I sent an ask to Maro on his Tumblr a while back asking about the future of Bears in Magic. Until then, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I don't really have a frame of reference anymore for modern Magic since I haven't played in years, but here we go. Also, I apologize for any outdated terms.
Mama Bear - 2GG
Creature -- Bear (R)
Whenever a creature deals damage to a creature you control with less power than Mama Bear, Mama Bear fights that creature.
4/4
Barbearian - RG
Creature -- Bear (U)
When Barbearian enters the battlefield, it fights target creature you don't control.
2/2
Honeyseeker - 1GG
Creature -- Bear (U)
Flash
When Honeyseeker enters the battlefield, until end of turn, all +1/+1 counters that would be placed on other creatures are placed on Honeyseeker instead.
2/2
Brainseeker - 2BB
Creature -- Zombie Bear (R)
When Brainseeker enters the battlefield, look at target opponent's hand and choose a card from it. That player discards that card, and put +1/+1 counters on Brainseeker equal to that card's converted mana cost.
0/0
Inspired by the fact that U/B still don't have a combat ability in common.
Paranoid Wizard - 2U
Creature -- Human Wizard (C)
Paranoia (Whenever Paranoid Wizard becomes the target of a spell or ability, return it to its owner's hand.)
2/2
Paranoid Researcher - 2UU
Creature -- Human Wizard (U)
Paranoia
Whenever Paranoid Researcher enters the battlefield, draw a card, then discard a card.
2/2
Shy Bones - B
Creature -- Skeleton (C)
Paranoia
1/1
Necrosis Lich - 2BB
Creature -- Zombie Wizard (U)
Paranoia
Whenever ? enters the battlefield, target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
3/1
It's nice to still see you here, Pharmalade! I never liked designing blue, either, for some reason I always got stuck in the same tropes. These are very clever cards though, I like Borrowed Time and Manufactured Friend, and I agree with the prior poster that the creature should be sacrificed for consistency's sake.
Goblin Fighting Cage - 1RR
Enchantment (R)
Each turn, you may skip your combat step. If you do, you may have a creature you control fight target creature an opponent controls.
Battle Royal - 3R
Enchantment (R) 4: A creature you control fights target creature an opponent controls. Any player may play this ability.
If only one player controls creatures, sacrifice Battle Royal. If you do, that player puts two +1/+1 counters on each creature that player controls.
Eject - 1W
Instant (U)
Choose one or both: Exile target creature that fought this turn; or draw a card.
Jungle Patrol - 2GG
Creature -- Elf Warrior (U)
When Jungle Patrol enters the battlefield, it fights target creature an opponent controls.
3/2
Survival of the Fittest (Not the Exodus One) - 2G
Enchantment (R)
When Survival of the Fittest enters the battlefield, a creature you control fights target creature an opponent controls.
Whenever a creature fights, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Bountiful Mulch - 4GG
Sorcery (C) Rummage -- Look at the top five cards of your library. Discard any number of them, then put the rest on top of your library in any order.
Draw a card for each land card discarded in this way.
Glittering Butterflies - W
Creature -- Insect (C)
Flying
Reincarnate 3W(3W, Exile Glittering Butterflies from your graveyard: Return target creature card in your graveyard that shares a color with Glittering Butterflies to your hand.)
1/1
Influential Researcher -- 1UU
Creature -- Human Wizard (C) Influence -- When Influential Researcher enters the battlefield, you may have target creature you control become a copy of Influential Researcher until end of turn. T: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/2
Holyroot Orator -- GW
Creature -- Human Soldier Cleric (C)
Enhance (Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay :symgw:. If you do, that creature enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
2/2
These cards are based on existing cards. They might seem based on more than one card, but there is one specific card I'm looking for. I am not responsible for reused names or exact clones of existing cards. 1 point for guessing the correct answer for each card. (The points don't matter.) Sexiness of cards created, as with all Eliminator thread posts, not guaranteed.
Bind in Death - 1BB
Enchantment (U)
When Bind in Death enters the battlefield, return target creature card in a graveyard to the battlefield. That card is paired with Bind in Death.
When Bind in Death leaves the battlefield, the controller of the creature paired with Bind in Death sacrifices it.
Serpent Vapors - 3U
Enchantment -- Aura (C)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has islandwalk, is 5/5, and can't attack unless six or more Islands are on the battlefield.
Verdant Wish - 1G
Sorcery (R)
You may choose a green card you own from outside the game or exile, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. Exile Verdant Wish.
Centaur Breeder - 1G
Creature -- Elf Shaman (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you don't control any Centaurs, put a 3/3 Centaur Soldier creature token onto the battlefield.
0/1
Worldshape - 3W
Sorcery (R)
Choose a card type. Each player sacrifices a permanent of that type.
Retrace
1
Mama Bear - 2GG
Creature -- Bear (R)
Whenever a creature deals damage to a creature you control with less power than Mama Bear, Mama Bear fights that creature.
4/4
Barbearian - RG
Creature -- Bear (U)
When Barbearian enters the battlefield, it fights target creature you don't control.
2/2
Honeyseeker - 1GG
Creature -- Bear (U)
Flash
When Honeyseeker enters the battlefield, until end of turn, all +1/+1 counters that would be placed on other creatures are placed on Honeyseeker instead.
2/2
Brainseeker - 2BB
Creature -- Zombie Bear (R)
When Brainseeker enters the battlefield, look at target opponent's hand and choose a card from it. That player discards that card, and put +1/+1 counters on Brainseeker equal to that card's converted mana cost.
0/0
1
Thought Ransom - 1U
Instant (U)
Target spell's controller chooses one--
At Knifepoint - 2R
Sorcery (U)
Target opponent chooses one--
1
Paranoid Wizard - 2U
Creature -- Human Wizard (C)
Paranoia (Whenever Paranoid Wizard becomes the target of a spell or ability, return it to its owner's hand.)
2/2
Paranoid Researcher - 2UU
Creature -- Human Wizard (U)
Paranoia
Whenever Paranoid Researcher enters the battlefield, draw a card, then discard a card.
2/2
Shy Bones - B
Creature -- Skeleton (C)
Paranoia
1/1
Necrosis Lich - 2BB
Creature -- Zombie Wizard (U)
Paranoia
Whenever ? enters the battlefield, target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
3/1
1
1
Enchantment (R)
Each turn, you may skip your combat step. If you do, you may have a creature you control fight target creature an opponent controls.
Battle Royal - 3R
Enchantment (R)
4: A creature you control fights target creature an opponent controls. Any player may play this ability.
If only one player controls creatures, sacrifice Battle Royal. If you do, that player puts two +1/+1 counters on each creature that player controls.
Eject - 1W
Instant (U)
Choose one or both: Exile target creature that fought this turn; or draw a card.
Jungle Patrol - 2GG
Creature -- Elf Warrior (U)
When Jungle Patrol enters the battlefield, it fights target creature an opponent controls.
3/2
Survival of the Fittest (Not the Exodus One) - 2G
Enchantment (R)
When Survival of the Fittest enters the battlefield, a creature you control fights target creature an opponent controls.
Whenever a creature fights, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Changed Survival to ryzorz's suggestion.
1
Sorcery (C)
Rummage -- Look at the top five cards of your library. Discard any number of them, then put the rest on top of your library in any order.
Draw a card for each land card discarded in this way.
Glittering Butterflies - W
Creature -- Insect (C)
Flying
Reincarnate 3W (3W, Exile Glittering Butterflies from your graveyard: Return target creature card in your graveyard that shares a color with Glittering Butterflies to your hand.)
1/1
Influential Researcher -- 1UU
Creature -- Human Wizard (C)
Influence -- When Influential Researcher enters the battlefield, you may have target creature you control become a copy of Influential Researcher until end of turn.
T: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/2
Holyroot Orator -- GW
Creature -- Human Soldier Cleric (C)
Enhance (Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay :symgw:. If you do, that creature enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
2/2
1
Bind in Death - 1BB
Enchantment (U)
When Bind in Death enters the battlefield, return target creature card in a graveyard to the battlefield. That card is paired with Bind in Death.
When Bind in Death leaves the battlefield, the controller of the creature paired with Bind in Death sacrifices it.
Serpent Vapors - 3U
Enchantment -- Aura (C)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has islandwalk, is 5/5, and can't attack unless six or more Islands are on the battlefield.
Verdant Wish - 1G
Sorcery (R)
You may choose a green card you own from outside the game or exile, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. Exile Verdant Wish.
Centaur Breeder - 1G
Creature -- Elf Shaman (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you don't control any Centaurs, put a 3/3 Centaur Soldier creature token onto the battlefield.
0/1
Worldshape - 3W
Sorcery (R)
Choose a card type. Each player sacrifices a permanent of that type.
Retrace