Werebear MTG Card


Werebear excels as an effective mana dork and transitions into a beefy creature with threshold. It serves as a versatile pick, fitting into multiple strategies and adapting to the game’s tempo. Understanding Werebear’s strengths and weaknesses enhances deck building and in-game tactics.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Bear Druid
Abilities Threshold
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

oc T: Add o G to your mana pool. Threshold Werebear gets +3/+3. (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

He exercises his right to bear arms.


Cards like Werebear

Werebear is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering with the ability to transform into a formidable force. Comparable to Llanowar Elves, Werebear initially serves as a mana dork, providing that crucial extra green mana in the early game. However, Werebear offers a significant advantage with its potential to become a 4/4 creature once there are four or more cards in your graveyard, contrasting with Llanowar Elves’ fixed stats.

Along the lines of mana acceleration and graveyard synergy, consider Satyr Wayfinder. This creature not only allows you to look at the top four cards of your library and put a land card into your hand but also helps fill your graveyard, indirectly boosting Werebear’s power-up condition. Unlike Werebear, Satyr Wayfinder doesn’t offer a late-game power spike in terms of creature stats. On the flip side, Tarmogoyf is another creature that grows with graveyard contents, potentially outscaling a powered-up Werebear but lacking the mana acceleration.

Overall, in a game that values flexibility and growth potential, Werebear stands out as a card that can significantly evolve from a utility role to become a game-changing combatant in the right deck.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Satyr Wayfinder - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Satyr Wayfinder - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Werebear by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
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Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
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Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
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Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - 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
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Werebear. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
TerrageddonTerrageddon PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Bant TempoBant Tempo PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
DecklistDecklist Free form80#CS
Simic StiflenoughtSimic Stiflenought PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Werebear has the potential to become more than just a mana dork; when threshold is achieved, it transforms into a powerful creature, effectively offering you an additional threat on the board without needing to draw another card. This duality provides intrinsic card advantage as you’re getting two roles in one card – early game ramp and late game muscle.

Resource Acceleration: In the early stages of the game, Werebear serves as a mana accelerant, tapping for a green mana. This is essential in enabling faster deployment of high-cost creatures or spells, which can be pivotal for gaining an edge over your opponent.

Instant Speed: Whilst Werebear itself isn’t an instant, its transformation into a 4/4 creature depends on having seven or more cards in your graveyard—a condition often met through instant-speed interactions and spells. This allows Werebear to evolve unexpectedly during your opponent’s turn, surprising them with a suddenly beefed-up blocker or attacker right after they’ve committed to their strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For Werebear to transform into a powerful creature, a total of seven cards must be in your graveyard. This could potentially force you to discard valuable cards or alter your play style to meet this threshold, which might not synergize with your deck’s overall strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Werebear requires one green mana to cast. While this is manageable in mono-green or two-color decks, it could present a challenge in more color-diverse decks or those with a more intense mana curve, reducing its versatility across different builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though Werebear initially costs only two mana, relying on it for late-game strength means you’re investing in a card that won’t reach its full potential until potentially much later in the game. This can be a drawback in fast-paced matches where every turn counts, and there may be more efficient creatures to include in such scenarios.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Werebear is a dynamic choice for decks that capitalize on both creature strength and mana acceleration. As a 1/1 that can tap for mana, Werebear can be pivotal in the early game, while its transform ability makes it a formidable 4/4 creature later on.

Combo Potential: In a deck with a graveyard theme, Werebear can quickly become a powerhouse. Its synergy with self-mill strategies allows it to reach its threshold potential rapidly, making it an unforeseen threat on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given its duality as both a mana dork and an aggressive creature, Werebear fits well into various meta environments. In slower-paced games, it can be the key to casting game-winning spells by providing additional green mana, while in quicker games, it serves as an efficient beater once threshold is reached.


How to beat

Overcoming the challenges posed by Werebear in MTG requires strategic play and a thorough understanding of its mechanics. At its heart, Werebear is not just a creature but also a mana accelerator capable of potentially transforming into a powerful threat should its threshold condition be met. Playing against it, one must focus on two fronts: impeding the creature’s ability to grow and disrupting the opponent’s graveyard.

Swift removal spells are your primary weapon. These cards can target and eliminate Werebear before it becomes too big a problem, especially if cast before the opponent has seven or more cards in their graveyard. If Werebear has already achieved the threshold, one should turn to unconditional removal spells or those that can bypass its increased power and toughness.

A capable player also recognizes the advantage of graveyard management. Tools that exile cards from the graveyard can reduce the opponent’s resources and directly influence Werebear’s effectiveness. In practice, timely interactions with Werebear, preventing it from accelerating your opponent’s game or becoming a significant threat, are key strategies in claiming victory over this versatile card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the roles and applications of Werebear in your MTG decks is crucial for both novices and seasoned players. It excels in decks that interact with the graveyard, shifting from a simple mana accelerator to a considerable threat. While Werebear has its limitations, strategic deck construction and play can turn these challenges into advantages. Considering its utility in a variety of MTG formats, it’s worth knowing how to maximize its impact. If you’re looking to master the finesse of deck building or need guidance on enhancing your gameplay with Werebear, step in for detailed insights and strategies. Empower your MTG experience with the knowledge to thrive.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Werebear MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and World Championship Decks 2002, 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 Werebear and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Werebear Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 2821997NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
22002-08-14World Championship Decks 2002WC02 rl2821997NormalGoldCarl Critchlow
32010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A871997NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
42016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 1912015NormalBlackFilip Burburan
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 1822015NormalBlackCarl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Werebear has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Werebear card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-12-08 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to Werebear may become lethal if the number of cards in your graveyard falls below seven.