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in: Rats

Rat

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For other uses, see Rat (disambiguation).

Rat
Rat
Creature Type
(Subtype for creature/kindred cards)
Beeble Scale 3[1]
Statistics
103 cards
{U} 5.8% {B} 82.5% {U/B} 4.9% {B/R} 2.9% {W/B} 1.9% {M} 1.9%
28 Rat creation cards
{B} 57.1% {R} 28.6% {G} 3.6% {W/U} 3.6% {U/B} 3.6% {B/R} 3.6%
as of Bloomburrow
Scryfall Search
type:"Rat"

Rats are small, omnivorous rodents belonging to the genus Rattus. These common and prolific creatures can be found in many planes, and are often plague - and disease carriers (Pestilence Rats, Diseased Vermin). Rats often appear in large numbers.

Description[ | ]

The first card to bear the creature type Rat was Plague Rats in Alpha. Rats are mainly black, sometimes with red as the second color. However, Bloomburrow introduced rats in mono-blue. They are primarily associated with two types of effects:

Wilds of Eldraine was the first set to have Rat Typal as a draft archetype.[3] This was followed by Bloomburrow, where rats were one of the ten typal groupings.[4]

Types of Rats[ | ]

Bloomburrow[ | ]

Rats are one of the animalfolk of Bloomburrow. Ratfolk are isolationist keepers of secrets and ancient relics from as early as Valley's founding.[5] maintaining Ossuaries of history that only those approved by elders can visit.[6] Generations before the Omenpath Era, they were more forthright with their knowledge, until a mischievous interloper nearly caused an apocalypse with an unsuccessful attempt to control the Calamity Beasts. Ratfolk find relics on the shores of the Long River and store them in Knowledge Ossuaries, cavernous tunnels below Valley's marshes. Ratfolk call the sum of their knowledge The World Whorl, named for the spiraling pattern that the Knowledge Ossuaries usually take.

At their best, ratfolk are thoughtful, self-sufficient, and intelligent.[5] At their worst, they are distrusting, dismissive, uncooperative, and standoffish loners who have trouble building interpersonal connections. Ratfolk survive harsh circumstances by forming psychic connections with native insects, typically bonding with their insect companions more than the other animalfolk around them, even for life.[7] This link can even apply to larger, sapient creatures as well. When they do form bonds with others, ratfolk tend to be clingy and overbearing, excited to meet someone who shares their interests or values.

Ratfolk are resourceful and knowledgeable advisors, librarians, and informants.[5] They tend to have idiosyncrasies like talking to themselves or their insect companions, carving shells into sculptures, and meticulously journaling their discoveries. Typically, ratfolk will train their insect to work as a combat partner, allowing for flanking maneuvers or distractions. Several use insect parts as armor.[7] Ratfolk are skilled in hypnotic magic, using snail shells as conduits to trick and undermine their foes. They can also employ telekinetic powers to help keep their distance and provide distractions.

Ratfolk worship the Fell Comet, a floating comet above an underground pond deep beneath the surface of Valley.[6] Young ratfolk must reach the center of the caverns and chip off a chunk from the icy rock as a test of their cunning and ingenuity.

Capenna[ | ]

Rats are numerous in New Capenna's streets.[8] Oskar enjoys their company.

Dominaria[ | ]

Wharf Rats were found in port cities and other places in Golthonor, like Balthesa. They were responsible for the death of Xarl’s sister Init. Other Rats hide in bogs, sewers or crypts. On Otaria they were known to prey on graves.[9]

Eldraine[ | ]

Rats are not common in The Realm but live throughout The Wilds.

Lord Skitter was a large and intelligent demonic rat inhabiting the ancient dwarven ruins beneath Edgewall. He could speak, and he ruled over a horde of rats. After failing to invade Edgewall, his rats presumably devoured him, though no one knows for sure if he’s dead. Rats from his horde have now returned to normal.

Kamigawa[ | ]

Nezumi (nay-ZOO-mee;[10] Kamigawan: nezumi-bito, lit. "ratfolk") are a race of anthropomorphic rats native to Kamigawa.[11][12] They are a prodigious race; it is said that each nezumi has forty brothers.[13] They live in the bogs of the Takenuma swamp and on the outskirts of human cities like Numai and Towashi, sometimes raiding those cities for supplies or fun. Other races of Kamigawa ostracize and stereotype the nezumi, which results in them living in poverty and resenting the other races. They often have the Ninja creature class. Some Nezumi Shamans use incantations to summon and control Insects to swarm and distract their enemies.[14]

New Phyrexia[ | ]

The compleated rats of New Phyrexia are generally toxic and infectious.

Eventually, rats became so numerous that some began to eat each other, and their bones began to fuse. They became Karumonix, who can sense and manipulate any rodents in Phyrexia.

Rath[ | ]

The dungeons of Volrath were infested with Rabid Rats. The Oracle en-Vec used the Rats of Rath in the scrutiny of entrails.

Ravnica[ | ]

The sewers of the Undercity of Ravnica are infested by rabid Sewer Sirens. They mesmerize their victims, urging them to pet their furry snouts. They don't attack unless a hand is put in their mouth.[15]

Notable Rats[ | ]

Eldraine

Kamigawa

New Phyrexia

Trivia[ | ]

Tokens[ | ]

Token Name Color Type Line P/T Text Box Source Printings
Rat Black Creature — Rat 1/1
Black Creature — Rat 1/1 Deathtouch
Black Creature — Rat 1/1 Lifelink
Black Creature — Rat 1/1 This creature can't block.
Black Creature — Rat 1/1 This creature gets +1/+1 for each other Rat you control.
Rat Rogue Black Creature — Rat Rogue 1/1
Thornplate Intimidator Black Creature — Rat Rogue 1/1 When this creature enters, target opponent loses 3 life unless they sacrifice a nonland permanent or discard a card.
(This token's mana cost is {3}{B}.)
Pack Rat Black Creature — Rat */* Pack Rat's power and toughness are each equal to the number of Rats you control.
{2}{B}, Discard a card: Put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of Pack Rat.

Gallery[ | ]

See also[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 2, 2019). "Where are the rats on the Beeble Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. ↑ Magic Arcana (June 09, 2004). "Sketches: Relentless Rats". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 18, 2023). "Wilds Blue Yonder, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 9, 2024). "The Bloom of Burrow, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ a b c Neale LaPlante Johnson (July 16, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Bloomburrow, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ a b Neale LaPlante Johnson (July 11, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Bloomburrow, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ a b Tiny and Mighty - Bloomburrow Debut (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (July 9, 2024).
  8. ↑ Waste Management
  9. ↑ Magic Arcana (June 13, 2002). "Rat flavored". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Magic Arcana (September 14, 2004). "A Kamigawa Glossary, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Gwendolyn Kestrel (September 15, 2004). "Security". magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast
  12. ↑ Magic Arcana (October 25, 2004). "Nezumi in Art". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ (2004). Champions of Kamigawa Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 05, 2005). "A Couple of Misers". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ Nicky Drayden (October 17, 2018). "Testing the Dark Waters". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
 
Multicolored {M}
Majority {W}
Majority {U}
Majority {B}
Majority {R}
Majority {G}
Majority {C}
Majority Token
Crossover
 
Notable Races
Notable Classes
Other
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