I know this question came up years ago. But the other thread has not a real answer or is simply outdated.
So, am I allwoed to play more than one copy of Relentless Rats in Highlander?
Rules:
Quote103.1. Whenever a card's text directly contradicts these rules, the card takes precedence. The card overrides only the rule that applies to that specific situation. The only exception is that a player can concede the game at any time (see rule 102.3a).
Quote402.8i. An ability that modifies the rules for deck construction functions before the game begins. Such an ability modifies not just the Comprehensive Rules, but also the Magic: The Gathering DCI Floor Rules and any other documents that set the deck construction rules for a specific Constructed format. However, such an ability can't affect the format legality of a card, including whether it's banned or restricted. The current Magic: The Gathering DCI Floor Rules can be found at http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/Events....doccenter/home.
Yes. You are allowed. In general, card text overwrites rules text (as you stated).
When has this changed? I might just remember poorly but I think that at least some years ago the highlander-rule affected the Rats also. I don't really remember how this works in singleton.
Quote from: so notWhen has this changed? I might just remember poorly but I think
that at least some years ago the highlander-rule affected the Rats also. I
don't really remember how this works in singleton.
You remember it right.
Relentless Rats had previously an additional ruling in Gatherer that said:
"12/1/2004 This card's text does not override other format-imposed
restrictions on the number of cards. For example, in a Highlander format, you
would still only be allowed one Relentless Rat."
Inspecting http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205082
I can see that ruling has now been removed.
When it has been removed, I don't know, but I guess one can dig out that info
from http://yawgatog.com/resources/. Either by checking "Comprehensive Rules
Changes from Set to Set" or by checking "Oracle Changes from Set to Set". It
should be covered in one or another.
In singleton on MTGO one is allowed to play with any number of Relentless
Rats. E.g. see screenshots at http://puremtgo.com/articles/commander-johnny-boosh-thrumming-it-marrow-gnawer
And since comprehensice rules now state that Relentless Rats (and Shadowborn
Apostle) card text overrides the format rules, it's allowed in HL.
I'll add a clarification of this to highlandermagic.info/de.
Better late than never: Notion about Relentless Rats forming an exception (alongside Shadowborn Apostle) to one-of-each-card has been added to highlandermagic.info
And Relentless Rats has been legal in singleton formats since the beginning of 2009.
See here: http://archive.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/23c&page=5 (rule 402.8i)
And here: http://www.yawgatog.com/resources/rules-changes/ala-conflux/?id=13