ExploreExplore | Art by Maojin Lee

The main set of Avatar: The Last Airbender is filled with some amazing commons and uncommons, but the Avatar Jumpstart product is also here to give it a run for its money. There're some amazing new cards as well as plenty of incredible reprints that're hidden in the bulk of these packs.

So, join me, Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as we look at these great spells that you'll want to throw in your decks.

New White Cards

Every deck needs ways to get rid of artifacts and enchantments, which is why Inspired InsurgentInspired Insurgent is on this list. If you have a deck that's centered around creature strategies, then attaching that type of removal to a body can be more beneficial than casting a noncreature version of that effect.

Decks for The Jolly Balloon ManThe Jolly Balloon Man would probably like this Insurgent in their ranks, since you can copy it, then sacrifice it for that removal effect.

An archetype you'll see represented a lot on this list is +1/+1 counter decks, and the first entry into that category today is The Duke, Rebel SentryThe Duke, Rebel Sentry. He enters the battlefield with a counter on him, and he can also tap, remove a counter, and give something hexproof and a counter.

If you have a deck that can put more counters on The Duke, like Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill, then you could do that over and over again.

Sure, Kindly CustomerKindly Customer might not be the craziest new card we talk about today, but it'll still find its way into plenty of decks. Blink strategies love little value creatures like this to start drawing more cards as early as turn two. Plus, Human decks sometimes just want more creatures with that type on the board, so drawing a card in the process is icing on the creature type cake.

If you have a Kyler, Sigardian EmissaryKyler, Sigardian Emissary deck in your collection, this Customer might be a great include.

White Reprints

Our first reprint of the day is Valorous StanceValorous Stance, which has new art capturing one of my favorite moments in the entire Avatar Series. This spell not only adds some protection to your deck, but it also brings along some creature removal to help you get rid of a big threat.

When it comes to blink decks, CloudshiftCloudshift is an absolute staple. One mana to reuse a creature's entering ability is a great rate, especially if you cast it to help save a creature and fizzle someone's removal spell.

On top of that, this Avatar themed art highlights a very funny moment from the show, even if it doesn't look like it at first glance.

New Blue Cards

Our first blue card today is Princess YuePrincess Yue, who brings a little bit of card selection and ramp to the mix. When you pair this legend with a commander like Kels, Fight FixerKels, Fight Fixer who loves sacrificing creatures, you can consistently turn Yue into the moon.

A colorless land that can scry 2 is pretty nice to have around, but you get extra style points if you run this in a deck that can also run That's Rough BuddyThat's Rough Buddy (just read the flavor text on that one if you don't get the reference).

Blue Reprints

First up for the blue reprints we have an instant that lends itself to being the genesis of several combos: Dramatic ReversalDramatic Reversal. Even when this spell is utilized in a non-game ending way, it can still put in a lot of work. At instant speed, you can untap all your creatures, mana rocks, and other utility permanents on your board for only two mana.

One of my favorite cards in all of Magic is Frantic SearchFrantic Search, which is catching a reprint with some truly heartbreaking art.

I love running this card in my blue decks, since it feels almost free to include. It's great for when you're looking for an answer in a game, or if you kept a risky hand, since you can draw two then discard two and untap three lands.

It's time to ask the question: Is ConsiderConsider a staple card, or draft chaff? If you ask the over two hundred thousand players on EDHREC who run this card, they'll tell you just how powerful this spell is. When it comes to the art on the card, we get to see everyone's favorite uncle as he tried to decide if that flower he's looking at is poisonous, or delicious; truly something serious to consider.

Here's an enchantment that has brought a lot of card advantage to evasive decks everywhere. Coastal PiracyCoastal Piracy draws you a card whenever one of your creatures hits an opponent, which can shift games to your favor as the match goes on. Plus, this reprint shows off some scurvy dogs from a pivotal episode in the series.

Our last blue reprint today needs no introduction, because BrainstormBrainstorm has been a staple in any format it's touched since it was first printed. There's been countless opinions out there on how to best stack a Brainstorm pile, but like the moment that this art is capturing from the show will tell you, sometimes the true nature of things will reveal themselves to you...

New Black Cards

Our first and only new black card today is a strong one-drop that has the ability to come back later in the game. Purple PentapusPurple Pentapus enters and surveils 1, which is helpful for sculpting the top of your library. Then, if it ends up in your graveyard, you can bring it back out for three mana and tapping a creature, which means that you always have a trick to pull out of your sleeve in a game.

I'm looking to throw this little critter in my Nethroi, Apex of DeathNethroi, Apex of Death deck since it can help fill my graveyard, as well as bring some more value when I recur it from my bin.

Black Reprints

When it comes to Aristocrat decks, Bastion of RemembranceBastion of Remembrance is an all-star player. Not only does it come with a token when it enters, but it also gives you the triggers necessary for lowering your opponents' life totals in the process.

As for the art on this card, here's a little tip: If you want to see an Avatar fan shed a tear, just show them this card and it'll unlock some deeply repressed emotions.

We've gotten many cards that have a similar effect to DiresightDiresight, but that doesn't mean that this common should collect dust in your bulk bin. Surveilling 2 then drawing two is a great way to dig yourself out of a sticky situation you might find yourself in.

Plus, we get to see an important moment in the show, where Avatar Roku reveals that Aang needs to save the world sooner rather than later.

When it comes to enchantment removal in black, Feed the SwarmFeed the Swarm is one of the few cards that can assist your deck with that kind of interaction. This spell is also flexible, since it can get rid of a creature if you need that in a pinch.

Even though these buzzard-wasps are a major nuisance in the show, this card might just save you the game when you have it around.

This next spell is a staple in a lot of different strategies. Dark DealDark Deal makes everyone discard their hand and draw all but one of them back, which makes it great in wheel and graveyard decks.

The new art captures the moment where a certain Earth Kingdom character makes the ultimate mistake of trusting Azula... Just remember, Azula Always LiesAzula Always Lies!

New Red Cards

When I first saw this card, I had to read it several times because I thought I must've missed something. Which wasn't the case, Longshot, Rebel BowmanLongshot, Rebel Bowman is just that good. This is mono-red legend pairs mana reduction with a way to close out the game, which is such an incredible combo, especially in a Spellslinger deck like ones built around Stella Lee, Wild CardStella Lee, Wild Card.

Whenever I evaluate a Saga, I try to weigh just how impactful the first chapter is versus everything else, which at first glance made Founding of OmashuFounding of Omashu not seem too strong.

Something to note for this card however is that it makes two Ally tokens, which carry a lot of power on its own. Then you add some card selection and a power buff to the mix, and this enchantment can put in some good work for your decks, especially if you're planning on building around Sokka, Tenacious TacticianSokka, Tenacious Tactician, who loves noncreature spells and Allies.

Something red decks constantly look for is a way to give haste. That's why Moku, Meandering DrummerMoku, Meandering Drummer is such a slam dunk in a lot of those decks. It offers you an ability to let your creatures attack right away, and even buff himself up all for only one mana as early as turn two. Including this in a Judith, Carnage ConnoisseurJudith, Carnage Connoisseur deck could help those tokens you make get aggressive right away, plus you know that the Rakdos Circus is always looking for new people to play the drums.

Red Reprints

Self-discard decks have become more and more powerful over the last few years, and a staple in a lot of those lists is Cathartic ReunionCathartic Reunion. Discarding two cards and drawing three for such a cheap cost helps ensure that you're throwing away the cards you don't need at that time and replacing them with even more spells that'll be useful in the moment.

Plus, this scene is truly one of the most emotional moments in the entire show...

Combat tricks aren't played too often in Commander, but Fists of FlameFists of Flame sets itself above the rest for two major reasons. First, it draws you a card. And secondly, it buffs up a creature while also giving it trample. Both of those things together can help close out a game.

Also, this highlights Zuko in his early days during the show, when his emotions were even harder to control.

Here's another great moment captured from the series, when Uncle Iroh literally Bolt BendBolt Bends Azula's lightning. This redirection spell is used quite often in Commander, and for good reason. All you need is a creature with power four or greater, and you can spend one red mana to send somebody's removal spell somewhere else.

New Green Cards

When this enchantment enters, it animates one of your lands. Then it offers up a Hardened ScalesHardened Scales-like effect, giving you an additional +1/+1 counter whenever one of your cards is looking for more. Something like that is especially helpful if you're building around Toph, Hardheaded TeacherToph, Hardheaded Teacher, since it'll make your land creatures even bigger whenever you cast a spell.

Mana creatures are pivotal in many creature-based decks in the format, since they add both ramp and a body to the board. Animal AttendantAnimal Attendant assists you with fixing your mana, while at the same time adding counters to the non-Human creatures it helps you cast. Which makes this great in a deck with Grumgully, the GenerousGrumgully, the Generous at the head, adding even more counters to the mix.

Next up we have Earthbending StudentEarthbending Student, which offers support to decks that are out to turn their lands into creatures. Even though those types of builds might've been more niche in the past, they're likely to get a major boost to their ranks due to all these earthbending legends. Giving your land creatures vigilance is helpful, since you can send them into combat, and then tap them for mana in your second main phase.

Jolrael, Voice of ZhalfirJolrael, Voice of Zhalfir will definitely be excited to have those Bird-lands get another great keyword with this Student.

Green Reprints

We've talked a lot about +1/+1 counter decks today, so be sure to protect those builds with a card like Inspiring CallInspiring Call. This spell is so pivotal for counter-based decks, since it not only saves your board, but it also refills your hand in the process. You can even cast it during your combat, so you can swing through with a protected team of big beaters.

Plus, who out there hasn't been inspired by Uncle Iroh at least once throughout the show?

Well, my vote for the card that has the best pairing of art with flavor is this reprint of ExploreExplore. During the show, we travel with Aang and Appa as they fly around the world, and it's all captured right here on this card.

On top of that, it's just a great ramp spell that replaces itself, making it strong in the early game and even the late game when you're digging for answers.

The Wrap Up

There you have it, the best commons and uncommons from the Avatar Jumpstart product. If you're looking to crack some of these packs, be sure to grab a friend first, and play a few games with the packs. This set is truly filled with some powerful reprints, which should make for some wild games.

If you've been primarily opening boosters of the main set, be sure to check out my article covering the best bulk cards hidden in those packs right here!