Grizzly Bears MTG Card


Grizzly Bears requires removal, potentially evening out card parity and benefiting you through indirect card advantage. It doesn’t offer instant-speed play, but its simplicity keeps mana open for other crucial on-turn responses. While basic, it’s a green deck staple that synergizes with tribal themes and support cards for combos.
Card setsReleased in 26 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bear
Power 2
Toughness 2

Cards like Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears stands as a timeless creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This simple card, featuring a pair of 2/2 bears for two mana, symbolizes the baseline for creature strength and efficiency in the game. Similarly, we have Runeclaw Bear, which mirrors the power and toughness of Grizzly Bears entirely. The key difference? Runeclaw Bear is a part of a newer set and features updated flavor text, offering a modern twist on the original.

Moving beyond the forests of similar creatures, we encounter Savannah Lions. Although these cats boast an aggressive one mana cost for a 2/1 creature, they are slightly more vulnerable than the sturdy 2/2 bears. Unlike the balanced offensive and defensive capabilities of Grizzly Bears, Savannah Lions lean more towards a quick offense. Conversely, Garruk’s Companion brings a special advantage to the table with trample, setting it apart from the Grizzly Bears despite having the same mana cost and stats, potentially offering more impact in a player’s creature lineup.

Reflecting on the broad range of creature cards, it’s clear that while Grizzly Bears may be outshined in certain aspects by its kin, it still holds a nostalgic place in MTG and remains a benchmark for new card evaluations.

Runeclaw Bear - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Companion - MTG Card versions
Runeclaw Bear - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Companion - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grizzly Bears by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Ayula, Queen Among Bears - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Chosen - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Ayula, Queen Among Bears - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Chosen - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Grizzly Bears may not offer direct card draw, it’s a reliable creature that often requires an opponent’s removal card to deal with, potentially evening out card parity. Trading efficiently with the bears can sometimes press the opponent into unfavorable exchanges, indirectly tipping the balance of card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Grizzly Bears, as a classic two-cost 2/2 creature, does not inherently provide resource acceleration. However, it represents a cost-efficient addition to the battlefield, paving the way for more impactful spells to be played sooner by absorbing early game pressure and stabilizing your board presence.

Instant Speed: Although Grizzly Bears is a creature card that lacks instant speed, its simplicity allows players to keep mana available for other instant-speed interactions. Deploying Grizzly Bears leaves you flexible to respond with other spells during your opponent’s turn, keeping the dynamic of the match in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grizzly Bears forces you to make decisions that could disrupt your hand dynamics, potentially causing you to discard valuable resources that hinder your game development.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes green mana, Grizzly Bears can be restrictive and not easily splashed into multi-coloured decks without the right mana-fixing elements in place.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a constantly evolving MTG landscape, the two mana needed for a 2/2 creature may not be the most cost-effective play, particularly when there are numerous other creatures with added abilities or higher stats available at a similar, if not the same, cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grizzly Bears is a staple creature with a well-balanced 2/2 body for two mana, making it an excellent and straightforward choice for green decks or any deck needing a solid creature base.

Combo Potential: Its creature type, Bear, allows for synergy with cards that support tribal themes. In addition, its simple mana cost can efficiently be used with various auras, equipments, and green’s creature-focused spells for surprising combos.

Meta-Relevance: While not a powerhouse in ever-changing competitive formats, Grizzly Bears holds its ground in more casual circles and can shine in a meta that favors straightforward, efficient creatures over complex strategies.


How to beat

Grizzly Bears may not rank among the flashiest creatures in Magic the Gathering, but underestimating these 2/2 vanilla creatures could spell trouble. They stand as a testament to simplicity, readily challenging planeswalkers early on the battlefield. Yet, there is a trick to surpassing these forest inhabitants. Given their direct and uncomplicated nature, creatures with higher toughness serve as an excellent counterbalance. A proficient defender or a timely removal spell could easily topple them.

Additionally, employing creatures with reach or flyers takes the upper hand, as Grizzly Bears lack any form of evasion. This allows players to dictate air combat while holding a line of defense on the ground. Should the situation necessitate, spells that deal direct damage or mass removals also serve as reliable ways to clear these creatures from the board. Hence, while Grizzly Bears present a reliable early game threat, they can be systematically outmaneuvered with the correct strategy and a well-rounded deck.

Above all, understanding the dynamics of your deck, along with anticipating simple yet effective threats like Grizzly Bears, can make all the difference during a match. Keeping cool and playing smart ensures these creatures become little more than a minor hindrance in your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Grizzly Bears may seem unassuming, but they exemplify the very heart of MTG: strategic creature play and deck building. Whether you’re bolstering your collection or sharpening your competitive edge, these creatures can teach valuable lessons in efficiency and adaptability. As you journey further into the MTG realm, consider the role that foundational cards like Grizzly Bears play in understanding the game’s mechanics. Dive deeper with us, discover innovative strategies, and enrich your gameplay. Elevate your MTG tactics and collection by learning more about the potential hidden in these classic cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grizzly Bears MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Grizzly Bears and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grizzly Bears Magic the Gathering card was released in 22 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1991993NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2001993NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2001993NormalWhiteJeff A. Menges
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2001993NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2001993NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2011993NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2011993NormalWhiteJeff A. Menges
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2011993NormalWhiteJeff A. Menges
91995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2501993NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2501993NormalWhiteJeff A. Menges
111996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 411993NormalWhiteJeff A. Menges
121996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 421993NormalWhiteJeff A. Menges
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3011997NormalWhiteUna Fricker
141997-05-01PortalPOR 1691997NormalBlackZina Saunders
151999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2361997NormalWhiteUna Fricker
161999-07-01Starter 1999S99 1291997NormalWhiteUna Fricker
172001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 251★1997NormalBlackD. J. Cleland-Hura
182001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2511997NormalWhiteD. J. Cleland-Hura
192003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2562003NormalWhiteD. J. Cleland-Hura
202003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 256★2003NormalBlackD. J. Cleland-Hura
212005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2462003NormalWhiteD. J. Cleland-Hura
222005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 246★2003NormalBlackD. J. Cleland-Hura
232007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2682003NormalBlackD. J. Cleland-Hura
242021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 5802015NormalBlackD. J. Cleland-Hura
252022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4921997NormalBlackJeff A. Menges
262022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1952015NormalBlackJeff A. Menges

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grizzly Bears has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal