Bear's Companion MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 167
2019-11-07 - Number 1397
2022-07-08 - Number 182
2020-09-26 - Number KTK-167
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Bear's Companion enters the battlefield, put a 4/4 green Bear creature token onto the battlefield.
"The Sultai came hunting for a bear hide. Now I have a belt of naga skin, and my friend has a full belly."
Cards like Bear's Companion
Bear’s Companion is a notable creature card within Magic: The Gathering that builds a formidable presence on the battlefield. When assessing comparable cards, Savage Ventmaw emerges as a creature bearing similarity due to its tricolor aspect and the advantage of adding mana to your pool — though it lacks the additional creature token aspect. Similarly, Woolly Thoctar offers a competitive mana-cost-to-stats ratio yet does not provide the tactical versatility of creating a token like Bear’s Companion does upon entering the battlefield. Another card that draws parallels is Broodmate Dragon, which also gives a flying creature token when it enters the battlefield providing not just one but two powerful creatures. However, Bear’s Companion comes at a lower cost, positioning it as a more accessible alternative.
While each card has unique merits, Bear’s Companion stands out for its immediate board impact by introducing an additional creature token that can be used defensively or offensively. Things like the mana color flexibility and the additional bear token make Bear’s Companion a card to consider in decks that aim to maximize creature presence and capitalizing on enter-the-battlefield effects.
Cards similar to Bear's Companion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bear’s Companion delivers added value by providing a 4/4 Bear token upon entering the battlefield. This effectively gives you two creatures for the cost of one card, potentially doubling your on-board presence and strategy options.
Resource Acceleration: While Bear’s Companion itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it does fit well within Temur decks that are designed to ramp. Casting this card early with accelerated mana resources can be a huge swing in board state and puts immediate pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Bear’s Companion is a creature that doesn’t have flash, its affiliated colors allow for deck synergies with instants. Cards in your deck with instant speed enhance the Companion’s effectiveness by providing flexibility and allowing you to respond to threats immediately – all while setting up for this substantial play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This card doesn’t directly make you discard cards, but being part of a deck that features Bear’s Companion often means you have to manage your hand carefully to accommodate its tri-color demands.
Specific Mana Cost: Bear’s Companion requires a mix of Temur colors (green, blue, and red) to be cast, which can be restrictive and forces deck builders to work within a specific color combination.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three that are color-specific, Bear’s Companion sits at a higher mana curve, potentially slowing down your game plan against decks that favor lower-cost creatures and faster strategies.
Reasons to Include Bear’s Companion in Your Collection
Versatility: Bear’s Companion is adaptable across numerous deck archetypes given its ability to simultaneously offer a respectable creature and produce a 4/4 bear token. This additional creature can be crucial for strategies requiring a strong board presence.
Combo Potential: The bear token generated by Bear’s Companion can serve as an integral part of synergies involving creature count, token proliferation, or power-based triggers. Its presence enhances build-around concepts within the Temur colors.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Bear’s Companion provides a substantial swing in board state for mid-range decks. Its ability to put multiple bodies on the field is particularly noteworthy in metas dominated by single-target removal.
How to beat
The Bear’s Companion is a creature card that can be quite the formidable opponent on the battlefield, but with the right strategy, it can be managed effectively. This card distinguishes itself by creating a 4/4 green Bear creature token whenever it enters the battlefield. To counter this, one efficient way is to implement removal spells that can target either the Bear token or Bear’s Companion itself before it can exert its influence on the game. Cards with unconditional removal like Path to Exile or Murder can be especially useful, as they don’t discriminate based on power, toughness, or other characteristics.
Another strategy is to prevent the Bear’s Companion from being cast in the first place. Using counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak could disrupt your opponent’s strategy early on and keep the Companion from making an impact. It’s important to manage your resources wisely and consider the board state before the Companion and its accompanying Bear token can shift the balance. Look for opportunities to trade efficiently or use sweepers to clear multiple threats at once; this will help maintain control of the game.
Overall, understanding and preparing for the potential threats that Bear’s Companion brings to the table is crucial. Keep your answers ready, and you’ll be able to preserve your advantage and take the win.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bear's Companion MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Bear's Companion and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Bear's Companion Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1397 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KTK-167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | ||
| 4 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 182 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bear's Companion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |