Kudo, King Among BearsHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Bear Standard

Kudo, King Among Bears has a continuous effect that modifies two specific characteristics of all other creatures: their creature type and their base power and toughness. Regardless of what is printed on the card, every other creature becomes a Bear in addition to its other types and starts with a base of 2/2. This is a layer 4 (type-changing) and layer 7b (base power/toughness setting) effect.

Layers and Interaction

It is important to understand that Kudo sets the 'base' power and toughness. This means that +1/+1 counters, equipment like Shuko, and temporary buffs like Giant Growth are applied after Kudo's effect. If a creature has two +1/+1 counters, it will be a 4/4 Bear (2/2 base + 2 from counters). However, if another effect that sets base power and toughness starts applying after Kudo is already on the battlefield, the newest effect will take precedence due to timestamp rules.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that Kudo does not remove abilities. A creature turned into a Bear by Kudo keeps its Flying, Trample, or activated abilities. Another common error involves noncreature permanents. If a Vehicle is crewed while Kudo is out, it becomes a 2/2 Bear because crewing makes it a creature without setting specific stats. However, if a card becomes a creature and the effect explicitly says 'it's a 4/4,' that specific power-setting effect will override Kudo.

When to Play Kudo

Kudo is best used to shrink massive threats or to enable tribal synergies. Since Kudo makes all your small utility creatures 2/2, it often serves as a significant buff for your board while simultaneously weakening your opponent's larger monsters. Just be careful: if Kudo leaves the battlefield, all creatures immediately revert to their original stats, which might result in creatures surviving or dying depending on the damage marked on them.

Interaction examples

Scaling Up Small Utility

Birds of Paradise

Normally, Birds of Paradise is a 0/1 Bird. While Kudo, King Among Bears is on the battlefield, the Birds of Paradise becomes a 2/2 Bird Bear. It retains its Flying ability and its ability to tap for mana, but it can now safely attack or block as a much more formidable creature.

The Bear Druid Alliance

Llanowar Elves

Llanowar Elves is typically a 1/1 Elf Druid. With Kudo in play, the Elves become 2/2 Elf Druid Bears. This interaction demonstrates how Kudo adds the Bear type without removing existing types like Elf or Druid, allowing the creature to benefit from tribal bonuses for any of those three types.