Bear's Companion MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Bear’s Companion provides a significant board presence by adding a bear token on entry.
  2. The card fits best in Temur decks, greatly benefiting from ramp strategies.
  3. Instant-speed cards in the deck can bolster the Companion’s on-board effectiveness.

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."


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.


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.

Savage Ventmaw - MTG Card versions
Woolly Thoctar - MTG Card versions
Broodmate Dragon - MTG Card versions
Savage Ventmaw - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Woolly Thoctar - Wizards Play Network 2008 (PWPN)
Broodmate Dragon - Resale Promos (PRES)

Cards similar to Bear's Companion by color, type and mana cost

Illuna, Apex of Wishes - MTG Card versions
Riku of Two Reflections - MTG Card versions
Avalanche Tusker - MTG Card versions
Surrak Dragonclaw - MTG Card versions
Xyris, the Writhing Storm - MTG Card versions
Borborygmos and Fblthp - MTG Card versions
Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy - MTG Card versions
Me, the Immortal - MTG Card versions
Illuna, Apex of Wishes - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Riku of Two Reflections - Double Masters (2XM)
Avalanche Tusker - Khans of Tarkir Promos (PKTK)
Surrak Dragonclaw - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Xyris, the Writhing Storm - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Borborygmos and Fblthp - March of the Machine (MOM)
Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Me, the Immortal - Doctor Who (WHO)

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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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.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 1672015normalblackWinona Nelson
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 13972015normalblackWinona Nelson
32020-09-26The ListPLST KTK-1672015normalblackWinona Nelson
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 1822015normalblackWinona Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bear's Companion has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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