Large BearHow it works & interactions with other cards

Keyword Synergy

Large Bear possesses Reach, Trample, and Haste. Reach allows it to block creatures with Flying despite not having Flying itself. Trample ensures that any excess damage not needed to destroy a blocker is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker. Haste allows the Bear to ignore summoning sickness, meaning it can attack or use abilities requiring the tap symbol as soon as it enters the battlefield.

Resolving the Bear

When you cast Large Bear, you choose whether to spend Black or Green mana for the hybrid costs. Once it resolves and enters the battlefield, its Haste ability immediately allows it to be declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step of that same turn. If an opponent attacks you with a flying creature on their subsequent turn, Large Bear's Reach allows it to be declared as a legal blocker for that creature.

Strategic Timing

Because Large Bear has Haste, it is best played when the opponent is tapped out or has no blockers, maximizing its 5-mana investment for immediate damage. Its Reach also makes it a strong defensive play if you are facing pressure from aerial threats, providing a surprise blocker that most opponents might not expect from a typical Bear creature.

Interaction examples

Aggressive Deployment

You cast Large Bear for five mana during your first main phase. Because it has Haste, you move to your combat phase and immediately declare it as an attacker. If the opponent has no creatures, they take full damage; if they block with a 1/1 creature, Large Bear deals 1 damage to the creature and the remaining damage 'tramples' over to the opponent.

Golems and Bears

Solemn Simulacrum

You have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield to help ramp your mana. Once you reach five mana, you cast Large Bear. While the Simulacrum provides utility by searching for a land, the Large Bear provides the immediate pressure needed to capitalize on that extra mana, using its Haste to attack while the Simulacrum stays back to block and eventually draw you a card upon death.

Type Synergy

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Bear' as the creature type, it will not affect Large Bear's keywords. Reach, Trample, and Haste are static abilities, not triggered abilities. Roaming Throne only interacts with abilities that start with 'When', 'Whenever', or 'At'. Therefore, Large Bear will function normally without any additional triggers from the Throne.