Rattlechains MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Rattlechains ensures Spirits play at flash speed, enhancing reaction capabilities and strategic depth.
  2. Its low cost and quick deployment enables faster gameplay, making it a staple in Spirit decks.
  3. Though restricted to blue mana, Rattlechains’ versatility justifies its place in relevant MTG decks.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

Flash Flying When Rattlechains enters the battlefield, target Spirit gains hexproof until end of turn. You may cast Spirit spells as though they had flash.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Rattlechains card offers a ghostly plus when it enters the battlefield by allowing you to give another Spirit flash and hexproof until end of turn. This adds a layer of protection and surprise to your play, keeping your hand resourceful.

Resource Acceleration: Rattlechains is a two-cost creature, coming in at both affordable and efficient. It paves the way for a quick setup, giving your Spirits deck more speed in deploying threats and defenses.

Instant Speed: This spectral sentinel doesn’t just haunt your main phases; as a card with flash, Rattlechains can be summoned at lightning speed. This trait is pivotal for disrupting opponents’ strategies and gaining the upper hand during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not a direct aspect of Rattlechains, the card might force you into situations where you have to discard to maintain card advantage or defend against threats, which can deplete your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes blue, Rattlechains requires a specific mana base, potentially limiting its inclusion to only blue-oriented or Spirit-tribal decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Positioned at two mana for a 2/1 body, Rattlechains may seem affordable, but in a fast-paced game, there could be more impactful plays at this cost, especially in non-Spirit focused decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rattlechains offers flexible gameplay as it’s a creature that can be flashed into play at any time. This makes it a good fit for decks that aim to keep mana open for responses or want to surprise their opponents with sudden plays.

Combo Potential: With its ability to give other Spirit creatures you control flash, Rattlechains can synergize with various spirit-related combos, adding an element of speed and unpredictability to your strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where Spirits are a viable archetype or against decks that rely heavily on timing, Rattlechains’ unique functionalities can give you a significant edge. Its role in empowering and protecting your spirits cannot be undervalued, especially when tempo plays are crucial.


How to beat

Rattlechains is a versatile creature card in the world of MTG, known for its ability to give Spirit creatures you control flash, as well as other strategic advantages. When facing Rattlechains, one effective approach is to limit the opponent’s opportunities to use the flash ability. Spot removal spells or instant-speed board wipes can disrupt their plans, making it difficult to exploit Rattlechains’ strengths. Cards like Fatal Push or Supreme Verdict, which can sweep the board before the enemy can build a critical mass of Spirits, are valuable tools in these scenarios.

Moreover, preventing the activation of Rattlechains’ secondary ability, which targets a Spirit and gives it hexproof until end of turn, is paramount. Utilizing removal spells with split-second, like Sudden Death, can bypass the hexproof protection since your opponent won’t be able to react with Rattlechains’ ability. Additionally, implementing strategies that don’t rely on targeting the opponent’s creatures, such as using board wipes or applying global effects with cards like Cursed Totem, can nullify Rattlechains’ defensive capabilities.

In essence, to beat Rattlechains, ensure your deck is equipped with both timely removal and non-targeted global disruptions. This approach should prevent Rattlechains from effectively protecting Spirit creatures and consequently tilt the duel in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depths of MTG, we uncover gems like Rattlechains that offer a blend of agility and protection for Spirit aficionados. The intricate dance of summoning and shielding spirits can make your deck both formidable and elusive. Rattlechains is not just another addition; it’s a tactical game-changer for those who like to cast in secrecy and disrupt their opponent’s flow. If your collection thirsts for this kind of sly maneuverability and you’re ready to pilot a deck that catches your rivals off-guard, delve into the ethereal synergy and finesse that Rattlechains brings to the table. Join us to master the ghostly art of surprise in your MTG matches.


Cards like Rattlechains

Rattlechains stands out in the world of spirit tribal decks in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often likened to other spirit-centric cards such as Mausoleum Wanderer for its synergy with spirit creatures. Rattlechains has a distinct edge by offering a quick protection through its flash ability, enabling strategic plays by giving other Spirit creatures you control flash as well. This differs from Mausoleum Wanderer’s approach, which serves more as a sacrifice deterrent by countering opponent spells.

Another related card is Drogskol Captain, which also empowers spirits by granting them hexproof and a power boost. While the Captain requires a bit more mana investment, Rattlechains complements such cards by ensuring your spirits can be summoned at a moment’s notice, possibly even in response to an opponent’s actions. This instant-speed flexibility is what sets Rattlechains apart from its counterparts. Spectral Sailor can also be part of this conversation, offering instant card draw and flash, but Rattlechains brings a unique layer of team-wide protection and synergy within the spirit tribe.

Comparing these options underscores the value Rattlechains delivers in a focused spirit deck, especially for those who prize adaptability and tactical advantage during dynamic gameplay moments.

Mausoleum Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Drogskol Captain - MTG Card versions
Spectral Sailor - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Wanderer - Eldritch Moon Promos (PEMN)
Drogskol Captain - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Spectral Sailor - Core Set 2020 (M20)

Cards similar to Rattlechains by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Lord of Atlantis - Wizards Play Network 2024 (PW24)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Soratami Cloudskater - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rattlechains MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Promos, 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 Rattlechains and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rattlechains Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Lius Lasahido.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 812015normalblackLius Lasahido
22016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 81s2015normalblackLius Lasahido
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1662015normalblackLius Lasahido
42021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1102015normalblackLius Lasahido
52023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 872015normalblackLius Lasahido

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rattlechains has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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