The Black Death (Rats)

[el-remmen]

So last night while looking through a box of cards I hardly ever go into to find some cards a friend was asking about, I kept coming across rats, so I figured what the heck and put together a deck real quick. I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet (hope to do so tonight).

All the rats lists are the only ones I have, and obviously some are better than others, but they all count as rats for the purpose of pumping up the rats that get bigger depending on the # of rats in play.

I included pestilence for the sake of theme and do some indiscriminate damage when I need to get rid of a creature I can't terror, or to finish off my opponent if I get him low enough on life - but I can probably do with just 2 of those in the deck instead of three.

The Unholy Strengths are just place holders until I think of something better, and the Sol Ring and the Dark Rituals are there for lots of fast mana to get as many Rats out early as possible. The Choking Sands and Hymns are there to slow down the opponent's prpgress in building up his own creatures and spells.

I would put in four Terrors instead of 2, but I guess I only own 6 because I have 4 in another deck currently.

The Zuran is just one of those cards I put in almost every deck because it is too useful.

Right now this deck is very vulnerable to flying.

Land
Swamp x20

Spells
Bone Harvest x2
Choking Sands x3
Dark Ritual x4
Hymn to Tourach x3
Pestilence x3
Terror x2
Unholy Strength x3

Creatures
Bog Rats x4
Crypt Rats x4
Pestilence Rats x3
Plague Rats x4
Sewer Rats x2

Artifacts
Throne of Bone x1
Sol Ring x1
Zuran Orb x1


So, ideas? Suggestions?

 

[WhatGravitas]

Still 7th or earlier? Because I really like the Relentless Rats, it's just a neat idea.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Asmo]

deleted

 

[Asmo]

You need more rats! My suggestion is lots of Relentless Rats.
3 Choking Sands feels kind of random, why not 4 Wastelands and 1 Strip Mine?
4 Hymns are better than 3, so try to get one extra. If you going with disruption, why not include some Duress?
I would also replace Bone Harvest with Bad Moon.
I would skip the lone Throne of Bone, it´s to random. The same with Zuran Orb, and I don´t think it fits with the theme, you are the agressor.

Something like this:

18 swamp
4 Wasteland
1 Strip Mine

22 Relentless Rats
4 Dark Rituals
1 Sol Ring
2 Bad Moon
4 Hymns
2 Duress
2 Nevinyrrals Disk (against Cop:black, etc)


Asmo

 

[Aus_Snow]

Some draw would be very nice here, like Necropotence or something similar, whatever that might be nowadays. Kids these days. . .

More rats, definitely. Bad Moon, also agreed, if you have them of course. Swarm of Rats is still the old style look, if you get the Portal ones.

If you're doing Hymn to Tourach (and why not, indeed) may as well chuck in a Mind Twist. It can be fun if that one card comes up.

For mono-black, I really like Corrupt and co. Particularly with said Necropotence, or similarly painful turbo draw.

 

[el-remmen]

Thanks for all the replies.

Relentless Rats? It breaks the rules of # of cards per deck. . . I guess that is exception-based rules for ya! But yeah, doesn't fit the look.

I will try to get my hands on more rats (or other kinds) from a friend.

I do not own any Bad Moons or Wastelands.

Yeah, the Choking Sands could be traded out. Thematically I was thinking of a land made barren by swarms of devouring rats.

Necropotence, huh? Normally, I use that in black/white decks with Island Sanctuary.

I need to look up and see what Duress is. I never heard of it.

 

[Asmo]

Kamigawa block had some really nice rat ninjas like Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oniand Okiba-Gang Shinobi. Some cool rat rogues like Nezumi Shortfang, Marrow-Gnawer and Nezumi Graverobber is worth checking out.
There´s also some nice rat shamans, warriors and samurai to choose from.

Asmo

Duress

 

[Runestar]

Definitely needs more creatures. I am thinking that you should aim for 22-24 creatures, and fewer spells.

Your artifacts, while generally useful, don't really contribute much to the deck. Life gain is sub-par in a deck not designed to take advantage of it (since the game typically makes no distinction as to whether you are at full hp or 1 life), Nor does your deck have spells requiring 2 colourless mana, so sol ring seems more of a liability.

Creature enhancements are generally not recommended as well because of the issue of card-advantage (your opponent can use 1 card to get rid of 2 of yours). You may want more disruption, in the form of discard cards like duress, coercion, hymm and ravenous rats.

 

[Asmo]

Perhaps not the most casual card printed, but Æther Vial would be awesome in this deck with Relentless Rats. A truly sick card.

Asmo

 

[WhatGravitas]

Necropotence, huh? Normally, I use that in black/white decks with Island Sanctuary.

Also a nice option for more drawing is the Phyrexian Arena, though Necropotence is usually superior.

Cheers, LT.