Relentless Rats MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Rat |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Relentless Rats gets +1/+1 for each other creature in play named Relentless Rats. A deck can have any number of cards named Relentless Rats.
Cards like Relentless Rats
Relentless Rats shines as a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to swell in power and toughness for each card with the same name in play. It joins the likes of Rat Colony, which boasts a similar power-boosting feature based on the number of Rats you control. However, Rat Colony doesn’t get the same toughness increase, making it slightly less durable in battle.
Another comparable card is Shadowborn Apostle, which, like Relentless Rats, disregards the usual “four-of” rule in deck construction. While Shadowborn Apostle has an entirely different ability—focusing on summoning powerful demons rather than strengthening its own stats—it embraces the concept of building a deck around many copies of itself.
To sum up, while several cards echo the theme of benefiting from identical copies, Relentless Rats holds its own with its growth in size for each ally on the field, carving out a distinctive niche in swarm strategies within Magic: The Gathering’s diverse card pool.
Cards similar to Relentless Rats by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Relentless Rats offers a unique benefit of not being restricted by the usual ‘four copies per deck’ rule. This means you can stockpile an overwhelming number of these creatures, greatly enhancing your deck’s card advantage as each draw increases the threat exponentially.
Resource Acceleration: Because each Relentless Rat boosts every other, even a single fresh rat drawn is a stronger addition. As your rat army grows, it can outpace the opponents by sheer force, acting as a form of resource acceleration by enhancing the value of each creature.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the sheer number of Relentless Rats you can play allows you to hold back on deployments until the most strategic moment. This tactic can create pressure similar to instant speed plays, as opponents must always consider the potential for multiple rats to appear at any time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Building a deck around Relentless Rats requires a significant number of copies to truly benefit from their ability, which can lead to a less diverse and more predictable strategy. Discarding rats to powerful removal or board wipes can quickly diminish your battlefield presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Each Relentless Rat costs three mana with two black mana symbols, which not only influences the deck’s color balance but also necessitates a solid black mana base to consistently cast multiple rats across the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the realm of creature cards, there are more cost-efficient options. The three-mana investment for a single Relentless Rat may not always be favorable compared to other creatures that provide immediate impact or have lower mana costs for similar effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Relentless Rats thrives in a multitude of deck builds geared toward leveraging creatures. Its unique trait of growing stronger with each copy you own means no two games will play out the same, making it a clever choice for those who appreciate dynamic strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can become a linchpin in formidable combos, especially with mechanics that bring numerous creatures into play or benefit from large quantities on the board. Deck builders can explore various synergies that highlight these rats’ relentless nature.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-heavy decks can dominate, Relentless Rats stands out. Its ability to bypass the usual “four-of” rule in MTG adds an unexpected twist that can catch unprepared opponents off guard, potentially tipping the scales in your favor.
How to beat Relentless Rats
Relentless Rats is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for its characteristic that allows a deck to have any number of copies of it, unlike the standard four-card limit. The power of each rat increases for every other Relentless Rat on the battlefield, creating a formidable army for your opponent. Dealing with this swarm is no small feat, but it is not impossible.
One of the most effective strategies against Relentless Rats is employing board wipes. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear out the rats in one fell swoop, disregarding how many are on the field. Another approach is using cards that limit the number of creatures that can attack or block, such as Ensnaring Bridge, which can halt the rats in their tracks. Spot removals can be less effective here, as targeting rats individually will only make room for more to come.
Lastly, utilizing graveyard disruption can prevent recursion of the rats. Tormod’s Crypt and Leyline of the Void can keep Relentless Rats from making a comeback after a board wipe. With the right strategy and a well-constructed deck, you can tip the scales in your favor and take control of the game against Relentless Rats.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering MTG means recognizing both strengths and weaknesses within your deck. Relentless Rats presents a powerful force when amassed, making it a potential game changer. However, diversifying your strategies to counteract its predictable nature is key. Our insights can guide you through maximizing your Relentless Rats strategy and preparing defenses against it. Embrace the challenge and seize the opportunity to innovate your gameplay. Discover the nuances of building a formidable rat colony and learn tactics to disrupt your opponent’s swarms. Ready for a deeper dive? Join us for comprehensive strategies and ensure your deck’s dominance in every match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Relentless Rats MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Tenth 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 Relentless Rats and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Relentless Rats Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 58 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 173 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
3 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 108 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
4 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 113 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
5 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
6 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 756 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Sija Hong | ||
7 | The List | PLST | 10E-173 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | ||
8 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 329 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Relentless Rats has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Relentless Rats card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2021-03-19 | Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to one Relentless Rats may become lethal if another Relentless Rats leaves the battlefield during that turn. |
2021-03-19 | The last ability of Relentless Rats lets you ignore the “four-of” rule. It doesn’t let you ignore format legality. For example, during a Time Spiral Remastered Limited event, you can’t add Relentless Rats from your personal collection. |