This deck was originally put together by a user called Art, in MTGvault.com but he's taken it down, and I've since modified it as some cards just didn't work as well he or I wished (I now know why he took it down, lol!) However, it's beginning to work a little better but still needs a lot of work. The idea behind it, is to add some consistency to what it was before, and help preserve the Pack Rat as he is the center of the deck. Oh and it's primary targets...weenies. I hate weenie decks (but this is one, kind of.) I'm also trying to keep this somewhat budget.
1 Drops-
Drainpipe Vermin
is a weenie, a really weak worthless little guy at first. However, that tap to discard is more useful than you'd think against some decks. He's here because he's a one drop, that can block other weenies buying time and if he survives (don't count on it) becomes a nuisance to your opponent; fitting.
2 Drops
Pack Rat This is my favorite card and the champion of the deck. Once your at three mana, you can sigh in relief if you're not getting draws worth playing. Just keep making more pack rats Oh you drew a second Whip of Erebos? Pack Rat Ultimate Price against dual types? Pack Rat
Gutter Skulk
His purpose is obvious, if you're stuck at two mana, play him to beef Pack Rat and have another two power to swing with. Pus, he can always block more weenies. If you're at three, use him to make another Pack Rat
Ultimate Price Use it as a discard or use it to keep mono-colored creatures away from your Pack Rat.
Crypsis
This has come in handy more than I thought it would. You can obviously, replace this with a counter spell like
Annul
or Dimir Charm but sometimes protection from creatures is all you need. Then of course discard it for another Pack Rat if you don't need it.
Divination Discard it for a Pack Rat or to try and get one if you don't have one to clone; pretty obvious here.
Dimir Charm This one is iffy and is candidate for replacement. Due to it only being able to counter sorcery BUT, most destroy all creature cards are sorcery.
Psychic Strike
may replace this but it's a three drop. :( you can make your opponent screw your opponent's draw, or kill some weenies early on before they get pumped up. Then of course, clone the Pack Rat
Devour Flesh Many have disagreements with this card in here as well. Here is where I say nay. The obvious first use is to discard it for another pack rat. However the primary use I have had for it was creature removal. Sure, it give your opponent's life however it won't matter in many cases. Unless you're going against a no creatures deck, getting rid of their source of damage can turn the tides of the game. Remember you need to protect that Pack Rat at all costs to buy you time to populate.
3 Drops
Agent of the Fates He's not a rat, but this guy has his use. He's a three drop (2 black, 1 colorless) with death touch. Watch your opponent scurry to get rid of him, forcing them to use that one destroy creature or counter spell on him. Possibly buying you a little time if you need it. If you need a little life, drop a Devour Flesh on him and make your opponent sacrifice one of their creatures. Or, discard him of course.
Hero's Downfall It effect pretty much speaks for itself. You could discard it but most of the time you're not going to use it for that. Remove some creatures, or that annoying planeswalker.
Quag Sickness
Mostly used for weenie removal, most useful against Minotaurs early on. Then of course discard it for another clone.
Drown in Sorrow Is more an emergency remove the weenies card to buy time. Discard for the clone effect is an obvious. However this card can be a game changer with or without a whip as all the two toughness weenies which can buy you that extra turn or two. The downside is, you better hope you have the cards to make those turns count because you'll likely lose your rats and agents.
4 Drop
Whip of Erebos Give your creatures some lifelink and mend those wounds. This can turn the tides of the game and watch the butthurt when you have the mana to bring that Pack Rat back with haste, along with another clone. A scenario that's costly but if you can do it, why not?
5 DropOgre Slumlord I've only put in three of these and may even remove one more. I find myself drawing these two early and mostly end up discarding them for another Pack Rat but there have been scenarios where he's won the game for me, even drawing him early and holding him. He gives all those rats deathtouch and he can populate more. The only non-rat you may have on the battlefield already has deathtouch. A not so strong guy making your weenies pretty terrifying.
Sideboard
Annul
Counter that Detention Sphere or that annoying artifact.
Contaminated Ground another two drop that you can either discard or if you're going against non-black, give them a swamp and take some life. If their black, take some life.
Deviant Glee A one drop enchantment that can boost a creature if need, Agent of the Fates maybe? Or another discard for a clone.
Drown in Sorrow Because against weenie decks this is so useful......nom nom nom.
Erebos, God of the Dead This is your best friend against those life gain decks. You can also use him for extra draws. He's indestructible. You may want to add one more to the sideboard, actually.
Gray Merchant of Asphodel Oh Gary....I don't need to speak for you. Everyone know how you do dawg. But seriously, he's expensive but his effect, since all your creatures are black is just tits.
