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 <c>disease carriers</c> (<c>Pestilence Rats</c>, <c>Diseased Vermin</c>). Rats often appear in large numbers.
==Description==
The first card to bear the creature type Rat was <c>Plague Rats</c> 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:
*Determining their own power and/or toughness based on the number of rats in play: <c>Swarm of Rats</c>, <c>Plague Rats</c>, <c>Pestilence Rats</c>, <c>Pack Rat</c>, <c>Relentless Rats</c>, ...
*One-shot discard effects, especially as enter-the-battlefield (after the original <c>Ravenous Rats</c>) or death triggers: <c>Drainpipe Vermin</c>, <c>Hellhole Rats</c>, <c>Rotting Rats</c>, <c>Chittering Rats</c>, <c>Sanity Gnawers</c>, ...
Wilds of Eldraine was the first set to have Rat Typal as a draft archetype. This was followed by Bloomburrow, where rats were one of the ten typal groupings.
==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. maintaining Ossuaries of history that only those approved by elders can visit. 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. At their worst, they are distrusting, dismissive, uncooperative, and standoffish loners who have trouble building interpersonal connections.Magic: The Gathering Arena Tooltips 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.<c>Waste Management</c> 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 <c title="bogs">Bog Rats</c>, <c title="sewers">Sewer Rats</c> or <c title="crypts">Crypt Rats</c>. On Otaria they were known to prey on graves.
===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; Kamigawan: nezumi-bito, lit. "ratfolk") are a race of anthropomorphic rats native to Kamigawa.Gwendolyn Kestrel (September 15, 2004). "Security". magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast They are a prodigious race; it is said that each nezumi has forty brothers.(2004). Champions of Kamigawa Player's Guide. Wizards of the Coast. 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.
===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 <c>Rabid Rats</c>. The Oracle en-Vec used the <c>Rats of Rath</c> 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.
==Notable Rats==
==Trivia==
*<c>Karumonix, the Rat King</c> is a Rat Lord.
*<c>Dirty Wererat</c> is a Human Rat.
*<c>Rotting Rats</c> and <c>Gutter Skulk</c> are Zombie Rats.
*<c>Gobhobbler Rats</c>, <c>Hellhole Rats</c>, <c>Sanity Gnawers</c>, and are the only multicolored Rats.
*<c>Swarmyard</c> is a land that regenerates rats.
==Tokens==
;Test cards
==Gallery==
File:nezumi_bone-reader.jpg|Nezumi Bone-Reader from Champions of Kamigawa
File:Nezumi.jpg|Nezumi in the Neon Dynasty world guide.
File:NezumiConcept.jpg|Nezumi concept.
File:NezumiModel3.jpg|Nezumi model.
File:NezumiConcept2.jpg|Nezumi 3D model.
File:NezumiModel.png|Nezumi 3D model.
File:NezumiModel4.jpg|Nezumi reckoner in the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty trailer.
File:CyberbikeModel.jpg|3D model of a Kamigawan nezumi cyberbike.
File:CyberbikeModel2.jpg|3D model of a Kamigawan nezumi cyberbike.
File:CyberbikeModel3.jpg|3D model of a Kamigawan nezumi cyberbike.
File:NezumiModel2.png|Nezumi and cyberbike 3D model.
File:NezumiModel5.png|Nezumi reckoner in the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty trailer.
File:Karumonix, the Rat King.jpg|Karumonix, the Rat King
File:RatConcepts1.png|Blue Bloomburrow ratfolk concepts.
File:RatConcepts2.png|Black Bloomburrow ratfolk concepts.
==See also==
*Rats' Nest
==References==