Rat MTG Card
2008-05-02 - Number 3
2013-02-01 - Number 2
2017-08-25 - Number 3
2019-10-04 - Number 6
2020-09-25 - Number 6
2021-07-23 - Number 5
2023-08-04 - Number 17
2023-09-08 - Number 7
2023-09-08 - Number 3
2024-04-19 - Number 8
2024-06-14 - Number 19
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Rat |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Rat
Exploring the world of MTG creatures brings us to the intriguing and often cleverly used Rat cards. Among these, the iconic Rat Colony stands out, offering a unique ability to grow stronger with each Rat you control. This linear power increase strategy echoes the intent of cards like Relentless Rats, which similarly benefit from the quantity of kin present on the battlefield.
Delving further into comparisons, another famous Rat card is Pack Rat. While the Rat Colony relies on numbers, Pack Rat exploits the mechanic of duplicating itself, becoming a growing threat as the game progresses. It’s noteworthy that while Rat Colony limits deck construction, Pack Rat offers more flexibility by its ability to multiply using any card from your hand as fuel.
In essence, while Rat Colony pairs with swarm strategies, cards like Pack Rat present an alternative by enabling diverse tactical approaches. When we gauge the dynamics and potential impact of Rat MTG cards, each possesses distinct advantages that can be tailored to suit various playstyles within the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rat cards in MTG often allow players to rapidly increase the number of creatures on the battlefield, which is tremendously effective for overwhelming opponents and gaining numerical superiority.
Resource Acceleration: Many Rat cards have synergistic abilities that reduce the casting cost of other Rats or generate additional tokens, providing a swift expansion of board presence that can lead to a decisive advantage as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: Some Rat cards, or cards supporting the Rat archetype, can be cast at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility. This allows for surprise blocks or end-of-turn plays that can disrupt an opponent’s strategy and maintain momentum on your side of the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Leveraging a Rat magic card often necessitates discarding another card, potentially depleting your hand. Especially when playing with a strategy that hinges on card advantage, this mechanic becomes a hurdle, forcing players to make difficult decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Many Rat cards demand a precise combination of black mana. This specificity restricts deck diversity, compelling players to design around heavy black mana requirements or risk being unable to summon their creature on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Rat cards can come with a lofty mana cost that doesn’t always align with their impact on the board. When measured against other creatures in the same mana range, Rats can occasionally result in unfavorable cost-to-effectiveness ratios, making them a lesseconomical choice in mana-tight situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rat cards in MTG can be a powerful asset across various deck types. Their ability to rapidly populate the board makes them a tough challenge for opponents to manage, fitting seamlessly into swarm stratagems or tribal themes.
Combo Potential: Many Rat cards have synergies that can turn the tide of the game. These creatures often work together to create potent combinations, whether it’s generating excessive card advantage or overwhelming opponents with unblockable attacks.
Meta-Relevance: Rats can adapt to different metas, especially where strategies focused on creature numbers and synergistic interactions predominate. Their presence in a deck can preempt and counteract various widespread tactics in the current meta.
How to beat
Battling against a deck stacked with Rat cards in MTG is a unique strategic challenge. One effective method to counter these creatures is to use board wipes. Since these decks tend to amass a large quantity of Rats, a timely Sweeper card like Wrath of God can clear the board and reset the tide of battle. Additionally, investing in cards with the ability to pick off multiple creatures at once, such as Pestilence or Pyroclasm, can keep the swarming numbers in check.
Another angle to counteract the Rat assault is through graveyard manipulation. Many Rat decks rely on cards like Rat Colony or Pack Rat that grow stronger with every Rat card in play or in the graveyard. Cards like Relic of Progenitus or Bojuka Bog can disrupt this strategy by removing key creatures from the graveyard, weakening the power of those on the battlefield. Using targeted removal or counterspells is less effective due to the redundancy of Rat cards; they often operate on the principle that you can’t pick off every Rat in the horde.
Careful planning and the right choice of countermeasures can significantly diminish the effectiveness of Rat MTG cards. Addressing the quantity with board control or targeting their synergistic reliance on the graveyard can spell victory over the relentless Rat decks that players may encounter.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rat MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Gatecrash, 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 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 Rat Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 6 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 3 | 2003 | Token | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 2 | 2003 | Token | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 3 | 2015 | Token | Black | Shreya Shetty | |
| 4 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 6 | 2015 | Token | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 5 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Commander | ZNC | 6 | 2015 | Token | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 6 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 5 | 2015 | Token | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 7 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 17 | 2015 | Token | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 8 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 7 | 2015 | Token | Black | Kim Sokol | |
| 9 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Japanese Promo Tokens | WWOE | 3 | 2015 | Token | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 10 | 2024-04-19 | Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander | OTC | 8 | 2015 | Token | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 11 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 | MH3 | 19 | 2015 | Token | Black | Carlos Palma Cruchaga |