Ichor Rats MTG Card


Ichor Rats grant each opponent a poison counter, offering a direct route to proliferate strategies. The card’s specific mana cost and potential discard requirements may affect deck building. Its unique effect sets it apart, making it a meta-relevant addition to infect decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Rat
Abilities Infect
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) When Ichor Rats enters the battlefield, each player gets a poison counter.


Cards like Ichor Rats

Ichor Rats holds a unique position amongst creatures in Magic the Gathering with its ability to grant a poison counter to each opponent without requiring combat damage. When comparing it to other infect creatures, the Ichor Rats stand out for their singular etb (enter the battlefield) effect. Blighted Agent, for example, offers unblockability but requires combat damage to deliver poison counters. Conversely, Plague Stinger provides flying capabilities, yet again relies on dealing combat damage to dispense its toxic payload.

Other parallels can be drawn with creatures that impact all opponents, such as Gray Merchant of Asphodel. While Gray Merchant siphons life from opponents and returns it to you, Ichor Rats focus solely on dispensing a universal poison counter – a subtlety that can be pivotal in games focused on infect strategy. Phyrexian Crusader is a similarly interesting comparison. It boasts protection from red and from white, making it a resilient threat, but it lacks the immediate board-wide impact of Ichor Rats’ special ability.

When evaluating infectious creatures, Ichor Rats arguably boasts an exceptional role, thanks to its unique method of distributing poison counters, bypassing the need for combat and showcasing its potential as a strategic and immediate threat in infect-centric decks.

Blighted Agent - MTG Card versions
Plague Stinger - MTG Card versions
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Crusader - MTG Card versions
Blighted Agent - MTG Card versions
Plague Stinger - MTG Card versions
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Crusader - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ichor Rats by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ichor Rats comes with a potent ability to place a poison counter on each opponent, serving as a strategic platter for potential proliferate mechanics. This can accumulate to a decisive edge, enabling players to utilize various pathways to victory even without conventional damage.

Resource Acceleration: As part of a synergistic deck that focuses on proliferating or increasing counters, Ichor Rats acts as a spark that ignites the fuel of the engine, potentially accelerating one’s strategy to leverage early wins through poison counters.

Instant Speed: Though not at instant speed itself, Ichor Rats enhances decks featuring instant speed interaction by capitalizing on those proliferate triggers and tricks that can be played at instant speed, allowing for surprise shifts in the game’s momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ichor Rats doesn’t directly require you to discard cards, its inclusion in a deck may lead to a heavier reliance on other cards that facilitate proliferating poison counters, which can sometimes mean discarding for greater synergy or efficiency.

Specific Mana Cost: Ichor Rats demands a precise mana combination to be cast—one black mana and two generic mana. This can be restrictive, especially in multicolor decks where mana bases are crucial and less flexible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana for a 2/1 creature, Ichor Rats might be considered steep in terms of mana efficiency. Given that part of the card’s value is tied to its poisonous ability, one needs to assess if the mana investment aligns with their deck strategy or if there are more efficient creatures to be played at that cost bracket.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ichor Rats offers a unique entry point into poison counter strategies, capable of fitting into a variety of deck builds. Their ability to give each player a poison counter upon entering the battlefield sets the stage for a quick potential victory in formats where poison counters are a threat.

Combo Potential: The infect ability of Ichor Rats can be exponentially amplified through proliferate mechanics or buffs to the creature itself. This makes it an essential piece in combos focused on accumulating poison counters rapidly.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where life total-focused strategies dominate, the alternate win condition provided by poison counters that Ichor Rats contribute to can be a game-changer, providing a viable path to victory against decks that are not prepared to handle infect mechanics.


How to beat

Ichor Rats holds a unique position within Magic: The Gathering, primarily due to its ability to introduce poison counters to the game. This single black card represents a potential ticking time bomb, as players infected by poison counters are faced with an alternative losing condition. Tackling the challenge presented by the Ichor Rats hinges on a few strategic maneuvers.

One effective strategy is to prioritize creature removal spells. Quickly dispatching the Ichor Rats with spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can prevent the poison counter’s application altogether. Additionally, creature-based strategies that can block and eliminate Ichor Rats without taking combat damage can be equally effective. Cards with lifelink, allowing you to offset any damage taken during the exchange, can also play a crucial role.

Ultimately, the secret to overcoming the Ichor Rats lies in readiness and reaction. Keeping removal at hand, optimizing your creature’s interactions, and being vigilant about your life total are key factors in preventing this small creature from setting the stage for your downfall in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re delving into strategies that center around infect and poison counters, Ichor Rats should undoubtedly be on your radar. Its unique ability to infuse the battlefield with poison counters the moment it lands can tip the scales in your favor. Coupled with proliferate tactics, these rats become a cornerstone in crafting a swift path to victory. Whether integrating them into an existing deck or building a new one around this potent mechanic, the Ichor Rats are a card that demands consideration. Eager to explore this tactic further? Dive in with us for in-depth insights and tips to harness the full power of Ichor Rats in your MTG gameplay. Let the strategic infestation begin!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ichor Rats MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander, 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 Ichor Rats and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ichor Rats Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 672003NormalBlackMatt Stewart
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 932015NormalBlackMatt Stewart

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ichor Rats has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ichor Rats card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-01-01 A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01 If Ichor Rats's last ability causes each player to have ten poison counters, the game is a draw.
2011-01-01 If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn't get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn't get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01 Infect's effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01 The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They're not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.