Bear's CompanionHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Bear's Companion is a 2/2 Human Warrior that features an 'enters' triggered ability. As soon as it successfully moves from the stack to the battlefield, its ability triggers, allowing you to create a 4/4 green Bear creature token. This means you are effectively paying five mana for a total of 6 power and 6 toughness spread across two different creatures.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Bear's Companion and wait for it to resolve. Once it enters the battlefield, the triggered ability is put onto the stack. Players then have a chance to respond with instants or activated abilities. If no one responds, the ability resolves and you place a 4/4 green Bear token onto the battlefield. Note that the token is not 'cast'; it is created as part of the resolution of the ability.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that the 4/4 Bear token enters at the exact same time as Bear's Companion. In reality, Bear's Companion must be on the battlefield for the ability to even trigger. If an opponent uses a counterspell on Bear's Companion while it is on the stack, it never enters the battlefield, and you do not get the Bear token. Additionally, the Bear token does not have any mana cost, which is important for certain card effects.

When to Play It

This card is best used when you need to stabilize your board or put pressure on an opponent with multiple threats. Because the value is split between two creatures, it is naturally resilient against single-target removal spells. It also synergizes exceptionally well with cards that care about creatures entering the battlefield or effects that double triggered abilities.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Fun

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Human' or 'Warrior' as it entered, the ability of Bear's Companion will trigger an additional time. When Bear's Companion enters, you will put two separate instances of its ability on the stack, eventually resulting in two 4/4 green Bear tokens and the 2/2 Human Warrior.

Curve Efficiency

Solemn Simulacrum

In a typical game, you might play Solemn Simulacrum on turn four to search for a basic land, ensuring you have the specific colors (Green, Blue, and Red) needed for Bear's Companion. On turn five, you cast Bear's Companion. This sequence allows you to ramp your mana and then immediately capitalize on that mana by putting 6 power onto the board across two bodies.

Creating the Token

Bear

When Bear's Companion resolves, it creates a Bear token. This token is a 4/4 green creature with no abilities. While the token is represented by the Bear card, it is important to remember that it is a permanent created by an effect, not a card played from your hand, and it will cease to exist if it is ever returned to a player's hand or put into a graveyard.