Alpine Grizzly MTG Card


Great mana-to-power ratio for early game aggression and favorable trades. Fits various green strategies and excels in beast-centric tribal decks. Lacks additional abilities which may limit impact in varied MTG formats.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bear
Power 4
Toughness 2

Cards like Alpine Grizzly

Alpine Grizzly holds its ground in the world of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. This formidable beast is a natural comparison to fellow 4/2s like Llanowar Empath. Though they share the same power and toughness, Llanowar Empath offers an additional benefit of scrying and drawing a card when it enters the battlefield. The Grizzly, however, compensates with a lower casting cost, making it a quicker option for those seeking to apply early pressure.

Exploring alternatives like Snapping Gnarlid, we observe a comparable cost, but a different kind of advantage. The Gnarlid gains bonus power with landfall, potentially outclassing our Grizzly in the right deck. Yet, for consistent power without needing additional interactions, Alpine Grizzly remains a steadfast choice.

Lastly, there’s the Baloth Pup, which starts smaller but packs a potential for growth with its +1/+1 counters. The upfront presence of Alpine Grizzly, however, doesn’t need to wait to ramp up, granting immediate impact on the board. In terms of raw power on entry and straightforward aggression, Alpine Grizzly earns its respect among 4/2 creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Llanowar Empath - MTG Card versions
Snapping Gnarlid - MTG Card versions
Baloth Pup - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Empath - MTG Card versions
Snapping Gnarlid - MTG Card versions
Baloth Pup - MTG Card versions

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Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Alpine Grizzly doesn’t net you cards directly, its 4/2 stats for a low cost can pressure opponents quickly, leading to advantageous board states. This often forces the opponent to trade more than one card to deal with it, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The key with cards like Alpine Grizzly lies in their mana-to-power ratio. At only three mana, Alpine Grizzly comes down early and hits hard, accelerating your resource usage by applying significant pressure without a high mana investment, making it a budget-friendly addition to your mana curve.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the raw power of Alpine Grizzly often requires an immediate answer from opponents. This can tie up their resources or trick them into holding back crucial instant speed removal in anticipation, allowing you additional freedom to execute your strategy unimpeded.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Alpine Grizzly requires both green mana and colorless mana, making it potentially restrictive for multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 4/2 creature, Alpine Grizzly can be a tough play in formats where efficiency is paramount. There are creatures with better stats or additional abilities at a similar cost.

Lack of Abilities: Alpine Grizzly lacks any additional abilities, which means it doesn’t bring extra utility such as trample or haste to the table, reducing its overall impact in games where these abilities can be decisive.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Alpine Grizzly’s straightforward mana cost and solid 4/2 body make it a strong fit in a range of green decks. As a creature that can hold its own in the early to mid-game, it can be a reliable piece in both aggressive and ramp strategies.

Combo Potential: Thanks to its creature type, Alpine Grizzly can be a key component in Tribal decks, working seamlessly with cards that reward you for controlling bears or beasts. Its cost-efficient stats also make it a suitable candidate for synergies with cards that bolster creature-based combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that favors quick board development, Alpine Grizzly can be particularly impactful. Its ability to exert early pressure and trade effectively with many common creatures can give green decks a crucial edge.


How to beat

The Alpine Grizzly is a straightforward creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers a respectable power spike in the early game. With its 4/2 stats for a mere three mana, it’s a solid choice for a quick offensive strategy. To counter this furry threat, effective strategies include using instant speed removal spells. Options like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push can swiftly deal with the bear before it can maul your life total.

Furthermore, given that Alpine Grizzly lacks any inherent protection or evasion, it’s vulnerable to combat tricks and unfavorable trades. By blocking with creatures that have higher toughness or those with deathtouch, you can ensure that the bear’s time on the battlefield is short-lived. Ambient board control effects, such as Pyroclasm or Electrickery, can also clear the grizzly along with other potential early-game creatures your opponent may have played.

Ultimately, while Alpine Grizzly presents an immediate threat due to its power, its low toughness and simplicity make it manageable. By staying prepared with removal, understanding the tempo, and readying blockers that can survive its attack or take it down, you’ll keep the grizzly at bay and maintain your foothold in the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the world of MTG and discover how to maximize your potential with cards like Alpine Grizzly. Understanding the finer aspects of resource acceleration, board presence, and strategic plays enhances any player’s game. While the Grizzly’s simplicity is its charm, there’s a complex world of interactions and tactics to explore. Our insights can help you refine your strategies and make discerning choices about including such cards in your decks. Whether you’re aiming to outpace the competition or seeking an efficient mana curve, we have the guidance you need. Journey with us for in-depth analysis and tips to sharpen your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Alpine Grizzly MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Alpine Grizzly and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Alpine Grizzly Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by John Severin Brassell.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 1272015NormalBlackJohn Severin Brassell
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11162015NormalBlackJohn Severin Brassell
32020-09-26The ListPLST KTK-1272015NormalBlackJohn Severin Brassell

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Alpine Grizzly has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal