Razortooth Rats MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 78
1999-04-21 - Number 153
2001-04-11 - Number 158★
2001-04-11 - Number 158
2005-07-29 - Number 158★
2005-07-29 - Number 158
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Rat |
| Abilities | Fear |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Razortooth Rats cannot be blocked except by artifact creatures and black creatures.
"Men and rats both hunger: we for our playthings; they, for us." —Crovax
Cards like Razortooth Rats
The Razortooth Rats card holds its own among other fear-inducing creatures in Magic: The Gathering. These evasive vermin share characteristics with cards like Dauthi Slayer, both being low-cost creatures that are difficult for opponents to block due to the fear ability. Dauthi Slayer, although lacking the rat subtype that can be advantageous in certain tribal decks, boasts shadow, an ability that functions similarly to fear but only allows blocking by other shadow creatures.
Another card that comes to mind is Lurking Skirge which, akin to Razortooth Rats, has the ability to bypass most defenders. Lurking Skirge starts as an enchantment and transforms when an opponent controls no creatures, unexpectedly bringing a fear creature into play. They differ, however, in the gameplay strategy they encourage. While Razortooth Rats is a direct, straightforward play, Lurking Skirge requires a more condition-focused approach to unlock its potential.
Ultimately, Razortooth Rats asserts its place as a dependable, offensive creature in MTG. It’s a staple for players keen on implementing an aggressive stance with a touch of evasion, particularly in a deck that benefits from the rat creature type synergy.
Cards similar to Razortooth Rats by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Razortooth Rats may not directly offer card draw, their innate evasion through “Fear” (can’t be blocked except by black creatures and artifact creatures) can steadily chip away at an opponent’s life total, indirectly leading to a type of advantage as you maintain pressure and force your opponent to find answers.
Resource Acceleration: These relentless rodents may not provide mana or acceleration themselves, but their low casting cost allows for an efficient curve out in your deck construction, leaving your resources available for other potent threats or disruption to control the board.
Instant Speed: Razortooth Rats operates at sorcery speed, but its presence aligns well with decks that have a suite of instant-speed interactions. By applying pressure every turn, you can force opponents to act first, leaving you free to respond with your own instants, effectively dictating the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Razortooth Rats is that it does not pose a discard threat to your opponent, narrowing the utility for those seeking to disrupt the other player’s hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Razortooth Rats’ mana cost requires one black mana, making it less flexible for multi-colored decks that might struggle with consistent access to black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana for a 2/1 creature, Razortooth Rats can be less mana-efficient compared to other creatures in the game that could provide a higher power and toughness or additional abilities for the same or a lower cost.
Reasons to Include Razortooth Rats in Your Collection
Versatility: Razortooth Rats fits seamlessly into strategies that benefit from evasive creatures. Its inherent ability to be unblockable by Walls allows it to sneak past many common defensive measures, making it a consistent source of damage.
Combo Potential: As a creature with deathtouch, Razortooth Rats can deter opponents’ attacks and can be used in combinations with cards that force opponents to block, ensuring the removal of key threats on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where stalling tactics and defensive board states are prevalent, including Razortooth Rats can give you an edge by providing reliable damage and simultaneously acting as a potent deterrent.
How to Beat Razortooth Rats
Razortooth Rats holds a niche as a black creature in the vast card pool of Magic: The Gathering, featuring the menace ability that makes it harder to block as it requires two or more creatures. To efficiently counter this card, consider adding creature removal spells or cards with first strike capability in your deck. Single-target removals like Murder or Doom Blade deal with it swiftly, nullifying the menace ability entirely.
Alternatively, using creatures with high toughness can deter the Rats from attacking. Deploying efficient blockers such as Wall of Omens can neutralize the threat they pose, as walls typically have higher defense stats making it difficult for the Rats to get through. Moreover, employing spells that can alter combat dynamics such as Fog can mitigate the impact of their attacks and buy you critical turns.
Remember that Razortooth Rats is a creature card that, while having a unique ability, still falls prey to the common weaknesses inherent to creatures in MTG. Address it with the right cards and strategies, and its threat can be significantly reduced or outright eliminated. Adapt your game plan, and you’ll find conquering the peril the Razortooth Rats bring to the table far less daunting.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Razortooth Rats MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Razortooth 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 Razortooth Rats Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 78 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Horton | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 153 | 1997 | Normal | White | Brian Horton | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 158★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 158 | 1997 | Normal | White | Carl Critchlow | |
| 5 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 158★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 158 | 2003 | Normal | White | Carl Critchlow |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Razortooth Rats has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |