Ichor Rats is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) When this creature enters, each player gets a poison counter.
Complete guide
Ichor Rats is a classic tool for any deck focused on spreading the glistening oil of New Phyrexia. This creature doesn't just wait for combat to start the clock; it ensures every player in the game begins their descent toward defeat the moment it hits the battlefield.
Spreading the Infection
Ichor Rats possesses two distinct ways to interact with poison. First, it has the Infect keyword, meaning any damage it deals is processed as -1/-1 counters on creatures or poison counters on players. Second, it has a triggered ability that occurs when it enters the battlefield, giving every single player (including you!) one poison counter. This makes it an excellent 'enabler' to ensure opponents have at least one counter so you can begin utilizing Proliferate mechanics.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When you cast Ichor Rats and it successfully enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. When the ability resolves, every player currently in the game receives one poison counter simultaneously. Because this is an 'enters' ability and not damage, it cannot be prevented by effects that only stop damage. However, if this ability causes all remaining players to reach ten poison counters at the exact same time, the game ends in a draw.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that Ichor Rats affects the controller as well. You will receive a poison counter, which could be dangerous if you are already close to ten. Additionally, players often confuse the triggered ability with Infect damage; while the result (a poison counter) is the same, the 'enters' ability does not count as dealing damage, so it won't trigger 'whenever a creature deals damage' effects.
When to Play It
Ichor Rats is most effective in decks that need a guaranteed way to start the poison clock. Since many cards require a player to already have a counter before they can be Proliferated, the Rats serve as a reliable primer. It is also a solid blocker against larger creatures, as its Infect keyword ensures that even if it dies, it leaves behind permanent -1/-1 counters that weaken the attacker.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Rat' chosen as the creature type, Ichor Rats entering will trigger twice. Each player will receive two poison counters instead of one, significantly accelerating the game clock.
Solemn SimulacrumIf Ichor Rats blocks Solemn Simulacrum, it deals 2 damage in the form of two -1/-1 counters. Solemn Simulacrum becomes a 0/0 creature and is put into the graveyard. Because these are counters and not standard damage, the reduction in power and toughness is permanent as long as the Golem remains on the battlefield.
Poison CounterIf an opponent already has nine Poison Counters, casting Ichor Rats is a lethal move. The triggered ability will grant them their tenth counter upon resolution, and they will lose the game as a state-based action immediately after.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Ichor Rats
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
Card named in this ruling
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Infect's effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They're not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
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.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
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.
Card named in this ruling
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
If Ichor Rats's last ability causes each player to have ten poison counters, the game is a draw.
Card named in this ruling
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Meta decks with Ichor Rats
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.