Bog Rats MTG Card

The Dark (DRK)
1994-08-01 - Number 42

Chronicles (CHR)
1995-07-01 - Number 30

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 146

Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
1999-04-21 - Number 117

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Rat
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Bog Rats’ unblockable trait applies pressure, enabling player rewards for consistent damage output.
Low-cost and efficient in sacrifice strategies, Bog Rats acts as a catalyst for resource acceleration.
Although with some limitations in play, Bog Rats rounds out instant-speed tactics with a steady board presence.

Text of card

Cannot be blocked by walls.

Their stench was vile and strong enough, but not nearly as powerful as their hunger.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Bog Rats themselves might not draw cards, their unblockable nature ensures uninterrupted damage, pressuring opponents and synergizing well with cards that reward player for successful hits, effectively serving as a conduit for card draw or other beneficial effects.

Resource Acceleration: Bog Rats can be an integral part of a deck built around sacrifice mechanics. As a low-cost creature, they can be sacrificed for various benefits such as mana generation or fueling graveyard-based strategies, providing an indirect but valuable form of resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Although Bog Rats doesn’t play at instant speed, they complement an instant-speed strategy by offering a consistent board presence. This allows the flexibility to hold back mana for instant speed interaction while still maintaining a threat on the board.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Bog Rats card may require players to discard another card to achieve its full potential, presenting a difficult choice when hand size is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Bog Rats necessitates black mana to cast, potentially restricting its inclusion in decks that cannot consistently provide that mana type.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For what Bog Rats offers on the battlefield, its mana cost may be seen as steep when compared to other creatures with similar or more powerful abilities.

Reasons to Include Bog Rats in Your Collection

Versatility: Bog Rats boasts the ability to be unblockable except by other Rats, making it a solid addition to any deck that aims to chip away at an opponent’s life total unimpeded. This can be especially useful in pauper formats or other environments where low-cost cards can shine.

Combo Potential: As part of a tribal Rat deck, Bog Rats can work in tandem with cards that boost Rat creatures or benefit from having multiple creatures of the same type on the battlefield. It’s a perfect fit for synergistic strategies that require a multitude of attackers.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where ground stalls are common, Bog Rats can become a valuable asset. It’s a creature that demands an answer despite its modest stats, as the inability to block it without other Rats can frustrate decks lacking in air defense or wide-reaching removals.

How to beat Bog Rats

Bog Rats may not draw the same attention as some more flamboyant creatures in Magic: The Gathering, but they come with an interesting caveat – they can’t be blocked except by walls. Players might underestimate this seemingly innocuous trait, but it allows these critters to consistently chip away at an opponent’s health.

Considering their vulnerabilities can help strategize against them. They present no real threat when faced with an array of creatures capable of mounting a strong defense. Structuring a deck with a variety of ‘reach’ or ‘flying’ creatures could make Bog Rats irrelevant since they can only be blocked by walls, which are not commonly found in aggressive decks.

Moreover, utilizing any creature removal spells can efficiently clear them from the board. Simple spells like Shock or Fatal Push can get rid of Bog Rats without much expense or effort. If the game progresses and your opponent accrues multiple Bog Rats, a well-timed board sweep, such as Wrath of God, will reset the playing field to your advantage. So while they might pose a sneaky threat in certain scenarios, a defensive stance and smart spell usage will ensure these pesky rodents don’t overrun your game.

Cards like Bog Rats

Bog Rats, a creature card from the world of Magic: The Gathering, shares attributes with a handful of other cards featuring the fear mechanic, allowing it to be unblockable except by black creatures or artifact creatures. A direct comparison can be made to cards such as Fear and Dauthi Slayer. Both serve the same unblockable purpose, but differ in key areas. Fear, an enchantment, gives any creature the same edge as Bog Rats, yet requires an additional card slot and mana investment.

Meanwhile, Dauthi Slayer presents not only the unblockable trait but also acts independently since it automatically attacks each turn if able. Unlike Bog Rats, which offers more flexibility for the player to choose attack timing. On another note, Typhoid Rats introduces deathtouch to the table, rendering every block lethal, which is a different kind of evasion through this intimidation tactic compared to the fear mechanic of Bog Rats.

Assessing their features, Bog Rats holds its spot firmly among these similar cards for its simplicity and inherently evasive property, making it a viable choice for decks aiming to bypass creature defenses without excess conditions or mana costs.

Cards similar to Bog Rats by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions

Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bog Rats MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Chronicles, 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 Bog Rats and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bog Rats Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-08-01	The Dark	DRK	42	1993	Normal	Black	Ron Spencer
2	1995-07-01	Chronicles	CHR	30	1993	Normal	White	Ron Spencer
3	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	146	1997	Normal	White	Ron Spencer
4	1999-04-21	Classic Sixth Edition	6ED	117	1997	Normal	White	Ron Spencer