route to victory.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Patron of the Nezumi has a rattling synergy with instant speed removal and discard spells. By reacting swiftly during an opponent’s turn, you maximize the life-draining effect on your opponent, turning each instant into a double-edged sword.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Patron of the Nezumi compels you to have a Rat creature on the battlefield or a card to discard in your hand to cast it with its cheaper mana cost. If players can’t meet this condition, they miss out on an opportunity to utilize the Patron for less mana, making it a challenging addition when resources are tight.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one black and six other mana, Patron of the Nezumi demands a heavy investment in the late game, potentially delaying its play. Decks that are not primarily black may struggle to accommodate this specific mana cost, limiting the card’s versatility across different strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Patron of the Nezumi provides a unique effect of punishing opponents for sacrificing permanents or putting them into the graveyard, its high cost of seven mana might be too steep when alternatives could present more immediate board impact for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Patron of the Nezumi is a card that finds a home in various deck builds, particularly those that capitalize on rat tribal themes or strategies revolving around opponents’ card disposal. Its ability to inflict damage whenever an opponent’s card is put into a graveyard makes it a flexible choice for multiple playing styles.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in combos that deal incremental damage. By integrating it with effects that force opponents to discard or sacrificing creatures, you can consistently whittle down the opponents’ life totals. It’s also a prime candidate for reanimation tactics, ensuring its ability affects the board in more than one lifespan.
Meta-Relevance: Given the rise in decks that utilize the graveyard, Patron of the Nezumi’s relevance grows. It can deter strategies based on self-mill, reanimation, or any mechanic that sends cards to the graveyard, making it a meta-contender in certain game environments.
How to Beat Patron of the Nezumi
Patron of the Nezumi is a unique card that can be a linchpin in decks built around creature control and utilizing death triggers for advantage. When facing this card, it’s critical to manage the timing of creature removal. Since Patron of the Nezumi capitalizes on creatures dying, avoid mass removal spells that could end up dealing significant damage to your life total. Instead, prioritize single-target removal or exile effects to deal with this creature safely.
Another strategy is to use enchantment-based removals like Pacifism or Oblivion Ring, which neutralize the Patron without triggering its damaging ability. Dealing with it is not only about removing it from the battlefield but also about minimizing the impact of its ability while it’s in play. Avoiding sacrificing your creatures or choosing the right moment to do so, can keep the Patron’s influence in check. It’s also helpful to have life gain strategies in place to offset the inevitable life loss from the Patron’s triggered ability. With careful play, Patron of the Nezumi can be overcome, allowing you to control the flow of the game.
Intelligent decision-making and precise card choices are key to outmaneuvering the Patron and securing victory. The right blend of strategy and tactics can nullify the Patron of the Nezumi’s effectiveness and turn the tide of the match in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Patron of the Nezumi MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa 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 Patron of the Nezumi and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Patron of the Nezumi Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-02-04 | Betrayers of Kamigawa | BOK | 77 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | A25 | 2003 | Normal | White | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2006-01-01 | Hachette UK | PHUK | 25 | 2003 | Normal | White | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 93 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Patron of the Nezumi has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Patron of the Nezumi card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-02-01 | Patron of the Nezumi’s ability triggers even if an event puts this and multiple other permanents into the graveyard at the same time (Wrath of God, gang blocks, etc.) |