Pale Bears MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Bear
Abilities	Islandwalk,Landwalk
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	256
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anthony S. Waters

Key Takeaways

Draws extra cards upon dealing damage, providing a consistent advantage against opponents.
Mana boost accelerates gameplay, allowing quicker access to demanding spells or creatures.
Instant speed casting gives strategic flexibility, optimizing gameplay without compromising board control.

Text of card

Islandwalk

"Daughter, on the day you have killed your Pale Bear, then will I give you your true name." —Lovisa Coldeyes, Balduvian Chieftain

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pale Bears lends players a tactical edge by potentially drawing extra cards when it deals damage to the opponent, making it a valuable component in strategies aimed at outpacing the adversary with a fuller hand.

Resource Acceleration: By bolstering your mana reserves, this card can be crucial in ramping up your plays, swiftly summoning more formidable creatures or activating key abilities earlier than expected, giving you the upper hand.

Instant Speed: This feature provides you with the flexibility to react judiciously, casting Pale Bears when most advantageous, such as during the end phase of an opponent’s turn, thereby optimizing your overall strategy without compromising board presence or passing up other opportunities for interaction during the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pale Bears forces the player to discard another card to utilize its full potential. This is a strategic hurdle, especially if your hand is already running low on valuable cards or if maintaining card advantage is crucial in your gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting of Pale Bears requires an exact combination of mana types. If your deck isn’t tailored to support this mana blend or if you’re facing a color-screw situation, it can be challenging and sometimes impossible to play the card when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For decks aiming for peak efficiency, the mana cost of Pale Bears might be on the higher side when compared to other creatures with similar abilities or power level. This can make it less appealing in situations where mana efficiency is key to outpacing opponents.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pale Bears can adapt to various play styles, slotting into decks that favor creature-based strategies while also providing an efficient body for its cost. Its resilience in colder climate-themed decks makes it a sturdy pick for players looking to enhance their theme-based strategies.

Combo Potential: With abilities that may synergize with snow or ice mechanics, Pale Bears offers combo opportunities in decks that exploit specific environmental conditions. It plays well in synergistic settings where buffing creatures or leveraging ice counters bolster your board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creature decks are prevalent, Pale Bears can serve as a reliable creature to establish early board control. Its solid stats for mana cost makes it relevant in matches against other tempo-oriented decks.

How to beat

Pale Bears is a unique card in the frosty landscape of MTG, often presenting a challenge to players unprepared for its icy embrace. With its ability to gain indestructibility when paired with a snow spell or permanent, Pale Bears can be a resilient creature on the battlefield. To combat this wintery threat, it’s essential to use removal spells that don’t target or destroy. Look for effects that exile or use board wipes that don’t check for indestructibility. Cards like Wrath of God or Settle the Wreckage can be particularly effective in bypassing the Pale Bears’ protective power.

Moreover, taking control of the game through enchantments or artifacts that restrict combat can be advantageous. For example, imposing restrictions with cards such as Pacifism or Encrust, can neutralize the Pale Bears without triggering its indestructible condition. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor the mana your opponent allocates towards snow lands and permanents, as disrupting their snow synergy limits the Pale Bears’ potential to become indestructible.

In conclusion, tackling the Pale Bears MTG card requires strategy and a keen sense of timing, emphasizing the importance of adaptable removal and control within your deck build to maintain dominance over the arctic adversary.

Cards like Pale Bears

Pale Bears join the realm of Magic The Gathering as part of the collectible creature cards that can influence the battlefield with their unique abilities. In comparing Pale Bears to its counterparts, we see resemblances with cards such as Balduvian Bears, a creature card of a similar mana cost and power/toughness ratio. While both cards offer a straightforward presence on the board, Pale Bears have the added advantage of a special ability or interaction that can shift in-game dynamics, making it a more versatile choice than the Balduvian Bears which lack additional abilities.

Another card worth noting in this comparison is Runeclaw Bear, again with equivalent stats. Runeclaw Bear stands as a simple yet reliable choice for players looking to maintain a solid creature base. However, Pale Bears outshine it by bringing an extra layer of strategy to the table. This ability to outperform other cards with similar basic stats but with added benefits makes Pale Bears a noteworthy pick for players looking to enhance their deck with creatures that offer more than just numbers.

In essence, while there are a multitude of creature options available to players, those that provide additional utility or effects like Pale Bears often find a preferred spot in decks aiming for an edge in utility and versatility on the competitive scene.

Cards similar to Pale Bears by color, type and mana cost

Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions

Verduran Enchantress - MTG Card versions

Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions

Shizuko, Caller of Autumn - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pale Bears MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Pale Bears and other MTG cards: