Bear is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Complete guide
The Bear token is a classic staple of Magic: The Gathering, representing nature's raw strength on the battlefield. While usually appearing as a 2/2 green creature, these tokens serve as the backbone for tribal synergies and heavy-hitting aggressive strategies.
What It Does
A Bear token is a creature created by another spell or ability. While most effects create a 2/2 green Bear, certain cards like The Earth King create larger 4/4 versions. These tokens function exactly like creature cards while on the battlefield, meaning they can attack, block, and be targeted by spells, but they cease to exist if they leave the battlefield for any reason.
How It Resolves Step by Step
When a spell or ability that creates a Bear token resolves, the token enters the battlefield immediately. This event triggers any 'whenever a creature enters' or 'whenever a Bear enters' abilities. The token remains on the battlefield until it is destroyed, exiled, or bounced. If it moves to any zone other than the battlefield, it momentarily exists there before vanishing as a state-based action.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming all Bear tokens have the same stats; always check the source card, as power and toughness are defined by the effect that created it. Another mistake involves legendary status: unless specified otherwise, Bear tokens are not legendary, so you can control as many as you can create. Finally, remember that tokens have a mana value of 0, which makes them vulnerable to specific removal spells.
When to Play It
Bear tokens are best utilized in decks that benefit from high creature counts or specific creature types. They are excellent for triggering 'Landfall' payoffs or serving as sacrificial fodder. In a Bear-themed deck, they become significant threats when combined with lords that provide stat boosts or utility effects like fighting.
Interaction examples
Ayula's InfluenceIf you have Ayula, Queen Among Bears on the battlefield and discard a land to Ayula's Influence, a 2/2 Bear token enters. This triggers Ayula's ability, allowing you to either put two +1/+1 counters on that Bear or have it fight a creature you don't control.
Fade from HistoryIf you cast Fade from History while an artifact is out, you create a 2/2 Bear token before all artifacts and enchantments are destroyed. Later, if you use One Ring to Rule Them All, its Chapter II ability will destroy that Bear token because it is a nonlegendary creature.
Argoth, Sanctum of NatureWhen The Earth King enters, it creates a 4/4 Bear token. If you also use Argoth, Sanctum of Nature to create a 2/2 Bear, you can attack with both. Because you attacked with at least one creature with power 4 or greater (the 4/4 Bear), The Earth King triggers, letting you search for a basic land.
Titania's CommandAfter using Titania's Command to create two 2/2 Bear tokens, if you have Spider-Ham, Peter Porker on the battlefield, his 'Animal May-Ham' ability grants those Bears +1/+1, making them 3/3 creatures.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Bear
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Bear.
At the beginning of your upkeep, the Ring tempts you. Whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer, you may pay 2 life. If you do, draw a card.
When The Earth King enters, create a 4/4 green Bear creature token. Whenever one or more creatures you control with power 4 or greater attack, search your library for up to that many basic land cards, put them onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.) I — The Ring tempts you, then each player mills cards equal to your Ring-bearer's power. II — Destroy all nonlegendary creatures. III — Each opponent loses 1 life for each creature card in that player's graveyard.
Trample, ward {2} When Treebeard enters, create two Food tokens. Whenever you gain life, put that many +1/+1 counters on target Halfling or Treefolk.
Flying Wraiths you control have protection from Ring-bearers. Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, create a 3/3 black Wraith creature token with menace. Then if you control nine or more Wraiths, Wraiths you control have base power and toughness 9/9 until end of turn.
This land enters tapped unless you control a legendary green creature. {T}: Add {G}. {2}{G}{G}, {T}: Create a 2/2 green Bear creature token, then mill three cards. Activate only as a sorcery. (Melds with Titania, Voice of Gaea.)
Choose two — • Exile target player's graveyard. You gain 1 life for each card exiled this way. • Search your library for up to two land cards, put them onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle. • Create two 2/2 green Bear creature tokens. • Put two +1/+1 counters on each creature you control.
Partner with Sam, Loyal Attendant Vigilance Whenever Frodo attacks, if you gained 3 or more life this turn, the Ring tempts you. Then if Frodo is your Ring-bearer and the Ring has tempted you two or more times this game, draw a card.
Each player who controls an artifact or enchantment creates a 2/2 green Bear creature token. Then destroy all artifacts and enchantments.
Whenever another Bear you control enters, choose one — • Put two +1/+1 counters on target Bear. • Target Bear you control fights target creature you don't control.
When Spider-Ham enters, create a Food token. (It's an artifact with "{2}, {T}, Sacrifice this token: You gain 3 life.") Animal May-Ham — Other Spiders, Boars, Bats, Bears, Birds, Cats, Dogs, Frogs, Jackals, Lizards, Mice, Otters, Rabbits, Raccoons, Rats, Squirrels, Turtles, and Wolves you control get +1/+1.
Reverberating Summons — At the beginning of your end step, each opponent loses 2 life. Then for each opponent who has less life than you, create a 1/3 black Demon creature token named Plaguebearer of Nurgle.
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Meta decks with Bear
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.