Bear Cub MTG Card


Provides early board presence and deters aggression without impacting card advantage or mana resources. Adheres strictly to green-based decks, potentially constraining deck-building strategies due to mana specificity. While outpaced in competitive play, it offers thematic and combo potential in casual collections.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bear
Power 2
Toughness 2

Cards like Bear Cub

Bear Cub is a quaint and somewhat nostalgic creature card for Magic: The Gathering aficionados, reminding many of simple times in the game’s past. When placed beside other two-cost creatures, Bear Cub shows its straightforward nature. Grizzly Bears, almost a direct counterpart, shares the same mana cost and stats. Yet, the Bear Cub is unique for its flavor and lore, endearing it to players who favor thematic decks or collect animal-themed cards.

Comparatively, Alpine Grizzly stands out with a mightier punch, boasting an additional power point, catapulting it ahead in terms of board presence. It’s a clear choice for those looking to assert early-game dominance. On a slightly different branch, Runeclaw Bear embodies the basic essence of bear cards in the game, identical in cost and power to Bear Cub but without the nostalgic attachment the Cub pulls from the community.

In essence, Bear Cub’s value doesn’t solely stem from its stats but also its lore and the sentimental journey it represents. For collectors and thematic players, the Bear Cub is more than just a card—it’s a cherished piece of MTG history.

Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions
Runeclaw Bear - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions
Runeclaw Bear - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Bear Cub may not directly provide card advantage, its presence on the battlefield at a low cost can help deter early aggression from opponents, effectively preserving your hand and life total.

Resource Acceleration: Bear Cub itself doesn’t offer resource acceleration. However, its low mana cost of two allows players to keep mana open for other spells, aiding in maintaining a tempo that can lead to resource superiority.

Instant Speed: Although Bear Cub isn’t an instant speed spell, it fits well into decks that operate at instant speed by providing a reliable creature on the board without having to commit a large amount of mana, keeping options open for instant speed interactions during the opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Bear Cub doesn’t explicitly require a discard, it’s important for collectors that certain versions of the card due to reprints or promo editions could suffer from reduced value, meaning you might end up discarding it from your collection.

Specific Mana Cost: Bear Cub has a green mana cost of 1G. This specificity means it’s dedicated only to green decks or multi-colored decks that can produce green mana, which might not always align with your deck’s strategy or mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, a player gets a 2/2 creature. While it might have been a decent offer back in the day, in today’s game there are many two-mana creatures with additional abilities or higher stats, which might make the Bear Cub less appealing in a competitive environment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bear Cub, a seemingly simple card, can be a strong addition for decks that capitalize on creature buffs or forestry synergies. Its creature type, being a bear, is quite relevant in decks that center around such themes.

Combo Potential: This card works well within combos that require a staple creature on the board, as it can be easily fetched with creature-specific tutors due to its low mana cost, making it a strategic piece for larger plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its unassuming presence on the field, Bear Cub can be a sleeper hit in a meta where players might undervalue it until it’s paired with powerful auras or buffs. It’s a card that could catch opponents off-guard, particularly in casual or themed play environments.


How to beat

Bear Cub may seem like an unassuming creature card in Magic: The Gathering, but it can represent a formidable early game presence with its straightforward 2/2 stats for only two mana. Nevertheless, there are practical strategies to overcome the cub’s early board advantage. For instance, removal spells are a clean answer, such as Shock, which can dispatch the cub before it has a chance to grow through buffs or equipment. Similarly, combat tricks like Giant Growth can turn the tables during combat, enhancing your creatures to outmatch the cub’s power and toughness.

Control decks have access to a variety of countermeasures, like Essence Scatter, which can counter the creature spell before it even hits the battlefield. Alternatively, if Bear Cub is part of an opponent’s ramp strategy, land destruction or direct player damage cards can disrupt their gameplay and maintain your tempo advantage. Sweepers like Pyroclasm offer a board reset if the cub is in a group of early low-cost creatures. In a nutshell, staying proactive with your removal, control, and combat strategies allows you to manage cards like Bear Cub and maintain battlefield supremacy.


BurnMana Recommendations

The journey through MTG is filled with tactical decisions and the Bear Cub card is no exception. Its straightforward nature makes it a utility player in green decks, and it paves the way for various synergies and unexpected combos. Exploring the potential of cards like Bear Cub enriches your gameplay experience, revealing nuances that could be key to your victory. Ready to enhance your collection and uncover strategies that turn this humble creature into a powerful asset? Dive in with us for in-depth insights and expert tips that will transform your deck-building approach and gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bear Cub MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age 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 Bear Cub and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bear Cub Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 1231997NormalBlackRon Spencer
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11311997NormalBlackRon Spencer
32020-09-26The ListPLST P02-1231997NormalBlackRon Spencer
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 5462015NormalBlackRon Spencer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bear Cub has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal