A friend traded me a Marrow-Gnawer and I figured it would be a good time to make a rat deck. Obviously, it would be best to have 4 of that card in the deck but I want to make it as budget as possible. The idea is to tutor him out with the good old Diabolic Tutor. If I want I could also throw in Gray Merchant of Asphodel to win if I wanted to. I feel Bontu's Monument, though not fantastic, will help out a bit for some of the higher casting creatures. Most of the other cards are obvious for the deck. Either they are 1. Rats. Or 2. Help me make rats/buff my rats. The Dark Ritual is in their mainly if I need to get some fast mana or maybe have a lucky turn 1. There are some better cards that could go in this like a possible Locust Miser, Ratcatcher, Vanquisher's Banner, or the obvious Relentless Rats. Most of those are too expensive or I prefer what I have at the moment. I am trying to make this as budget as possible.
1v1 Record: 9-2
Multi: 6-5
After testing the deck, some comments:
Bontu's Monument: An amazing card in the deck. The cost reduction is very helpful even for some of the lower cost creatures. Then the gain a life they lose a life addition is great. Almost enough to win a game by itself. I will be throwing another in the deck once I dismantle my other deck that has it in there. Will most likely take out a Dark Ritual for it.
Marrow-Gnawer: Obviously the best card. Chances are people will scoop unless they have a way to respond to it. Should be 4 in the deck but I will mention that in my next comment.
Diabolic Tutor: A great card since I only have one Marrow-Gnawer. But if someone wants to make this slightly less budget they could throw 4 of them in the deck and most likely get rid of the tutor. Though I would suggest keeping two in for unlucky draws.
Gray Merchant of Asphodel: Like all black decks, this card is great for obvious reasons. Goes very well with Pack Rat's ability and the many other black creatures in the deck.
A thought on lands: This deck has slightly more lands than average. Taking one or two out is fine. If you do, I suggest that Bontu's Monument replaces it. Making sure you have enough mana for Marrow-Gnawer as soon as possible is most important.
Currently needs to another Typhoid Rats and have it be replaced with a Ruin Rat.
