Kudo, King Among Bears

Kudo, King Among Bears was released as part of the Modern Horizons 3 expansion for Magic: The Gathering in 2024. The set was designed to introduce powerful, format-warping cards specifically for modern play environments, often drawing on lore and creature types that have been staples of the game since its inception. Kudo serves as a unique legendary creature that fundamentally alters the battlefield state, turning all other creatures into 2/2 bears, a design choice that leans into the long-standing community affection for 'bear' cards within the game's history.

The card was illustrated by Joshua Raphael, who captured Kudo with a regal, imposing aesthetic that contrasts the mundane nature of a bear with the mystical qualities of a legendary entity. The design intent was to provide players with a disruptive, board-wide effect that forces opponents to rethink their combat math. Upon its debut, the card was received with intrigue by the commander format community, who appreciated its ability to serve as an unconventional commander that promotes a lighthearted, yet strategically complex, tribal theme.