It seems like you are presenting two different problems now Fluff. Bears aren't as useful/needed as they should be, and many high level bears do more harm than good foe the party. I only partially agree with the first part. For simply clearing the map, a good bear can dramatically speed things up in my experience, mostly due to well timed and placed beckoning. Two mages and a bird or two will easily take down any group the bear pulls together quickly. Another mage's AOE is just overkill and would only be needed if mobs were more spread out (lack of a good bear). As for the second point, I agree. There are many really disruptive or just plain useless bears playing in BS, who don't aggressively take the lead and know how to use their skills. Does that mean bears are dead? I don't think so necessarily. They are just misinformed or don't understand their role.