Cat

Cat is a creature type used for felines. In Magic, the term refers to both regular cats and other feline creatures (some endowed with sapience), such as lions and tigers. The first creature to bear the type was <c>Cat Warriors</c> in Legends (though the <c>Savannah Lions</c> from Alpha was later issued errata to become a Cat). The first card with the subtype Cat without a second subtype was <c>Canyon Wildcat</c> from Tempest. 
Cats come in all colors, but are primarily found in green and white. All cats are said to be descended from Arahbo, the primordial essence of all cats in the Multiverse.Flavor text for <c>Arahbo, the First Fang</c>Commander 2017 Commanders
==Catfolk==
===Cat Warriors===
<c>Cat warriors</c> are feline humanoids found throughout Dominaria, primarily on the continent of Jamuraa. There are various strains of cat warriors, some resembling tigers, others leopards or jaguars, and yet others cougars. The cat warriors have kept a relatively low profile throughout Dominaria's history, but they date back at least as far as the era of the Thran Empire.
There are various tribes of cat warriors. The Chitr’in were visited by Gerrard Capashen and Mirri once.Peter Archer (ed.) Rath and Storm anthology. Wizards of the Coast. The Efravans, Hooraree, Khyyiani, and Sulaki live in the Sukurvian Desert. After the Phyrexian Invasion of Dominaria destroyed the cat warriors' Jamuraan homelands, their race was scattered across Dominaria.
The panther warriors, nacatl, leonin, and perhaps nishoba as well, might be considered to belong to the same race as other cat warriors, but their cultures are distinct enough to set them apart.
Dominarian catfolk, as a whole, appear to have become extinct, except for the panther warriors of Free Urborg.
====Panther Warriors====
The panther warriors are exiles of the cat warrior nations, many of whom had taken up residence in Urborg. They sometimes serve dark forces but are usually neutral in their worldview. During the Mirage Wars, they were led by Purraj, an ally of Kaervek, who came with him to Jamuraa from Urborg and possibly perished there.
Long after the demise of Lord Windgrace, his followers still defended Urborg by sabotaging the Cabal's artifacts.<c>Windgrace Acolyte</c> Organized in Free Urborg, they were led by Marivel.
===Leonin===
Leonin are a form of anthropomorphic lion found on multiple planes. They have a strong connection to white mana.
====Mirrodin Leonin====
The Leonin of Mirrodin dwelled in the Razor Fields, their capital being Taj-Nar, the <c>Ancient Den</c>. Their culture is highly honor-based and religious, worshipping the white sun. Clerics of the suns have to survive a year in the Razor Fields before they are regarded as full abunas (clerics) that are allowed to lead other Leonin in religious ceremonies, particularly the Sunroar. As with all creatures from Mirrodin, they have partially metallic features. The Leonin shared a bond with the pterons, flying reptiles, and specialized skyhunters used them as mounts. Those that hunted on the ground were known as "shikari." Leonin weaponsmiths were known as "edgewrights," a term borrowed by the Auriok.
After Memnarch was defeated and Karn, Mirrodin's creator, sent those leonin abducted from other planes back to where they had come from, a schism ran through the remaining ones. One group supported a new kha named Kemba, calling themselves the kha-tal. The other, formerly the Obu-tal, called for a revolution against the old societal structures, believing that they did not apply to the changing world. 
Like all inhabitants of Mirrodin, the leonin were drawn to that world from another plane. Though never explicitly stated, it is possible that they came from Alara; both the nacatl and the leonin call their leader the kha, and after Alara reformed, some Nacatl began calling themselves Leonin.
====Nacatl====
The nacatl are a race of leonin from the shard of Naya (originally part of Alara). The males look very similar to the leonin of Mirrodin (sans metal plating) and have light fur, while the females lack manes. Naya's leonin display more physiological variety than Mirrodin's leonin; Nacatl have coats like tigers, jaguars, ocelots, and others, ranging from mottled-jaguar to silver-gray to completely black.Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246
The cat-people used to dominate Naya, with the nacatl's Empire of the Clouds operating an extensive system of roads, bridges, and aqueducts across the plane all constructed out of rocks and timbers so finely cut that mortar was unnecessary. During the years of the empire, the Nacatl didn’t have a spiritual culture. The Nacatl embraced a code of ethics called the Coil in which each was free to pursue happiness however they wanted as long as they didn't hurt another Nacatl. A rebellious faction known as the Claws of Marisi believed they had grown weak, and that they should return to their true cat nature. Their empire crumbled and the nacatl were reduced to isolated tribes. By the time of the Conflux, the nacatl were split into at least two cultural groups: the peaceful Cloud Nacatl, who inhabited the mountain ruins of their ancestors, and the violent Wild Nacatl and Claws of Marisi, who lived in the lowland jungles; the two groups had nothing but contempt for each other. Scratchforms is the writing system employed by the nacatl. Among Wild Nacatl, scratchforms are predominantly used by shamans. The most important text set in scratchforms was the Coil.
Most Nacatl have returned to wandering the cloud jungles and grow more feral with each generation. Many have returned to a mainly nocturnal existence, sleeping in low branches during the day and doing most of their hunting in the early evening. Starstalkers are the most skilled hunters of the Wild Nacatl and are highly respected for their physical prowess. Many nomadic tribes camp in the ruins of their former civilization. Because of fewer resources in the high jungles, the Nacatl have begun wandering into the lower elevations, where they fight both elves and humans over territory.
The Nacatl social unit is the pride. Among the Cloud Nacatl, prides are longstanding and complex familial structures with great histories and bloodlines. The Wild Nacatl, however, have prides that are looser and more changeable. Each pride has a leader, though individuals within the pride generally have the freedom to do as they wish. Leadership and status are determined through ferocity and survival rather than blood ties.
While stonework is used in the construction of roads and large buildings, the Nacatl prefer to live in drays: small, stone-hewn dens built around tree trunks and in cliff faces. The Nacatl-like baskets and reed weaving, decorate their drays with remnants of their warrior past, like old shields, weapons, and exquisite tusk carvings. Celebration and wealth are highly prized among the Nacatl.
The savage nacatl are a subgroup of which very little is known, save that they disdain the use of weapons and armor. Savage nacatl are larger and more muscular than other cat-people, with no manes, gray fur, and black tiger-like stripes. Their relation to other nacatl is unknown.
After the Conflux, when Alara was made whole once more, some nacatl migrated to the civilized lands of Bant and began integrating into the city-dwelling culture. The Bant cat-people, who adapted to the chivalrous code of knights and soldiers, simply called themselves leonin. The Nayan pride of the Sunstrikers is loyal to Ajani. It's their sworn duty to keep his and their lands safe.
Nacatl means 'Meat' in Nahuatl, which is a Mesoamerican language notably used by the Aztecs.
====Theros Leonin====
Unlike the proud leonin of other planes, Theros' leonin are disgraced outcasts due to their previous support of the Archon Agnomakhos, who tyrannized Meletis and surrounding lands. These leonin make a conscious effort to separate themselves from humanity and the other races, down to not worshipping the main gods of Theros, though some do still occasionally honor Heliod and Nylea. Most live in the golden plain of Oreskos.Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast Each year, on the day of the first full moon after the autumn equinox, matriarchs from all the leonin prides gather at Tethmos to select a monarch, who acts as a representative of the pride in the wider world.
====Capennan leonin====
On Capenna, the leonin are mostly associated with the Cabaretti crime family, although they are also present in the Brokers. Uniquely they more closely resemble domestic cats and caracals rather than lions.
===Malamet===
The Malamet are jaguarfolk living in the underground caverns of Ixalan. They are taller and broader than the plane's vampires and have longer fangs. They are hearty, clever, and wise but suspicious, territorial, and ruthless. An ancient people, the Malamet's customs are set, their communication rigid and formal.
According to their histories, the Malamet fought alongside the humans and merfolk in the Night War against the Coin Empire and the followers of Aclazotz. After their shared victory, the Malamet journeyed to the surface, but returned to the caverns after their empires were defeated by the nascent Sun Empire. Now with very few living members remaining, they hope to one day return to the surface but generally recognize that they exist in the twilight of their culture.
A fundamentally vain people, in addition to shaping their buildings after their fangs, the Malamet language is recorded on stele in glyphs based on the spot markings on their fur. Malamet textiles, carvings, clothing, armor, weapons, icons of status, and so on all bear meaningful glyphs, phrases, and names; mastery over the vast Malamet alphabet is a desirable quality among the Malamet, as well as one's aptitude in combining glyphs to create the most information-dense poetics one can. Malamet magic, as well, is derived from their glyphs: the will, wisdom, stories, and very forms of their ancestors are written into these glyphs and can be summoned to aid them in times of need.
Malamet society is grouped into castes known as cadres, and turmoil between cadre affiliations has on rare occasions fomented into war. Malamet warriors wear intricate jade armor, wielding bows, serrated obsidian blades, and polearms. Their nobility and priesthood wear elaborate headdresses and collars. They worship their leader as a god and bare their throats deferentially when speaking to him. Malamet mythweavers can ascertain someone's intentions by projecting a magic image of their desires. Mythweavers and glyphscribes are known to pilgrimage to the ghost city of Chama Koj to learn its history.
The Malamet likely drew inspiration from the Aztec Jaguar warriors. Some Malamet have Maya names, and their cities suspended by bridges may draw inspiration from the raised causeways of Xingu cities.
===Nishoba===
Ogre-sized cat-people blending the features of snow leopards and smilodons with some wolflike features, nishobas lived as marauders in cold regions. Nishobas are known to have lived on the continents of Terisiare and Otaria on Dominaria. The name nishoba is said to originate from a Native American word meaning "wolf," though the original word and language are unknown.
==Regular cats==
Nearly every real-world species of cat has been printed with the cat type, including:
===Domestic cats===
Domestic cats had been rarely featured in Magic, until Amonkhet. When they are, they are often sacred creatures associated with white mana, or black familiars of witches.
====Amonkhet====
Cats are sacred to the god of solidarity, Oketra, though they lack it. At least some are embalmed after death.
====Innistrad====
 patrol churches in order to root devils out.
====Ravnica====
A variety of domestic cat breeds such as <c>Generous Stray</c> and <c>Charmed Stray</c> are found on the streets of Ravnica. 
====Eldraine====
Black cats in Eldraine appear near the <c>The Cauldron of Eternity</c> as a <c>Cauldron Familiar</c> and take advantage of its resurrection powers.
==Other cats==
===Arynx===
Horned Cat Beasts from Tarkir and Ravnica. Once it has the scent, it hunts down its prey to the end (as seen in <c>Lurking Arynx</c>)
===Felidars===
Felidars are horned cat beasts found on many planes.
The Zendikar continent of Sejiri is home to felidars. Some human knights can <c title="tame them">Kabira Vindicator</c>. Felidars that make it through their first year of life can easily live to see a hundred years more. Certain felidars are believed to have become isolated from the skyclaves, where over time they became the monstrous <c title="shadowcats">Skyclave Shadowcat</c> that now inhabit them.
Felidars are also found on Avishkar, where they are kept as <c title="guard beasts">Felidar Guardian</c>, and on Ikoria.<c>Frondland Felidar</c> Felidars are also found on Ravnica, where they are primarily associated with the Azorius Guild where they form strong bonds with a single individual, sometimes a criminal, allowing them to see through their eyes and find them anywhere on the plane. Some Ravnican Felidars are winged.D&D Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica Winged Felidars with access to magic serve as bonded mounts for the plane's Archons.
Felidars can also be found on Thunder Junction, although it is unknown if they are endemic.
===Firecats===
Firecats are elemental cats native to the Pardic Mountains of Otaria. As their name suggests, their bodies are permanently ablaze. Their extinguished furs were often used as clothing by the Pardic barbarians.
===Ikorian Cats===
On Ikoria, cats are one of the dominant clades and in particular oversee Savai. They are elegant but sadistic predators that toy with their prey. Like all life on Ikoria, they are mutants, and several have wings, which Vivien Reid remarks as not being seen as unusual there. Non-hybridized Ikorian cats range from small, tusked creatures the size of housecats to winged panthers the size of a horse.Jay Annelli (2022). Magic: The Gathering - The Visual Guide, DK. ISBN-13 978-0744061055. 
====Nightcats====
A variety of cats that are native to Indatha as opposed to Savai. They glow.
===Jhovalls===
Jhovalls (see <c>Wild Jhovall</c>) are enormous cats native to Mercadia. They are fierce in combat and are large and strong enough to be used as mounts for fully armored warriors, although training to ride the beasts takes many years of practice. <c>Jhovall rider</c>s, therefore, make up the elite corps of both the Mercadian and Cho-Arrim armies.
===Leotau===
Leotau (LEE-oh-tau) are semi-intelligent mounts employed by the Inner Three nations of Bant, distantly related to the leonin of Naya.Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246 They are unique in that they are hooved animals; they have the heads and bodies of lions but possess the legs of horses or bulls. Leotau prefer the shard's inland savannahs and have a notorious dislike of the ocean and coastal areas. Neither Jhess nor Valeron use the leotau for this reason. There are three distinct leotau subspecies: the white-coated orisil favored by the Blessed caste; the golden, fleet-footed mherva; and the large, calico/dappled grohm.
Undead variants of these species are present in Grixis.
===Maaka===
Giant, six-eyed cats on Ravnica, loyal to the Gruul.
===Serpopards===
Based on an actual mythological creature, serpopods are snake cats endemic to Amonkhet. They serve the god Rhonas (as seen in <c>Prowling Serpopod</c>)
===Stonework Pumas===
The ancient product of an unknown Zendikari runesculptor or sculptors, have long been the reliable choice of many adventuring parties. There are known to be less than a hundred such artifact creatures in existence, and each one has been named after its famous exploits.
===Tora===
The Tora (TOH-ra) of Kamigawa are tigers. Magical idols have been sculpted in the image of Toras (as seen in <c>Slumbering Tora</c>.)
===Urborg Panthers===
 are cat-like nightstalkers.
===Yalomar Cats===
Yalomar cats were powerful felines native to the region of Khone on Corondor.Dakkon Blackblade (comic) One cat was used in training the Numbered Ones in the Valley of Sacrifice. When the Numbered Ones managed to destroy it with magic, the resulting blast blinded the Khonian midwives and killed all but one of the Numbered Ones, leaving only Gydolien Mor alive.
===Zheng===
The <c title="Zheng">Ferocious Zheng</c> are cat beasts from Shenmeng. They are known for their glowing horn and stone-rattling roar and are the fiercest predators in the forest.
==Notable Cats==
==Creature Update==
Creature types changed into Cat include: 
*Cheetah (<c>King Cheetah</c>)
*Lion (<c>Savannah Lions</c>)
*Tiger (<c>Sabretooth Tiger</c>)
*Wildcat (<c>Uktabi Wildcats</c>)
==Trivia==
*<c>Animal Sanctuary</c> is a land that can put +1/+1 counters on cats.
*When Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths had a strong tribal theme in vision design, Cats were the white-centered tribe.Mark Rosewater (April 20, 2020). "Ikoria of the Beholder, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
*Core Set 2021 and Jumpstart featured Cat Tribal.
*Both Naya and Ixalan have Mesoamerican-themed Catfolk, though there has been no known contact between the two cultures.
*The Rakshasa of Tarkir received errata to no longer being Cats. They were originally because the non-Hindu perception was largely based on the Dungeons & Dragons' portrayal of them. However, authentic Rakshasa were shapeshifters that could take any form, so labeling them Cat Demons was not particularly accurate.
*Jaguar was used as a creature type in the Microprose video game on the digital only Astral set and on a promotional printed version of the same card.
==Tokens==
;Test cards
==Gallery==
===Catfolk===
File:Cat warriors.jpg|Cat warriors of Dominaria. Art by Melissa Benson.
File:Panther warriors Dominaria.jpg|Panther Warriors of Dominaria. Art by Eric Peterson.
File:Lord Windgrace C18 Bram Sels.jpg|Lord Windgrace a Panther Warrior planeswalker from Urborg, Dominaria.
File:Arctic Nishoba.jpg|Nishoba of Dominaria. Art by Dave Kendall.
File:Jedit's Dragoons.jpg|Cat Warrior of Dominaria.
File:Leonin.jpg|Male and Female Leonin (Mirrodin/New Phyrexia). Art by Todd Lockwood.
File:Lost Leonin.jpg|A Corrupted Leonin from Mirrodin/New Phyrexia
File:Ajani's Chosen Nacatl.jpg|Nacatls of Alara.
File:Leonin Armorguard.jpg|A Leonin from Alara.
File:Leonin-Lightscribe.jpg|A Leonin from Arcavios.
File:Ajani Vengeant.jpg|Ajani Goldmane a Nacatl planeswalker from Alara (Naya).
File:Leonin of the Lost Pride.jpg|Leonins from Theros.
File:Oreskos Swiftclaw.jpg|From Theros.
File:Alms Collector .jpg|A cleric catfolk.
File:Pride Guardian.jpg|A monk Leonin.
File:CompleatedLeoninConcept.png|Compleated New Phyrexian leonin concept.
File:TheranLeoninConcepts.jpg|Theran Leonin concepts by Peter Mohrbacher.
File:Okinec Ahau MTGA avatar LCI.png|Okinec Ahau, sovereign of the Malamet in Ixalan's core.
===Other Cats===
File:Horned Cheetah.jpg|Horned Cheetah from from Dominaria.
File:Noble Panther.jpg|Panther from Dominaria.
File:Springing Tiger.jpg|Tiger from Dominaria.
File:Blistering Firecat.jpg|A Elemental Cat from Dominaria.
File:Wasitora.jpg|Wasitora, Nekoru Queen (Dragon Cat), from Madara (Dominaria).
File:Adorned Pouncer.jpg|A cat from Amonkhet.
File:Eternal cat.jpg|Eternalized cat from Amonkhet.
File:Pouncing Cheetah.jpg|A Cheetah from Amonkhet.
File:Regal Caracal.jpg|A Caracal from Amonkhet.
File:Pride Sovereign.jpg|A Lion from Amonkhet.
File:Prowling Serpopard.jpg|A Serpopard (Snake Cat) from Amonkhet.
File:Cauldron Familiar.jpg|A Familiar cat from Eldraine.
File:Keeper of Fables.jpg|A Cat from Eldraine.
File:Prophet of the Peak.jpg|An Artifact Cat from Eldraine.
File:Sanctuary Cat.jpg|A cat from Innistrad.
File:Black Cat.jpg|A zombie cat from Innistrad.
File:Ferocious Zheng.jpg|A Zheng from Plane of Mountains and Seas.
File:Charmed Stray.jpg|Cats from Ravnica
File:Pouncing Lynx.jpg|A Lynx from Ravnica.
File:Frenzied Arynx.jpg|An Arynx from Ravnica.
File:Rubblebelt maaka.jpg|A Maaka from Ravnica.
File:Pride of the Clouds.jpg|An elemental cat from Ravnica.
File:Felidar Guardian.jpg|A felidar from Avishkar.
File:Hunt-the-weak.jpg|A tiger from Avishkar.
File:Longtusk cub.jpg|Longtusks from Avishkar.
File:Scrounging Bandar.jpg|A bandar (Monkey Cat) from Avishkar.
File:Zendikar Cat.jpg|A cat from Zendikar.
File:Loam Lion Zendikar.jpg|A lion from Zendikar.
File:Felidar Sovereign.jpg|A Felidar from Zendikar.
File:Scythe Tiger.jpg|A Scythe Tiger from Zendikar.
File:Scythe Leopard.jpg|A Scythe Leopard from Zendikar.
File:Stonework Puma.jpg|An Artifact Puma Ally from Zendikar.
File:Canyon Wildcat.jpg|A cat from Rath.
File:Leotaus.jpg|Leotaus from Alara.
File:Undead Leotau.jpg|A zombie Leotau from Alara.
File:Bronzehide Lion.png|A lion from Theros.
File:Nylea's Emissary.jpg|A Nyxborn cat from Theros.
File:Feline Sovereign.jpg
File:Canopy Stalker.jpg
File:Cubwarden.jpg|A Clad cat from Ikoria.
File:Herald of the Forgotten.jpg|A Winged Cat from Ikoria.
File:Frost Lynx.jpg|An Elemental Lynx from Ikoria.
File:Frondland Felidar.jpg|A Felidar from Ikoria.
File:Regal Leosaur.jpg|A Leosaur (Dinosaur Cat) from Ikoria.
File:Ferocious Tigorilla.jpg|A Tigorilla (Ape Cat) from Ikoria.
File:Lurrus.jpg|Lurrus, a Cat Nightmare from Ikoria.
File:Lurking Arynx.jpg|An Arynx from Tarkir.
File:Pyretic Hunter.jpg|An Elemental Cat from Fiora.
File:Cat.jpg|A Lynx.
File:Vivien's Invocation.jpg|Vivien's Tiger (Cat Spirit), one of Vivien's invocations.
File:Slash Panther.jpg|A Phyrexian Panther Artifact from Mirrodin/New Phyrexia.
File:Spirit of the Hearth.jpg|A Spirit Cat from Lorwyn–Shadowmoor.
File:IkoriaCatConcept.png|Ikoria Cat-clade monster concept.
File:FelidarConcept.jpg|Zendikari Felidar concept by Aleksi Briclot.
==References==