Spectral Bears MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 98
1996-05-02 - Number bl98
1996-05-02 - Number pp98
1997-08-13 - Number sg98
2007-09-10 - Number 131
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bear Spirit |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
If Spectral Bears is declared as an attacker and defending player controls no black cards, it does not untap during your next untap phase.
"I hear there are Bears—or spirits—that guard caravans passing through the forest." —Gulsen, Abbey Matron
Cards like Spectral Bears
Spectral Bears stands out in the realm of two-mana creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Sharing the forest synergy, its closest counterparts are Grizzly Bears, which are a straightforward pair of 2/2 for two mana without any additional effects. The Spectral Bears, however, have a unique twist – they can only attack if you control a forest, which makes them simultaneously reliable and conditional.
Another card worth mentioning is Balduvian Bears, a creature card echoing the same power and toughness as Grizzly Bears, but with the advantage of not being conditional. Balduvian Bears can attack and block regardless of the lands you have in play. The Albino Troll is a formidable addition, offering regeneration and a 3/3 body for only one green and one generic mana, with the minor drawback of an echo cost.
Looking at these comparisons, Spectral Bears offer a compelling choice for decks rich in forests. They deliver a cost-effective creature with a minor deck-building requirement. This nuanced requirement of forest ownership can be advantageous in the right environment, making Spectral Bears an intriguing option for MTG players who favor green decks with a natural, wooded essence.
Cards similar to Spectral Bears by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Spectral Bears may not draw cards directly, its resilience in the right deck can effectively deny opponents their usual card advantage by withstanding removal attempts or creating favorable combat scenarios that force them to lose creatures or resources to handle it.
Resource Acceleration: Although Spectral Bears does not generate mana or treasure tokens, its low casting cost combines with potential synergies in a deck that values creatures with a strong power-to-cost ratio. This efficiency enables you to apply pressure early and possibly play multiple spells in a turn as your mana base develops.
Instant Speed: Spectral Bears itself is not an instant; however, its presence on the battlefield allows you to keep mana open for other instant-speed interactions without sacrificing board presence. In decks that prioritize tempo, it ensures that you can still engage with the game during your opponent’s turn while establishing threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spectral Bears come with a particular condition that can be a drawback in gameplay. To attack or block, another creature on the battlefield must share its color, potentially leaving you unable to utilize the Bears effectively if your board state doesn’t align.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a mana combination exclusive to green decks, Spectral Bears can be restrictive. This makes it a difficult fit for multicolored decks that can’t always guarantee the necessary green mana early in the game when establishing a presence is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a summoning cost that might be considered steep for a 3/3 creature, Spectral Bears’ cost-effectiveness is questionable. Given its restrictive attacking and blocking conditions, there are other creatures at a similar or lower mana cost that provide more flexibility and immediate board impact.
Reasons to Include Spectral Bears in Your Collection
Versatility: Spectral Bears shines in a variety of green-centric decks. Its low mana cost makes it easy to summon early in the game, fitting smoothly in aggressive strategies that aim to overwhelm opponents quickly.
Combo Potential: Integrating this card into decks that manipulate the graveyard or utilize creatures can unearth powerful synergies. Its unique requirement for Forests can also encourage innovative deck building to optimize its strength.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right circumstances, Spectral Bears can be a formidable asset against decks that lack consistent creature removal. Its ability to return to the field can continually apply pressure and shape the flow of the game in your favor.
How to beat
Spectral Bears is an intriguing creature that finds its place in Magic: The Gathering’s history as a somewhat elusive threat. This particular card comes with a unique upkeep requirement – you can only pay its upkeep cost if you control a forest. If not, you’ll be forced to sacrifice the creature. This ability gives the card a certain rhythm, aligning well with green’s affinity for forests and nature-based strategies.
When facing Spectral Bears, the key to success lies in disrupting the forest-centric strategy of your opponent. Land destruction, though not always the most popular tactic, can be very effective here. Spells that target lands specifically, such as Acid Rain or Rain of Tears, can impede your opponent’s ability to meet the upkeep requirement, compelling them to sacrifice their spectral ally. Moreover, non-land strategies that disrupt the ability to keep a forest in play, like using effects to phase out lands temporarily or preventing land untaps, can similarly neutralize the threat posed by Spectral Bears.
Ultimately, if you can manipulate the battlefield to sever the connection between the Spectral Bears and their forest home, you’ll efficiently neutralize an opponent’s threat and maintain the upper hand in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spectral Bears MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Spectral Bears and other MTG cards:
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- 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
Printings
The Spectral Bears Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Pat Lewis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 98 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pat Lewis | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | bl98 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Pat Lewis | |
| 3 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | pp98 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Pat Lewis | |
| 4 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | sg98 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Pat Lewis | |
| 5 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 131 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pat Lewis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spectral Bears has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spectral Bears card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | The checks for black cards is made both at the time you declare attackers and as the ability resolves. If there are any at the time attackers are declared, it won’t trigger at all. If there are any at the time it resolves, the ability will do nothing. |