Typhoid Rats

Typhoid Rats was originally introduced in the Magic: The Gathering set Magic 2015, released in July 2014. The card serves as a classic example of a 'deathtouch' creature, a core mechanic that allows a small, low-cost unit to trade effectively against much larger and more powerful threats. Its inclusion in 'The List' represents a curated selection of cards from the game's long history that Wizards of the Coast occasionally inserts into modern booster packs, allowing players to pull reprints of older cards in a contemporary context.

The card's design features the artwork of Nils Hamm, who captures the skittering, plague-bearing aesthetic of the creature through a dark, muted color palette. The intent behind the design was to provide a functional and flavorful utility creature for black-aligned decks, emphasizing the danger of even the smallest vermin. It was received by the player base as a staple of limited formats, where its ability to stall an opponent's board presence made it a reliable choice for players prioritizing defensive resilience.