Can You Play Rat Colony in Commander? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can play Rat Colony in Commander. This is a fantastic option for players looking to build unique and aggressive decks. Unlike most cards which are limited to a single copy in the Commander format, Rat Colony, along with a handful of other cards, has an exception to this rule. This makes building a mono-black or black-focused deck around relentless swarms of rats a highly viable and popular strategy. Let’s dive deeper into the details of how this card and its special allowance work within the context of Commander.
The Unique Rule Exception: A Rat Infestation
Commander’s Single Copy Rule
The cornerstone of the Commander format is that you can only include one copy of any card in your deck, except for basic lands. This is a central rule that fosters diverse deckbuilding and promotes strategic card choices. However, there are some exceptions, and Rat Colony is one of them.
Why Rat Colony (and Relentless Rats) are Different
Cards like Relentless Rats and Rat Colony were designed with a specific mechanic in mind: the ability to overwhelm your opponents with sheer numbers. Their card text actually allows for multiples in the deck. The text states “A deck can have any number of cards named [Card Name].” Thus, the Commander format’s one copy rule is effectively negated for these cards. The other cards that benefit from this exception are Persistent Petitioners, Dragon’s Approach, Shadowborn Apostle, and Seven Dwarves (limited to seven copies).
Strategic Implications of Rat Colony in Commander
The fact that you can have multiple Rat Colony cards in your deck has significant strategic implications. This allows for a few different strategies:
- Aggressive Swarm Strategy: You can build a deck that focuses on rapidly deploying Rat Colony cards to overwhelm your opponent with a large number of creatures.
- Synergy with Rat-themed Commanders: Commanders like Marrow-Gnawer can synergize extremely well with large numbers of rats, further enhancing the power of your deck.
- Flexibility: Although the focus may be on Rat Colony, other cards in your deck can enhance your rat theme, whether through token creation, anthems, or card draw.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rat Colony in Commander
1. How many Rat Colony cards can I include in a Commander deck?
You can include as many copies of Rat Colony as you wish in your Commander deck. The normal single-copy rule does not apply to this card.
2. Can I also play Relentless Rats in the same deck as Rat Colony?
Yes, you can play both Rat Colony and Relentless Rats in the same Commander deck. They are considered different cards, and both benefit from the exception to the single-copy rule.
3. Are there any other cards that ignore the single copy rule in Commander?
Yes, the other cards that can ignore this rule are Relentless Rats, Persistent Petitioners, Dragon’s Approach, Shadowborn Apostle, and Seven Dwarves (limited to seven copies).
4. What sets is Rat Colony legal from?
Rat Colony is legal in Commander as it is from the set Guilds of Ravnica and is a regular-sized card with no silver borders or acorn stamps. The card is legal to play since its prerelease.
5. Is it better to use Rat Colony or Relentless Rats?
The choice between Rat Colony and Relentless Rats depends on your strategy. Rat Colony is cheaper to cast and starts with higher power, which works well with commanders like Marrow-Gnawer. Relentless Rats get +1/+1 for each other on the battlefield, which allows for a large army with enough rat buddies.
6. Can I use other rat-themed cards in a Rat Colony deck?
Absolutely! Combining Rat Colony with other cards that synergize with rats, such as Pack Rat, Piper of the Swarm and Thrumming Stone (to play multiple copies of the rat cards from your deck), will enhance the strategy.
7. What is the ideal land count for a Rat Colony deck?
For a typical midrange Commander deck, you should aim for 37-40 lands. You can adjust this number based on your mana curve and the amount of mana ramp you are running. Consider using dual-lands to get more mana in your colors.
8. Is Marrow-Gnawer a good commander for a Rat Colony deck?
Yes, Marrow-Gnawer is an excellent Commander for a deck that includes a lot of rats. His ability to put rats into play and the potential to make a token with each of your rats is invaluable.
9. Are there any cards that are banned in Commander that would affect a Rat Colony deck?
No, There are no cards banned in Commander that would directly affect the ability to use Rat Colony in a deck. Cards like Tinker, Mox Amber, and Sundering Titan are banned for other reasons not relevant to your rat deck.
10. How should I handle cards that remove multiple rats?
Cards like board wipes are dangerous for a rat strategy. Including cards that allow you to quickly replenish your rat army will be key to maintaining your pressure. Cards such as Crypt Rats and Damnation can take away from your strategy, be sure to plan accordingly.
11. Can I use non-black cards in my Rat Colony deck?
While Rat Colony is a black card, the color identity of your commander determines what cards you can include in your deck. If you are using a commander that allows for other colors you could use cards from different colors to further your strategy.
12. How do cards that interact with creature types work with Rat Colony?
Cards that interact with creature types, like “rats,” work well with Rat Colony. They can boost or benefit your rat army. Cards such as Cover of Darkness and Patriarch’s Bidding would help benefit your rats.
13. Is it worth running other creatures besides Rat Colony?
Yes, it is worth running other creatures besides Rat Colony. Cards such as Ravenous Rats and Sewer Rats can add early pressure and help with card advantage.
14. Can I play Wish cards to get more Rat Colony cards?
No, Wish cards are unable to fetch cards from outside the game in Commander. Therefore they will not be able to assist with getting you additional rat cards.
15. What are the most important elements of a Rat Colony deck?
The most important elements are a high count of Rat Colony cards, a suitable commander (like Marrow-Gnawer), card draw, mana ramp, board protection, and cards that enhance your rat army through buffs or token generation.
Conclusion
Rat Colony is a powerful and unique option for Commander players looking to build a distinctive deck. The ability to bypass the single-copy rule allows for a relentless swarm strategy that can overwhelm opponents. By understanding the specific rules and synergies involved, you can create a potent deck that dominates the battlefield. Enjoy the rat infestation and conquer your Commander games!