Owlbear Cub MTG Card


Owlbear Cub provides card advantage potential, influencing battlefield control when unaddressed. Insufficient flexibility and high mana costs can unfavorably constrain deck strategies. Meta shifts can elevate Owlbear Cub’s viability, particularly in creature-dense decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Bird Bear
Abilities Mama's Coming
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Mama's Coming — Whenever Owlbear Cub attacks a player who controls eight or more lands, look at the top eight cards of your library. You may put a creature card from among them onto the battlefield tapped and attacking that player. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.


Cards like Owlbear Cub

Owlbear Cub carves out its own space in the world of MTG creatures. When compared to cards like Elvish Mystic or Llanowar Elves, Owlbear Cub stands out due to its ability to fight another target creature—a valuable feature absent in the elves. While these mana dorks are cheaper and excel at ramping up your resources early in the game, Owlbear Cub offers a different kind of utility with its combat potential.

Looking at another creature, Gnarlback Rhino, we can see some similarities, as both cards have the potential to draw you a card. However, Gnarlback Rhino requires you to cast a spell that targets it, which therein adds conditionality, while Owlbear Cub simply requires a combat phase where you attack. Considering the play styles, Owlbear Cub may fit better in an aggressive strategy, focusing on creature interactions rather than the spell-slinging approach that Gnarlback Rhino might encourage.

Owlbear Cub has its own merit among MTG creature cards, especially for those players who appreciate significant impact during the combat phase and direct ways to draw cards without the dependency on other spells or abilities.

Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Gnarlback Rhino - MTG Card versions
Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Gnarlback Rhino - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Owlbear Cub by color, type and mana cost

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Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - 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
Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Owlbear Cub allows you to potentially generate card advantage by creating a situation where you can draw extra cards. This can be particularly powerful if the Owlbear Cub remains unchecked on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting resources, the presence of Owlbear Cub can deter opponents from attacking, indirectly preserving your life total and resources for subsequent turns, which is a form of tempo generation in your favor.

Instant Speed: While Owlbear Cub isn’t played at instant speed, its impact on the board can influence instant speed interactions. Opponents may need to use their instant speed removals preemptively to avoid potential unfavorable combat scenarios, giving you a form of indirect control over the pace of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Owlbear Cub necessitates discarding another card when you wish to utilize its ability. For players running lean on hand size, this prerequisite can be a significant hindrance, potentially forcing tough decisions about hand management and overall strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Owlbear Cub is color-defined, requiring both green and red mana. This specificity can challenge deck flexibility, making it a less versatile choice for those running multi-colored decks or wanting to keep their mana options open.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that could be considered on the upper end for its abilities, Owlbear Cub may not be the most mana-efficient creature in your deck. There exist alternative creatures and spells that could present a greater impact on the game board at a similar or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Owlbear Cub Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Owlbear Cub can seamlessly adapt to a variety of Green-based strategies. Its low casting cost allows it to be a flexible addition to your early game, aiding ramp sequences or fitting into creature-heavy decks.

Combo Potential: This card works well in tandem with mechanics that capitalize on creature presence, such as those triggering on creature casting or enter-the-battlefield effects, and it may act as a key component in synergistic deck themes.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the state of the meta, a resilient creature like Owlbear Cub could provide consistent board presence and pressure against controlling or tempo-based opponents, capturing the essence of Green’s tenacity.


How to beat

Owlbear Cub, a newcomer to the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. This card stands out with its potent blend of trample and the potential to grow stronger through power-boosting counters. Yet, every card has its weaknesses, and understanding these is key to developing a strategy to overcome this feisty cub.

To successfully counter Owlbear Cub, consider using removal spells before it can accumulate too many power counters and become a larger threat. Instant-speed removals like Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch the cub efficiently, especially if it is played early. Keeping the board clear of other creatures also removes potential blockers that might protect the cub from your attacks. In addition, enchantments that restrict the abilities of creatures, such as Pacifism or Frogify, can neutralize the cub’s growing threat without having to remove it from the field entirely.

Remember, direct damage spells and timely removal are your best bet against Owlbear Cub. By understanding the tactics to suppress its abilities, you can ensure that this cub doesn’t become an unstoppable force in your opponent’s creature lineup.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the complex dynamics of MTG is an ongoing adventure, full of strategic depth and intrigue. Owlbear Cub, with its mix of potential card advantage and tempo influence, can be a strategic addition to certain decks. Understanding both its strengths and its precise role within your strategy is key to leveraging its abilities effectively. For those curious about how Owlbear Cub fits into the greater MTG ecosystem or seeking to optimize their deck composition, look no further. Unveil deeper insights and strategies, decode the meta, and refine your game plan with us. Enhance your MTG collection and play with confidence—our guides and resources are here to help you advance. Dive into the world of MTG and uncover the potential of Owlbear Cub and many other impactful cards in the realm of the multiverse.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Owlbear Cub MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Baldur's Gate Promos and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Owlbear Cub and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Owlbear Cub Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Ernanda Souza.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-06-10Battle for Baldur's Gate PromosPCLB 246s2015NormalBlackErnanda Souza
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 2462015NormalBlackErnanda Souza
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 5922015NormalBlackErnanda Souza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Owlbear Cub has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal