Dominating the Shadows: A Comprehensive Guide to Rat Tribal Commander Decks in Magic: The Gathering

Introduction

In the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), Rat tribal decks stand out as a formidable force, combining the power of synergy and relentless swarming to overwhelm opponents. This guide delves into the intricacies of Rat tribal commander decks, providing an in-depth analysis of key cards, strategies, and tactics.

Commander Options

The choice of commander is crucial for any tribal deck, and Rat tribal is no exception:

• Chittering Rats: With a modest cost of 2 mana, Chittering Rats provides a steady stream of 1/1 Rats, forming the backbone of your swarm.
• Pack Rat: A potent engine, Pack Rat generates token copies of itself for each creature that dies under your control, multiplying your army exponentially.
• Relentless Rats: This legendary Rat lords over your horde, granting all Rats +1/+0 and deathtouch, ensuring every bite is deadly.

Key Cards

Beyond the commander, specific cards elevate Rat tribal decks to new heights:

• Infectious Rats: A devastating plague, Infectious Rats poisons creatures it blocks, weakening your foes and paving the way for your swarm.
• Piper of the Swarm: This piper summons all Rats from your deck, overwhelming your opponents with sheer numbers.
• Rat Colony: A monstrous swarm, Rat Colony provides an overwhelming force of 13 1/1 Rats, crushing your opponents beneath its weight.
• Trail of Crumbs: This enchantment grants all your Rats flash, allowing you to respond to threats with devastating precision.
• Xenograft: This global enchantment transforms all creatures into Rats, synergizing with your entire army.

Strategies and Tactics

Rat tribal decks thrive on a combination of strategies:

• Overwhelm: Swarms of small Rats can overwhelm opponents with sheer numbers, crushing them beneath their tiny bodies.
• Infection: Poison tokens from Infectious Rats or the commander Relentless Rats cripple your foes, clearing the way for your swarm.
• Delayed Explosion: Pack Rat's exponential growth can lead to explosive turns, overwhelming opponents with an army of tokens.
• Control: Cards like Trail of Crumbs and Xenograft provide control over your horde, allowing you to respond to threats and surprise your opponents.

Budget Considerations

Rat tribal decks can be built on a budget while still remaining competitive:

• Common and Uncommon Cards: The core cards of Rat tribal are predominantly found at common and uncommon rarities, making them accessible to players of all budgets.
• Reprinting: Many key Rat cards have been reprinted in supplemental products, further reducing their cost.
• Pauper: The Pauper format, which restricts decks to common cards only, offers a budget-friendly option for experiencing the power of Rat tribal.

Tables

Table 1: Commander Options

Table 2: Key Cards

Table 3: Budget Considerations

Tips and Tricks

• Protect your swarm: Cards like Scurry Oak and Eidolon of Obstruction protect your Rats from removal.
• Maximize tokens: Token doublers like Parallel Lives and Anointed Procession multiply your swarm, increasing your power exponentially.
• Use recursion: Cards like Reanimate and Necromancy bring back fallen Rats, keeping your army replenished.
• Go wide, not tall: Focus on creating a multitude of small Rats rather than investing mana in a few large ones.
• Exploit synergies: Utilize cards like Abhorrent Overlord and Squee, the Immortal to gain additional benefits from your Rat swarm.

Why Rat Tribal Matters

Rat tribal decks offer several advantages:

• Aggression: They can overwhelm opponents with relentless swarms, pressuring them from the early game.
• Resilience: With multiple small creatures, Rat tribal decks are less vulnerable to board wipes and removal spells.
• Control: Certain cards provide control over your swarm, allowing you to respond to threats and manipulate the game state.
• Budget-friendly: Key Rat cards are predominantly found at common and uncommon rarities, making them accessible to players of all budgets.
• Flavor: Delving into the shadowy underworld of Rats provides a distinct and immersive gameplay experience.

How to Build a Rat Tribal Commander Deck

1. Choose a Commander: Select a commander that aligns with your preferred strategy and playstyle.
2. Collect Core Cards: Gather the key cards listed in the "Key Cards" section, which form the foundation of your deck.
3. Add Swarm and Support: Include cards that create Rat tokens, protect your swarm, and grant additional abilities.
4. Strategize: Consider your chosen commander and cards to develop a cohesive strategy that leverages synergies and exploits your opponent's weaknesses.
5. Test and Refine: Playtest your deck against various opponents to identify weaknesses and areas for optimization.

Conclusion

Rat tribal decks in MTG Commander offer a thrilling blend of aggression, resilience, and control. By utilizing the synergies and strategies outlined in this guide, players can create formidable decks that dominate the shadows and overwhelm their opponents. From budget-friendly options to competitive builds, there is a Rat tribal deck to suit every player. So, embrace the swarm, command the shadows, and unleash the unstoppable force of Rat tribal!