EDH Optimizer
Bears Commander decks
Bears is a kindred archetype: the deck is built around one creature type and the cards that pay you for having many of them. It is mostly played in green. Its most characteristic cards are Wilson, Refined Grizzly, Ayula, Queen Among Bears, Werebear: not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear in these decks far above what is normal for the same colors.
Cards that define the archetype
Ranked by how much MORE they are played inside the archetype than in the rest of Commander. Generic staples (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet…) fall out for exactly that reason: they are played everywhere equally.
| Card | Commanders | Avg. inclusion | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson, Refined Grizzly | 4 | 66% | +80 pts |
| Ayula, Queen Among Bears | 4 | 66% | +80 pts |
| Werebear | 3 | 70% | +60 pts |
| Mother Bear | 3 | 64% | +60 pts |
| Rampaging Yao Guai | 3 | 57% | +59 pts |
| Beast Whisperer | 4 | 48% | +53 pts |
| Bear Umbra | 3 | 49% | +53 pts |
Commanders for Bears
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
Paste your list and we tell you whether the deck actually does what it wants to do: curve, ramp, interaction and a 10,000-game simulation.
🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Bears deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Duskana, the Rage Mother, Ayula, Queen Among Bears, Beorn the Fierce. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 8 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Bears is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Bears deck?
The three most characteristic are Wilson, Refined Grizzly, Ayula, Queen Among Bears, Werebear. They are not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear far more inside this archetype than in the rest of Commander — which is what actually makes them essential here.
What colors is Bears played in?
The most common color identities are Green. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Bears deck cost?
It depends on the price cap PER CARD you set. Each commander page lists the best cards in three tiers (up to €2, up to €10 and no cap), and the optimizer only suggests swaps that fit the cap you pick.