Best MTG rat cards for Commander and competitive play
Magic: The Gathering continues to expand its rat creature offerings with the March 2026 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universes Beyond crossover, introducing new rat-focused cards into both casual and competitive formats. The new set includes multiple iterations of iconic TMNT characters, notably Master Splinter and a new Rat King from TMNT lore, reinforcing rat creatures as a viable strategic approach in deck construction.
According to Scryfall data, Magic currently features 118 cards with the “rat” creature subtype, providing substantial options for players building rat-centric decks. While individual rat creatures may appear weak in isolation, strategic card synergies can transform a swarm of rats into a powerful force—a fundamental principle of Magic gameplay across multiple formats including Commander and competitive play.
The game’s rat creature type encompasses diverse in-universe species, including the humanoid Nezumi, a rat species native to the plane of Kamigawa. This variety allows deck builders to explore different mechanical themes and strategies across various playstyles.
The continued support for rat creatures, demonstrated by the TMNT crossover additions, reflects Wizards of the Coast’s commitment to maintaining viable options for niche creature types and archetypes. As Universes Beyond crossovers bring external intellectual properties into Magic, they simultaneously expand existing creature strategies while introducing new players to established card game mechanics.