Rat Out MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2023-09-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Wilds of Eldraine |
| Set code | WOE |
| Number | 103 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Michele Giorgi |
Text of card
Up to one target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. You create a 1/1 black Rat creature token with "This creature can't block."
"Hold this for me." —Totentanz, swarm piper
Cards like Rat Out
Rat Out presents a unique space among creature removal options in Magic: The Gathering. This card stands side by side with the likes of Go for the Throat, which efficiently disposes of nonartifact creatures. Rat Out doesn’t limit its target pool this way, but instead adds a strategic layer with its Rat offering creation, potentially upsetting your opponent’s board while bolstering your own.
In a comparable capacity, Doom Blade also presents itself as an adept tool for managing opponent threats. Slightly more restricted, it cannot target black creatures, an attribute Rat Out doesn’t share, thereby offering broader removal options. Yet neither produce creatures as Rat Out does. Cast Down is another card checking similar boxes; it’s versatile and eliminates most creatures, except legendary ones, without gifting the caster any additional board presence as Rat Out does. This feature allows Rat Out not just to eliminate a threat, but also to potentially create one.
Ultimately, when considering removal spells with added utility, Rat Out finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering. It delivers more than just pinpoint removal; it can tactically shift the game by replacing a foe’s threat with an asset of your own.
Cards similar to Rat Out by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rat Out offers a unique twist by potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy while you bolster your own hand. This card lets you peek at your opponent’s hand, giving you crucial information and the chance to select a nonland card to be discarded. This act not only diminishes their resources but also potentially enhances your own gameplay strategy as you gain a more clear perspective of what they’re holding.
Resource Acceleration: In addition to its disruptive capabilities, Rat Out facilitates resource acceleration by introducing rat tokens onto the battlefield. Each token can be utilized for various strategies, including ramping up your defenses or preparing for a more aggressive stance. These tokens can become an invaluable asset as they contribute to your board presence and open up new avenues for tactical plays.
Instant Speed: The fact that Rat Out operates at instant speed means you have the flexibility to cast it at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action, maintaining a reactive position. This feature allows for strategic depth as you can decide the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent’s hand while keeping your mana available for other instant speed interactions throughout the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rat Out is particularly demanding as it compels players to discard a card to unleash its full potential. This stipulation can be particularly burdensome during gameplay when your hand is already dwindling and each card is precious.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding an exacting combination of black mana, Rat Out may not be a perfect fit for every deck, especially those that run multiple colors or have a strict mana base. This can sometimes leave players struggling to cast it at a crucial moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Equipped with a relatively steep mana cost for its effects, Rat Out might not always provide the efficiency seasoned players seek. In a game where tempo is key, there may be other options that players could turn to for more immediate or impactful results without such a sizable mana investment.
Reasons to Include Rat Out in Your Collection
Versatility: Rat Out is a card that opens up dynamic strategies in decks focused on creature types, particularly those with rat creatures, enabling users to exploit swarming tactics efficiently.
Combo Potential: This card works well with abilities that trigger upon creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, effectively boosting your board presence or unleashing powerful effects tied to creature count.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponents’ hand while populating the board, Rat Out could play a significant role in shifts where hand disruption and creature-based strategies take center stage.
How to beat
Rat Out is one of those unique Magic: The Gathering cards that can catch players off guard, particularly if they’re not prepared for its mechanics. The key to outmaneuvering Rat Out lies in understanding its strengths and turning them to your advantage. Rat Out relies on its ability to force the opponent to discard cards, but one can mitigate this by utilizing a deck that thrives on having a full graveyard, making any discarded card a resource rather than a loss.
Another strategy involves maintaining a hand with versatile cards that can be played quickly in response to an opponent’s Rat Out, thus minimizing the card’s impact. Instant-speed spells and cards with Flash allow players to react during the opponent’s turn, keeping their own hand lean to lessen the drawback of a forced discard. Additionally, incorporating cards that benefit from discard strategies, such as those with Madness or cards that trigger effects when discarded, can transform Rat Out from a threat to an unwitting ally.
Ultimately, outplaying Rat Out demands a blend of foresight, deck composition, and smart gameplay. Commanding a deck that capitalizes on or is resilient to discards ensures that the potency of Rat Out is significantly restrained, allowing the savvy Magic: The Gathering player to stay one step ahead.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rat Out MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Out 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rat Out has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rat Out card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | You can cast Rat Out without a target just to create a Rat token. However, if you do choose a target, and that target is illegal at the time Rat Out tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't create a Rat token. |