Forest Bear MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bear |
| Released | 1999-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal Three Kingdoms |
| Set code | PTK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 135 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | White |
| Illustred by | Wang Yuqun |
Cards like Forest Bear
The Forest Bear from MTG presents a basic yet reliable creature card with a presence in green decks. Its similarities align closely with Grizzly Bears, an iconic creature card offering the same mana cost and stats. Both carry a simple 2/2 body for two mana, fitting comfortably into the curve of many decks that prioritize early field presence.
Comparing it further, Balduvian Bears also mirrors the Forest Bear in terms of cost and power. However, Forest Bear often is chosen for thematic deck builds, particularly those that resonate with nature and wildlife themes. Albino Bear is another similar card with the same stats, but it comes with a unique flavor that might appeal to a distinct player base. While these bears share the efficiency of being cost-effective creatures, the choice between them often boils down to personal preference and deck theme rather than strategic advantage.
Identifying the perfect bear for your deck involves analyzing your strategy and theme. The Forest Bear slots in effortlessly for those seeking a basic, no-frills addition to their creature lineup while tapping into the aesthetics of a woodland army.
Cards similar to Forest Bear by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Forest Bear’s entry into the battlefield, its ability to potentially draw a card when a Forest is tapped keeps your hand replenished, ensuring you won’t fall behind in the match.
Resource Acceleration: This creature could play a key role in ramping up your mana reserves. By utilizing Forests for more than just mana, it helps accelerate your resources and enable powerful plays earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: Forest Bear might not be an instant itself, but it pairs well with cards that you can play at instant speed. Its synergy with the land, especially if you can untap a Forest on your opponent’s turn, can be unexpected and potent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing the Forest Bear card comes with the stipulation that you must discard another card. When cards are at a premium, losing a potential resource could put you at a strategic disadvantage, hindering your ability to respond to the evolving battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning the Forest Bear necessitates a specific combination of green mana. This requirement can present a challenge in multi-colored decks where mana diversity is crucial, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-green or heavily green-focused builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost for a Forest Bear might be seen as excessive when compared to other creatures with similar stats or abilities. Savvy players often seek out creatures that offer a more optimal balance of impact to mana expenditure, making it essential to evaluate the opportunity cost of including this card in your deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Forest Bear is a solid creature that can seamlessly adapt to a multitude of deck styles. Its natural habitat in green decks makes it a reliable inclusion for strategies emphasizing creature growth and board presence.
Combo Potential: With Forest Bear, you unlock several combos thanks to its creature type and abilities. It can partner with cards that favor bears or forest-related synergies, enhancing your strategy and amplifying its effects on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts towards creature-based tactics or decks that value cost-efficient creatures, Forest Bear stands out. Its presence in a deck can counter these common strategies, making it a tactical inclusion against prevalent decks in the current gaming landscape.
How to beat
The Forest Bear is a creature card many players might overlook at first glance. However, in the realm of creature dynamics, underrating the simplicity of this card could be a misstep. Its presence on the field, often in decks that emphasize on green’s innate connection to nature and creature strength, hints at a strategy that favors prosperous creature development.
To counter Forest Bear effectively, you’ll want to consider cards that neutralize creature advantages or that can bypass creature-based defenses. Spot removal spells are an efficient way to handle individual creatures. Options include Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization, offering swift and budget-friendly solutions to remove threats like Forest Bear. Board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playing field if you’re facing multiple creatures. Ensnaring creature abilities and using cards with deathtouch, such as Typhoid Rats, can also halt the Bear’s utility in combat.
Strategically, keeping the Bear from providing value for too long is key. By understanding the ebb and flow of creature-based strategies, employing both reactive and preventive measures in your gameplay, you’ll minimize the impact of cards like Forest Bear and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forest Bear MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Forest Bear and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forest Bear has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |