Owlbear MTG Card


Owlbear grants card advantage on entry, bolstering hand size and pressuring opponents with immediate impact plays. Its board presence advances with a significant creature body, maintaining hand resources for sustained momentum. Despite a hefty mana cost, its ability to draw cards makes Owlbear a competitive addition to green decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird Bear
Abilities Trample
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Trample Keen Senses — When Owlbear enters the battlefield, draw a card.


Cards like Owlbear

The Owlbear card offers MTG players a unique combination of attributes that warrant a comparison with other creatures in the gaming landscape. Similar creatures in terms of mana cost and combat abilities include Leatherback Baloth, a green creature card known for its substantial power and toughness without any additional abilities. Owlbear, with its keen sight ability that grants card draw upon dealing damage, presents a distinct advantage for players seeking both board presence and card advantage.

Another worthy comparison is with the card Loxodon Smiter, which also offers a significant power and toughness for its mana value. While Loxodon Smiter excels in combat with its cannot be countered clause and lack of drawbacks for its size, Owlbear adds an extra layer of utility through its card draw potential, making gameplay more dynamic. Furthermore, Thragtusk is a creature often considered in such discussions for its ability to leave behind value after entering or leaving the battlefield, although it doesn’t naturally provide card draw like Owlbear does.

Evaluating these creatures, it’s clear that Owlbear stands out for those players who value the synergy of resource generation along with reliable creature performance. Its role can be pivotal in decks that prioritize consistent advantage over sheer power or resilience.

Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Smiter - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Smiter - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Owlbear by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
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Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
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Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
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Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
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Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Owlbear. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Temur CascadeTemur Cascade Pauper12^ tappa | Lega Pauper Mediavalle e Garfagnana 2023/24 - Road to Paupergeddon Pisa
Gruul RampGruul Ramp PauperGruul MidrangeBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Owlbear card presents a compelling boost in card advantage by letting you draw a card upon entering the battlefield. This mechanic can shift the tide of a game by replenishing your hand and keeping the pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Especially in a green-based deck known for its love of big creatures, the Owlbear can act as a solid play by advancing your board presence with a substantial creature while not depleting your hand resources, keeping the momentum in your favor.

Instant Speed: While the Owlbear itself may not be an instant, it synergizes well with decks that have instant speed spells. Its immediate impact on the board can draw out your opponent’s answers, thereby clearing the way for your instants to resolve without interference during the later stages of a turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Harnessing the might of the Owlbear in your deck can be a double-edged sword since it requires discarding a card from your hand. This could put you at a disadvantage, particularly when your hand is already depleting and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning the Owlbear demands a precise blend of mana, which can potentially restrict its inclusion to decks that can consistently generate the necessary colors. This may reduce its overall versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating resources to cast the Owlbear comes with a hefty mana investment when compared to other creatures in the ecosystem. While its presence on the battlefield is undeniable, players must weigh if the cost aligns with their strategy and if there might be more mana-efficient creatures available for their deck’s curve.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Owlbear is a remarkable creature card that can seamlessly adapt to various green deck builds, particularly those enhancing creature-based strategies with its substantial power and toughness.

Combo Potential: Its ability to draw a card when it deals combat damage creates synergies with effects that reward card draw or combat damage triggers, amplifying its strategic value on the board.

Meta-Relevance: Given its cost-efficiency and the card draw it provides, Owlbear can be a key player in green decks looking to stay competitive within the current meta, which often values creatures with immediate board impact and card advantage.


How to beat

Confronting an Owlbear on the battlefield in MTG can be a daunting task given its formidable combination of power and toughness. This creature’s robust stats make it a notable presence that demands an immediate answer. Players facing this behemoth should ideally have removal spells ready in their arsenal. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are primed to efficiently deal with such threats directly, bypassing the need to engage in combat where the Owlbear might have an advantage.

Alternatively, utilizing counter-magic is a strategic pathway to preventing an Owlbear from ever clawing its way onto the field. Spells like Counterspell or Essence Scatter are excellent tools for keeping creatures like the Owlbear at bay. For those who prefer to deal with creatures once on the battlefield, enchantments that pacify or lock down creatures, such as Pacifism or Ice Cage, can neutralize the threat without requiring hefty mana investments.

In terms of defensive strategies, having creatures with high toughness or those that can generate chump blockers each turn can hinder the Owlbear’s ability to make a significant impact. By combining smart defensive plays and keeping potent removal at the ready, players can contain and overcome the raw power of the Owlbear, ensuring it’s more of a minor nuisance rather than a game-ending threat.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the tactical landscape of MTG means constantly learning and adapting your strategies. The Owlbear card exemplifies this with its card advantage and board presence, challenging players to integrate it effectively into their game plans. While aware of its mana constraints and the balancing act of its discard requirement, its potential to swing games can’t be overlooked. Whether you’re building a new deck or refining an existing one, considering the Owlbear’s strengths and the current meta is crucial. For more insights and to refine your skills further, step into our realm to evolve your gameplay and harness the true potential of your collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Owlbear MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Owlbear and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Owlbear Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3312015NormalBlackPedro Potier
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1982015NormalBlackIlse Gort
32022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 2182015NormalBlackIlse Gort

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Owlbear has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal