Razorclaw Bear MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Bear
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	142
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage and resource acceleration by drawing cards and boosting mana when it attacks.
Instant speed summoning provides strategic flexibility and surprise tactics against opponents.
Mana cost specificity and discard requirement may limit deck integration and strategic options.

Text of card

If Razorclaw Bear attacks and is blocked, it gets +2/+2 until the end of the turn.

One razorclaw is three bears too many. —Elvish saying

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Razorclaw Bear provides an edge by enabling you to potentially draw a card whenever it attacks, ensuring that your hand remains full and your options varied.

Resource Acceleration: This bear, with its formidable presence on the battlefield, can serve as an engine for resource acceleration, allowing you to ramp up your mana and put pressure on the opponent.

Instant Speed: With its ability to be summoned at instant speed under certain conditions, the Razorclaw Bear offers flexibility and surprise, catching unprepared opponents off guard and tipping the scales of the match in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Razorclaw Bear comes with the stipulation of discarding a card to activate certain abilities. For deck strategies that thrive on maintaining a full hand, this can pose a problem, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a casting cost that requires a specific color combination of green and another, the card might not seamlessly fit into all deck types. For players not running a deck that can reliably produce both types of mana, Razorclaw Bear might not be the most optimal choice.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side for its stat line and abilities, Razorclaw Bear might be less attractive compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Players might find other creatures or spells that offer more impact on the game at a similar or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Razorclaw Bear Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Razorclaw Bear is a multifaceted card that can adapt to various deck archetypes. This creature works well in both aggressive beatdown decks and those needing solid defense, providing valuable flexibility in deck-building.

Combo Potential: Within the green archetype, this card can synergize with numerous buffs and spells. Its creature type also allows it to be easily incorporated into tribal strategies, unlocking several avenues for combo exploitation.

Meta-Relevance: As the shifting landscapes of local and competitive metas demand adaptable solutions, Razorclaw Bear can offer tactical advantages against commonly played deck archetypes, making it a worthwhile addition to stay competitive.

How to beat

Razorclaw Bear weaves itself into the strategic fabric of creature-centric decks with its potent mix of combat abilities. Often compared with other midrange creatures, this bear stands out due to its prowess in dealing with both offense and defense. Yet, to outmaneuver this formidable adversary, it’s essential to recognize its weaknesses. Board control spells like Wrath of God can clear the path by sweeping all creatures off the board. Spot removal spells, such as Path to Exile, also prove effective since they can handle the bear before it causes any severe damage.

Flight is another answer. Flyers naturally evade ground blockers, which Razorclaw Bear exemplifies, enabling aerial attacks that bypass its defensive capabilities. Finally, leveraging card advantage through spells that draw cards or through recurring creature threats can outpace the one-for-one nature of creature combat, eventually overwhelming the bear’s singular presence on the board.

In essence, mastering the rhythm of play and employing strategies that exploit Razorclaw Bear’s limitations can turn the tides of battle in your favor. Magic: The Gathering is a game of wits, where knowing how to counter your opponent’s threats can lead to victory.

Cards like Razorclaw Bear

Razorclaw Bear is a notable creature in Magic: The Gathering. It shines when drawing comparisons to other creatures in its class, with its straightforward power enhancement for an attacking bear. In the realm of similar creatures, we find the likes of Grizzly Bears, a classic card, offering a no-frills 2/2 creature for a cost-effective two mana. While Grizzly Bears provides a steady baseline, Razorclaw Bear pushes the envelope by empowering other attacking bears you control.

Broadening our comparison, Striped Bears draws a card upon entering the battlefield, giving immediate value, albeit without the synergistic buff to fellow bears. Ashcoat Bear stands out with flash, allowing you to surprise opponents with an instant creature play. However, neither carries the combat improvement that makes Razorclaw Bear a go-to choice in a bear-themed deck.

Considering the bigger picture, Razorclaw Bear earns its stripes by bolstering an aggressive bear strategy, elevating it from the basic functionality of Grizzly Bears and the singular benefits of Striped Bears and Ashcoat Bear. Its unique ability to galvanize fellow bears renders it a critical card for players looking to claw their way to victory with a ursine crew.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Razorclaw Bear MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second 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 Razorclaw Bear and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Razorclaw Bear has restrictions

Format	Legality
Predh	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal