Relentless Rats MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Rat
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Capable of forming a sizable army, Relentless Rats defies the standard deck limitation to escalate threats.
  2. Each rat amplifies the others, creating a cumulative effect that can quickly overwhelm opponents.
  3. They offer strategic versatility for players, demanding unique approaches to both playing and countering them.

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.


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.


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.

Rat Colony - MTG Card versions
Shadowborn Apostle - MTG Card versions
Rat Colony - Dominaria (DOM)
Shadowborn Apostle - Magic 2014 (M14)

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

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Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Severed Legion - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Vesper Ghoul - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hypnotic Specter - Magic Player Rewards 2006 (P06)
Dusk Imp - Tenth Edition (10E)
Severed Legion - Tenth Edition (10E)

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:

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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.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-06-04Fifth Dawn5DN 582003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1732003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
32009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1082003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
42010-07-16Magic 2011M11 1132003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
52018-03-16Masters 25A25 1052015normalblackJohann Bodin
62019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 7562015normalborderlessSija Hong
72020-09-26The ListPLST 10E-1732003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
82021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3291997normalblackThomas M. Baxa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Relentless Rats has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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.

DateText
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.

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