Incinerating Tyranny With a Fire Lord Zuko Commander Deck

The Cabbage Merchant Budget Commander Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avatar Aang|tla|363" href="#" target="_blank">Avatar Aang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CBryan+Konietzko%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryan Konietzko</a></em></p>
<p><em>Avatar:</em><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em> The Last Airbender</em> </span>has many beloved characters. Whether your favorite character is someone small like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Cabbage Merchant" href="#" target="_blank">The Cabbage Merchant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or everyone's best boy <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sokka, Bold Boomeranger" href="#" target="_blank">Sokka, Bold Boomeranger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we all have someone to love.</p>
<p>With the upcoming collaboration between <em>Magic </em>and <em>Avatar,</em> there's currently no shortage of fan favorites featured on cards. There are some characters outside of the GAANG (Aang and his main friends) that I think <em>need</em> to be featured on a card.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at who I believe are the 10 Characters from ATLA that need a card.</p>
<h2>1.) The Blue Spirit</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The_Blue_Spirit_and_Aang.webp" alt="The Blue Spirit" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Blue Spirit. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>This is my favorite side character from the show. From the dual swords and the high-pressure rescue of Aang from a prison cell, The Blue Spirit hits hard and hits fast. If The Blue Spirit were put onto a card, I would imagine it finding a home with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>So far, we've seen the "bad guys" contained within the black and red colors. But The Blue Spirit is not all bad. No Spoilers for the show, but I'm hoping this card will <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with the ability to slot into an established archetype: Ninjas.</p>
<h2>2.) Painted Lady</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Painted_Lady.webp" alt="Painted Lady" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Painted Lady. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Is she real or is she merely a myth? Either way, the stories of The Painted Lady are known throughout the land. Keeping with the "characters in disguise" motif of the list, this is my second choice.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Since The Painted Lady is a mysterious spirit, I would want to see just that: a Spirit creature. Most likely a blue card, but possibly some combination of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to fit in a deck led by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Throw on protection from red, perhaps, or some way to directly counter the Fire Nation characters in the set.</p>
<h2>3.) Jet</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Jet.webp" alt="Jet" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Jet. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>First, we love him. Then we hate him. The leader of a band of Freedom Fighters and a romantic roadblock for Aang and Katara, Jet is too cool not to get a card.</p>
<p>As a citizen of the Earth Kingdom, Jet would be green and, thanks to helping out Team Avatar in the show, would have the Ally typing. His hook swords would allow him to block flyers, and since he's pretty agile, maybe he has some alternative way to get him on the battlefield.</p>
<p>If you play a Jet deck, you automatically become the archenemy and the coolest person in the commander pod.</p>
<h2>4.) Hama</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Sinister_Hama.webp" alt="Hama Bloodbender" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Hama. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>The first and, for a long time, only Bloodbender, and possibly the most terrifying character in the show in the show, Hama would be the only "evil" blue card in the set. Since this is a <em>Universes Beyond</em> set, I feel that the rules can be bent, and for Hama, I want some strange casting cost.</p>
<p>While she originally hails from the Southern Water Tribe and is not inherently an evil character, I imagine a Grixis casting cost. Something like <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. I have a feeling that if we see this character, it will be a sleeper hit.</p>
<h2>5.) Koh the Face Stealer</h2>
<div style="width: 454px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Koh_and_Kuruk.webp" alt="Koh and Kuruk" width="444" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Koh the Face Stealer. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>A vindictive spirit tasked with punishing those who do wrong by stealing their faces, Koh is one of the easiest characters to transfer to <em>Magic</em>. A Spirit Shapeshifter and unsurprisingly blue, the most popular <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/shapeshifters/mono-blue">color</a> to play every copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clone" href="#" target="_blank">Clone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Koh should do something to or with the creature you copy, unlike most of the clones players are used to. Maybe as simple as giving an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evil Twin" href="#" target="_blank">Evil Twin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ability or possibly cloning a creature by stealing it and putting it into exile.</p>
<h2>6.) Combustion Man</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Combustion_Man27s_attack.webp" alt="Sparky Sparky Boom Man" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Combustion Man. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>The strong and silent type. Combustion Man, aka Sparky Sparky Boom Man, is a Firebender of a different kind. Rather than the typical flame manipulation seen in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuko&#039;s Offense" href="#" target="_blank">Zuko&#039;s Offense</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Iroh, Firebending Instructor" href="#" target="_blank">Iroh, Firebending Instructor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Combustion Man uses his head.</p>
<p>Other than being a red card and having the Firebending ability, I'm not sure what this card might do. I think this character should interact with other cards that Firebend, but I don't think it should add mana. To me, this character should be what you reach for to store that mana. Think of Sparky Sparky Boom Man as the red version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omnath, Locus of Mana" href="#" target="_blank">Omnath, Locus of Mana</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Getting stronger the more fire that's "stored up" seems like a decent way to translate character to card.</p>
<h2>7.) June</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nyla.webp" alt="June and Nyla " width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">June and Nyla. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>The bounty hunter June and her mount, Nyla. Sometimes a card builds itself. June would utilize the mount ability; unfortunately, this means that if it were mono-red, it would lose out on synergy. Cards with mount tend to work better in <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> under commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Miriam, Herd Whisperer" href="#" target="_blank">Miriam, Herd Whisperer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. However, there are red options, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kolodin, Triumph Caster" href="#" target="_blank">Kolodin, Triumph Caster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Adding a mount might make June too restrictive, but it's such a big part of the character that if not a mount, then we have to do partner with.</p>
<h2>8.) Wan Shi Tong</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Wan_Shi_Tong.webp" alt="Big Owl" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Wan Shi Tong. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>The knower of ten thousand things, Wan Shi Tong, would make a perfect <em>Magic</em> card. The most interesting thing would be what creature type he would be given. While looking like an owl within the show, Wan Shi Tong qualifies as a spirit. Naturally, Bird Spirit would be the creature typing. But I think there should be one more.</p>
<p>In <em>Magic,</em> there's a creature type I see associated with knowledge more than any other, that being the Sphinx. This would allow us to have the first-ever Creature - Bird Sphinx Spirit in the game.</p>
<p>On top of that, Wan Shi Tong seems to fit the best within the <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> color combination. A common color for all things Birds and Sphinxes in the game, and featuring cards depicting owls like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Judge&#039;s Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Judge&#039;s Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>9.) Jeong Jeong</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Jeong_Jeong_serious.webp" alt="The Diserter" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Jeong Jeong. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>In his quest to become the Avatar, master of the four elements, Aang needed many teachers. Unfortunately for Aang, Jeong Jeong wasn't destined to be his teacher. Jeong Jeong refused to teach Aang Firebending due to his lack of discipline.</p>
<p>He's all about discipline in the show, but at the same time is reluctant to fight. If all the cards end up having the same attention to flavor as something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sokka&#039;s Haiku" href="#" target="_blank">Sokka&#039;s Haiku</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, then Jeong Jeong would be akin to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflame Wall" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflame Wall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> — stubborn with high toughness but having the ability to attack and trigger firebending.</p>
<h2>10.) The Boulder</h2>
<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The_Boulder_taunting.webp" alt="The Boulder" width="333" height="250" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Boulder. Image credit to Nickelodeon</p></div>
<p>Last up on the list is truly a fan favorite. The Boulder would lead the most self-referential deck in existence due to the character always talking in the third person. But that wouldn't stop it from being powerful. As possibly the second strongest in terms of raw strength behind Toph when it comes to Earthbending, he's not easy to push around.</p>
<p>Mono-green is the way to go for The Boulder, and because of how enjoyable this character is, I think we can throw on indestructible. As of now, the largest number for earthbending is four, as seen on the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earthbending Lesson" href="#" target="_blank">Earthbending Lesson</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I say we kick that number up a bit to a nice, healthy six. Why not let The Boulder have the most raw numbers when it comes to earthbending?</p>
<p>I imagine this would be the type of card that won't overwhelm you with gameplay power, but will lead to an enjoyable game experience every time you play.</p>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>These are the top 10 characters from <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> that we need to see cards of. Do I like my chances of going 10/10 on this list? Yes, I do. Will I be disappointed if I'm off base? We will see.</p>
<p>Many cards excite me from the set so far, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toph, the First Metalbender" href="#" target="_blank">Toph, the First Metalbender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Lord Zuko" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Lord Zuko</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Redirect Lightning" href="#" target="_blank">Redirect Lightning</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But I want to know, are you excited for the set? What are you hoping to build in Standard or Commander? Is there a character that I missed on my list that you think should get a card? Let me know in the comments or over on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nicnax96.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bluesky</a>.</p>
<p>For now, we have to wait and see what the final set of 2025 shapes up to be. Until then, keep up on your quest to become The Avatar and save the world.</p>
<h3>More <em>Avatar</em>:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="zzqLqSKOhb"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/avatar-the-last-airbender-beginner-box-contents-revealed/">Avatar: The Last Airbender - Beginner Box Contents Revealed</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="jkZoWBSxCq"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-ally-deck-with-katara-the-fearless/">Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-ally-deck-with-katara-the-fearless/embed/#?secret=lV47lG6xmh#?secret=jkZoWBSxCq" data-secret="jkZoWBSxCq" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


10 Characters From Avatar: The Last Airbender That Need a Card

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Airbending Lesson" href="#" target="_blank">Airbending Lesson</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pisukev/"><strong>Pisukev</strong></a></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>On Thursday, August 15th, a news outlet revealed the contents of the Beginner Box for <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>'s <em>Universes Beyond</em> crossover expansion. With this reveal, the outlet purportedly revealed over 100 new cards. This absolute glut of new spoilers is massive. For that reason, we're going to showcase only our favorites in this article. But what are those faves? Read on, and we'll show you!</p>
<h2><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> Beginner Box Spoilers Ahead</h2>
<p>On August 15th, news outlet IGN <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/avatar-the-last-airbender-magic-the-gathering-beginner-box-card-reveal-spoilers">showcased every single card</a> from the Beginner Box for <em>MTGTLA</em>. The cards therein are divided into ten 20-card intro packs, similar to Jumpstart products but intended not to be shuffled. Between all ten packs, there are around 100 newly-revealed cards to look at. These cards are mainly geared towards beginning players, but nevertheless there are a few surprisingly-strong cards within the box.</p>
<p>As such, let's go over some favorites, either for lore reasons or for mechanical potential in various formats. Some of these cards exude truly superb <em>Avatar</em> flavor and some are just pretty great gameplay-wise.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Airbending Lesson"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="It&#039;ll Quench Ya!"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azula Always Lies"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dai Li Indoctrination"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heartless Act"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="How to Start a Riot"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zuko, Exiled Prince"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bender&#039;s Waterskin"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bender&#039;s Waterskin" href="#" target="_blank">Bender&#039;s Waterskin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, in particular, looks like it's quite powerful for a 3-mana rock, especially in formats like Pauper or Commander. Keeping mana open for the sake of facilitating interaction is always welcome, and the Waterskin does just that.</p>
<p>In any event, this set seems quite strong, even at a rudimentary learning level. There is little doubt that the art, lore, and mechanics will all come together to bring in a lot of fans of this iconic animated Nickelodeon show.</p>
<p>But now we'd like to hear from you, dear readers. Are you interested in purchasing the <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> Beginner Box, either for you or a new player? What cards within it appeal the most to you? Sound off below!</p>


Avatar: The Last Airbender - Beginner Box Contents Revealed

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image credit: Viacom</em></p>
<p>If you've clicked on this article, chances are you want to know more about elemental bending, the abilities driving the plot of the <em>Avatar</em> television series. More specifically, you probably want to know about bending as it's depicted in <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>'s set, <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>.</p>
<p>Either way, in this article, I'll explain the four primary bending techniques and how they correspond with both real-world martial arts <em>and</em> the card game's portrayal of those techniques.</p>
<h2>Bending in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></h2>
<p>To begin, let's discuss the ideas behind bending as it's shown in the television series. I'll go over how each technique is <em>typically</em> used (as some outliers do exist). Then, I'll discuss the way the show applies any outlier bending techniques.</p>
<h3>Waterbending</h3>
<p>First, let's talk about waterbending. In <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>, water is a mutable, decidedly versatile element to utilize. We see many different forms of waterbending in the show. Katara, the main practitioner and one of the show's protagonists, is seen utilizing it most avidly. She can freeze water into ice to encage foes or force locks open, and she can melt ice to free captives.</p>
<p>Most commonly seen, Katara commands water to act as a whip or shield for offense or defense.</p>
<p>The technique of waterbending is a very passive one. Katara, for example, moves with the same fluidity as the element she manipulates. In this respect, Katara <em>is</em>, in essence, one with the water.</p>
<h3>Earthbending</h3>
<p>Next, earthbending is the manipulation of the very ground below one's feet. It's also the manipulation of rock, stone, sand, mud, and brick. To this end, I want to bring up Toph. Toph is a blind character (and, frankly, excellent disabled representation in the context of the show outside of the magical realism of it all!). However, she can use earthbending skills to sense a <em>lot</em> of things that the main characters cannot. This includes intent and even pulse.</p>
<p>However, the main usage of earthbending is, like waterbending, encasement, trapping, and also many forms of offense.</p>
<p>For Toph, all tremorsense aside, earthbending is a technique that demands its practitioner be as stubborn as the rocks they're moving. To embrace that is to embrace the technique.</p>
<h3>Firebending</h3>
<p>Firebending in <em>Avatar</em> is an aggressive, generally quick-footed style that places much emphasis on the outer extremities of the body. A firebender will make the most of fire as an extension of their arms and legs.</p>
<p>Shielding oneself is one way to make use of the technique, but the style is primarily used in offense in the context of the show.</p>
<p>Zuko, the show's longstanding antagonist for a majority of the series, is a remarkable study of a typical firebending style. He utilizes fire, again, as an extension of his body, able to reach his adversaries from afar, either with flame shots or with lengthened fire weapons.</p>
<h3>Airbending</h3>
<p>Finally, we come to airbending. We see this style the least within the show, because outside of flashbacks, Aang is the only surviving practitioner of the technique. Airbending sees its users in constant motion, able to manipulate the air they generate in order to force movement in obstacles or targets.</p>
<p>Airbenders are typically nonviolent combatants (if Aang, the sole example, is truly exemplary of the style). This form generally focuses on movement over offense.</p>
<h3>Bending Outliers</h3>
<p>Many outliers to the four elements of bending exist in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>. For example, Toph, an earthbender, can not only utilize tremorsense to aid her amid her disability, but she can also bend metal with her bending powers. This takes a different approach from the usual styles of earthbending, and therefore it is an outlier to that style.</p>
<p>Additionally, Azula, Zuko's sister and another major antagonist, can bend lightning. This style incorporates forms found outside of typical firebending practices.</p>
<p>Bloodbending is yet another outlying bending style. Waterbenders are at their strongest under the light of the full moon, as the moon dictates the pull of the tides. At this time, waterbenders can manipulate many kinds of liquid, the most notable being blood. Doing so, a bloodbender can manipulate the blood in a body, forcing people to do things they wouldn't otherwise wish to do. Truly, bloodbending is a horrifying act in this setting. People in the setting often look upon the practice with terror and/or scorn.</p>
<p>Beyond the four main bending techniques, Aang is also an energybender, meaning he can manipulate the full flow of energy to great effect. Aang is the first person in the canon to utilize energybending, and it is as large an outlier as one might expect.</p>
<h2>Application in Real-World Martial Arts</h2>
<p>The bending techniques of <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> draw inspiration from various kinds of real-world martial arts. For more information on how the animated combat choreography incorporates these techniques, you can read up on this <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a32689010/avatar-the-last-airbender-martial-arts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>I won't be discussing the many outliers in this section. However, in addition to the aforementioned article, I have laid out the basics of the primary bending analogues below:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Waterbending</strong> takes its forms and motions from tai chi, a passive martial art. The form values motion and control over aggression, which makes it a perfect analogue for the show's typical waterbending style.</li>
<li><strong>Earthbending</strong> derives its movements and forms from Hung Gar, a martial art that focuses heavily on planting one's body and rooting their stance in place.</li>
<li><strong>Firebending</strong> takes its inspiration from Northern Shaolin martial arts, which utilizes aggressive stances and emphasizes the use of one's limbs in combat. It is directly and diametrically opposed to the way Tai Chi operates, which helps dichotomize it with waterbending in the show.</li>
<li><strong>Airbending</strong> is based on Baguazhang, a Chinese martial art that focuses on encircling opponents and the act of coiling and uncoiling around opposition. Circular footwork is key for this style, and this can be seen extensively in Aang's movements in the show's combat scenes.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Bending in <em>Magic: The Gathering</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Aang"></div></div>
<p>The martial arts that the bending styles are derived from in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> are a far cry from the way bending is portrayed in the <em>Magic</em> set. The set shows bending more as a traditional magical source than a martial one. This is mostly because in <em>Avatar</em>, bending is inherently not magical, but needs to be shown as such in this card game's context.</p>
<p>We've gone over the flavor of bending in a very thorough way here; now, let's look at how these bending mechanics work in the upcoming set through explanations from a press release sent out recently by <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>:</p>
<h3>Waterbending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some spells and abilities have you waterbend as part of their costs. The activated ability of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> requires that you waterbend <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. You must pay <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-x" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and for each generic mana in that cost, you may tap an untapped artifact or creature you control rather than pay that mana.</span></p></blockquote>
<h3>Earthbending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toph, the First Metalbender"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earthbending is a keyword action. Much like how Earthbenders turn the terrain into weapons, you can do the same with the help of spells and abilities that instruct you to earthbend. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toph, the First Metalbender" href="#" target="_blank">Toph, the First Metalbender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you earthbend 2, which turns a target land you control into a 0/0 land creature with haste, then puts two +1/+1 counters on that land. And don't worry; when that land dies or is exiled, it returns as a tapped noncreature land.</span></p></blockquote>
<h3>Firebending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fire Lord Zuko"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Firebending is a keyword ability that turns your aggression into a source of power. That's very flavorful for Firebenders! When a creature with firebending N attacks, you add N <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> mana. That mana doesn't go away until the end of combat, letting you use it on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">any instant-speed activated abilities or spells</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p></blockquote>
<h3>Airbending</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Appa, Steadfast Guardian"></div></div>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Airbend is a keyword action that helps you control the board without getting violent. When you airbend a permanent, you exile it. As long as it remains exiled, its owner may cast it for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> rather than its mana cost. While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Appa, Steadfast Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Appa, Steadfast Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only airbends your permanents, you'll have to wait and see if there are any cards that airbend your </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">opponent's </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">permanents.</span></p></blockquote>
<h2>Are the Magic Mechanics 1-for-1 With <em>ATLA</em>?</h2>
<p>In a word, no. These mechanics, while perfectly fine for what they can represent, don't represent the entire gamut of what bending is capable of in <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>. Put simply, the ability to bend an element has so much versatility in the broad context of martial application that distilling it down to a singular mechanic does not suffice to explain it all.</p>
<p>However, this doesn't mean the abilities as keywords are <em>bad</em>. They just cannot possibly translate 1:1 with the ideas behind the show's driving forces, nor the martial arts that inspired them. Nevertheless, these are interesting mechanics for a game, especially one without as much of a panoptic focus on martial warfare than its source material in this case.</p>
<p>And now, I'd like to hear from you, dear readers. How do <em>you</em> feel about <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>, elemental bending, or how it translated over to <em>Magic</em>? Are you excited for the set, even with <em>Marvel's Spider-Man</em> in front of it in the release queue? Sound off below!</p>
<h3>More <em>Avatar</em>:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Ucequ7LZXq"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-ally-deck-with-katara-the-fearless/">Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-an-ally-deck-with-katara-the-fearless/embed/#?secret=1pp3XJ36Z1#?secret=Ucequ7LZXq" data-secret="Ucequ7LZXq" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Avatar: The Last Airbender's Bending Mechanics, Explained

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/yueko" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yueko</a></em></p>
<p>Among the deluge of <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/marvels-spider-man-the-newest-san-diego-comic-con-reveals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Spider-Man </em>cards spoiled at the San Diego Comic Con</a> was an early preview for the <em>Avatar: the Last Airbender</em> set coming out this fall, in the form of a promo card, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (though it's unconfirmed, it's expected that Katara will be in the upcoming <em>Avatar </em>set, though probably with different art, to retain the exclusiveness of the promo).</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Katara, the Fearless"></div></div>
<p>Yes, you read that right: there was a card spoiled right before the prerelease of the set before the set the card is from. Cue the Xzibit “Yo Dawg” meme. Jokes aside, the card is powerful, flavorful, and represents the best support an underwhelming creature type has received in quite some time.</p>
<p>Allies are one of the few creature types to be exciting and fun in 60-card formats, but flounder and fail in Commander. In 60-card formats, Allies succeeded because players could focus on the few forward-moving pieces and had a decent curve, both of which were assisted by the four-of rule.</p>
<p>In a highlander format, however, Ally decks often had to play bad cards just because they were Allies and had to run filler cards to get to 100. As a result, Allies were largely watered-down midrange decks with mediocre commanders and terrible mana.</p>
<p>All of that will change when the <em>Avatar</em> set releases.</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<p>Put simply, Katara gives her Allies hope. Even if there aren’t any new Allies in the <em>Avatar</em> set (which seems unlikely; we've already seen <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yue, the Moon Spirit" href="#" target="_blank">Yue, the Moon Spirit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), or the Allies don’t function synergistically (like the unfortunate cohort mechanic), Katara rallies the troops with inspirational speeches, sometimes literally with the rally mechanic.</p>
<p>Katara is like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roaming Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Roaming Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for just Allies, and, given other similar effects being printed recently, she gives the creature type a critical mass of similar effects. Since she can be in the command zone, she can finally give Allies a commander that celebrates what Allies do: enter the field of battle side by side.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Roaming Throne"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="General Tazri"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Munda, Ambush Leader"></div></div>
<p>Prior to Katara, Allies were in a rough spot in terms of determining a commander. They either had to go five-color with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Tazri" href="#" target="_blank">General Tazri</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or Boros with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Munda, Ambush Leader" href="#" target="_blank">Munda, Ambush Leader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Two colors for Munda would be too few to make a full deck without using a large amount of changelings; there just aren’t enough Allies to fill the deck out.</p>
<p>Even if there were enough, Munda’s ability is underwhelming: it stacks the top of the library like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Recruiter" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Recruiter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> but with less control. Like Munda, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General Tazri" href="#" target="_blank">General Tazri</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a 3/4. Unlike Munda, Tazri costs an extra mana but gives us the ability to use all five colors.</p>
<p>The increase in options, along with the ability to tutor for an Ally on entering, made Tazri the best available option for Allies. But the inconsistency of a five-color manabase alongside a five-mana commander means that we’re on the slow end of midrange, which is really bad when we need numbers to be effective.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yarok, the Desecrated"></div></div>
<p>Seventeen Ally decks were even desperate enough to turn to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yarok, the Desecrated" href="#" target="_blank">Yarok, the Desecrated</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at the helm, which shows how hard-up Ally decks were for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects.</p>
<p>Getting a commander in-type with just enough colors to support a deck and a relevant ability is a huge boon. That Katara is a three-mana 3/3 is perfect for a creature type looking to be aggressive. Cutting red and black affects the deck minimally, as the primary colors of Allies were Bant (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>)to begin with.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hada Freeblade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Halimar Excavator"></div></div>
<p>Katara is a powerful commander because most Allies have abilities that trigger when an Ally enters the battlefield. Katara doubles these abilities, although some are more powerful than others. Many put counters on themselves when an Ally enters, like the low-to-the-ground <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hada Freeblade" href="#" target="_blank">Hada Freeblade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The real power, however, comes in the form of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Halimar Excavator" href="#" target="_blank">Halimar Excavator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, an unassuming common that is the key to winning through board stalls. When it or another Ally enters, the Excavator mills X, where X is the number of Allies we control. While mill can be a divisive strategy, it is a reasonable pivot here, putting large chunks of libraries into the grave at once.</p>
<p>Back in the day, it was the card that made the archetype tick, acting like a combo deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Starfield Vocalist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Virtue of Knowledge"></div></div>
<p>Katara being a significant step up in power for Allies is a double-edged sword: while she adds a significant amount of power to the deck, she’s also clearly the best Ally in the deck. Without Katara, the Allies are lost, flailing around like Sokka on cactus juice.</p>
<p>As a result, we want a few more copies of Katara’s effect, which also happens to stack. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the originator of the ETB effect doubling and still the hardest to remove, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starfield Vocalist" href="#" target="_blank">Starfield Vocalist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines" href="#" target="_blank">Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Virtue of Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Virtue of Knowledge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have all contributed to the preponderance of similar effects, making it so that a deck like this has enough functional reprints to work without the commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roaming Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Roaming Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, like Katara, doubles any triggered abilities, not just enters effects.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Discovery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Distant Melody"></div></div>
<p>Since Allies care about entering the battlefield, they can develop a board and still need more of a push to win.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerful card draw engine in any blue typal deck, drawing cards on ETB and attacking. It's worth noting that generic ETB doublers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starfield Vocalist" href="#" target="_blank">Starfield Vocalist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will double the discovery triggers, but creature type-dependent doublers, like Katara and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Roaming Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Roaming Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, will not.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Distant Melody" href="#" target="_blank">Distant Melody</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a Pauper all-star and draws a ton of cards, giving the deck a massive mid- to late-game push. It draws cards for each Ally we control, which can fill our hand, dig to a win-con, or just provide a bit of a lift when we need it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oblivion Ring"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grasp of Fate"></div></div>
<p>Since we need to build up counters and do so gradually, we do need to make sure we don’t get outclassed by larger creatures - especially those with evasion. We also need to be able to counter-answer answers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oubliette" href="#" target="_blank">Oubliette</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is one of the more permanent ways of answering problem commanders. In order to remove it, we need ways to get rid of nonland permanents, so it makes sense to lean into the many <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects.</p>
<p>Why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects and not <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path to Exile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or other more cost-effective or flexibly-timed effects? Well, for the same reason <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindred Discovery" href="#" target="_blank">Kindred Discovery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is so potent here: the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects double our ETBs, making our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oblivion Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Oblivion Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grasp of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Grasp of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s, and our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grasp of Fate" href="#" target="_blank">Grasp of Fate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s into incredibly powerful mass removal.</p>
<p>Just watch out for enchantment removal!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Path of Ancestry"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ally Encampment"></div></div>
<p>Our nonbasic lands are mostly based on mana fixing, making sure that we have a mana of each of our colors on turn three to get Katara out early and often. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path of Ancestry" href="#" target="_blank">Path of Ancestry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ally Encampment" href="#" target="_blank">Ally Encampment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are otherwise mediocre lands that provide a bit of hidden advantage.</p>
<p>The repeated scrying from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path of Ancestry" href="#" target="_blank">Path of Ancestry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and subtle reanimation from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ally Encampment" href="#" target="_blank">Ally Encampment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> give us benefits from our mana beyond just casting spells.</p>
<h2>How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, the Fearless" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, the Fearless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>The goal of the deck is to cast Allies early and often, using <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Panharmonicon" href="#" target="_blank">Panharmonicon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects to double the ETBs, either growing the weaker Allies or spreading keyword abilities to all Allies.</p>
<p>The keyword abilities or alternate win-cons, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Halimar Excavator" href="#" target="_blank">Halimar Excavator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, help to break board stalls and enable strong combo-like starts.</p>
<h2>Katara, the Fearless Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Katara, the Fearless EDHREC Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Katara, the Fearless
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Beastcaller Savant
*1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
*1 Graypelt Hunter
*1 Grovetender Druids
*1 Hada Freeblade
*1 Halimar Excavator
*1 Harabaz Druid
*1 Hero of Goma Fada
*1 Joraga Bard
*1 Jwari Shapeshifter
*1 Kabira Evangel
*1 Kazandu Blademaster
*1 Kor Bladewhirl
*1 Kor Entanglers
*1 Lantern Scout
*1 Makindi Patrol
*1 Makindi Shieldmate
*1 Munda&#039;s Vanguard
*1 Ondu Cleric
*1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
*1 Roaming Throne
*1 Sea Gate Loremaster
*1 Seascape Aerialist
*1 Starfield Vocalist
*1 Tajuru Archer
*1 Tajuru Beastmaster
*1 Tajuru Warcaller
*1 Talus Paladin
*1 Titan of Littjara
*1 Turntimber Ranger
*1 Umara Raptor
*1 Veteran Warleader
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Captain&#039;s Claws
*1 Panharmonicon
*1 Vanquisher&#039;s Banner
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Join the Ranks
*1 Kindred Summons
*1 Lae&#039;zel&#039;s Acrobatics
*1 Rally the Ancestors
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Banish to Another Universe
*1 Banishing Light
*1 Buried in the Garden
*1 Conclave Tribunal
*1 Detention Sphere
*1 Elven Chorus
*1 Grasp of Fate
*1 Guardian Project
*1 In the Trenches
*1 Kindred Discovery
*1 Legion Loyalty
*1 Leyline Binding
*1 Oblivion Ring
*1 Reflections of Littjara
*1 Stormplain Detainment
*1 Virtue of Knowledge // Vantress Visions
*1 Zendikar Resurgent
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Another Round
*1 Distant Melody
*1 Selvala&#039;s Stampede
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Ally Encampment
*1 Breeding Pool
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Command Tower
*10 Forest
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*10 Island
*1 Path of Ancestry
*10 Plains
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Spara&#039;s Headquarters
*1 Temple Garden
*1 Unclaimed Territory
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Allies are small creatures with lots of ETB effects, relying on numbers and teamwork to gradually accrue advantage. Katara gives them a three-color commander with a relevant ability, breathing new life into a fun and exciting creature type!</p>


Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imprisoned in the Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Imprisoned in the Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.ryanleeart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Alexander Lee</a></em></p>
<p>There's just so much exciting stuff coming down the pipeline in the back half of 2025. <em>Edge of Eternities </em>is literally <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edge-of-eternities-rules-update-vehicles-can-be-commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changing the rules of Commander</a> with its introduction of legendary Spacecrafts. <em>Spider-Man </em>is already coming in September and if the fervor surrounding <em>Final Fantasy</em> is anything to go off of, the discourse surrounding that set is going to be absolutely bonkers.</p>
<p>But the thing I can't stop looking forward to is the <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> (ATLA) release in November. <em>Avatar</em> is a tremendous show that I love dearly, and from the preview of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avatar Aang" href="#" target="_blank">Avatar Aang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/magiccon-las-vegas-preview-panel-edge-of-eternities-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Wizards of the Coast</em> showed at MagicCon: Las Vegas</a>, it seems that they're really taking the property and running with it in some incredible ways.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Aang"></div></div>
<p>I wouldn't expect anything less from the franchise. The new <em>Avatar Legends</em> roleplaying game is excellent. And <em>The Legend of Korra: Pro-Bending Arena</em> is a board game whose years-long stranglehold over my friend group is as well-earned as it is hard to explain.</p>
<p>Clearly they don't just hand out the license to anyone willing to pay up for it. ATLA produces exclusively high-quality gaming tie-ins, which has ratcheted up my hype for the set past the point that I can keep quiet about it any longer.</p>
<p>To that end, here are some cards I'd love to see reprinted within the <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> set. I've listed them here from easiest direct translation to stretches so wild that I would be not only shocked, but also appalled, to see them put into the set.</p>
<p><strong>WARNING: Avatar spoilers abound below</strong></p>
<h2>Direct Translation Reprints for <em>Avatar</em></h2>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imprisoned in the Moon" href="#" target="_blank">Imprisoned in the Moon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Imprisoned in the Moon"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Tenth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">I&#039;m sorry, I&#039;m so sorry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to start us here. But it's the absolutely the first card I thought of to be put into this set. It's just right there.</p>
<p>Obviously Yue, Sokka's love interest from the end of Season 1, becoming a moon spirit is a sledgehammer to the feelings of any person, young or old, who watches <em>Avatar</em>. Their relationship is well written, and her departure from Sokka's life at the end of the season is one of the most heartbreaking moments of the series.</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/BB8CGkJTESo?si=EoCtsdNdsYRZRuSu&amp;t=188" target="_blank" rel="noopener">And then he tries to tell Zuko about it</a>.</p>
<p>That moment took on a life of its own, becoming one of the show's most enduring memes. It's also an excellent go-to response when someone tells you about work, friend, or commander pod drama. It expresses solidarity while also encouraging them to lighten up.</p>
<p>This card was first printed in <em>Eldritch Moon</em> back in 2016, and every one of its nine printings since has used the original art by Ryan Alexander Lee (except for a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imprisoned in the Moon|sld|1102" href="#" target="_blank">Secret Lair printing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). A new version, perhaps an update to the original by the man himself featuring Sokka and Zuko pondering the moon together, would be extremely choice and a fun easter egg for the set.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deflecting Palm" href="#" target="_blank">Deflecting Palm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deflecting Palm"></div></div>
<p>This card is excellent and doesn't see nearly enough play. A dramatic, last-second Deflecting Palm is one of the absolute best ways to turn the tides in a Commander game. By and large, people just don't see it coming. But it's a perfect marriage of the mantras of white and red to say "Actually, no. And in fact, goodbye."</p>
<p>In a world of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ms. Bumbleflower" href="#" target="_blank">Bumbleflowers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jumbo Cactuar" href="#" target="_blank">Cactaurs</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cori-Steel Cutter" href="#" target="_blank">whatever they have going on in Standard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it's good to have that extra bit of protection in your back pocket.</p>
<p>Deflecting Palm was first printed in <em>Khans of Tarkir</em> back in 2014. Tarkir sets have a lot of fun Monk-based and Elemental cards, which translate well into this set, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of them receive reprints.</p>
<p>This one specifically would be a perfect excuse to pay tribute through new art (this card has used its original art by Eric Deschamps in each of its three printings) to <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TheLastAirbender/comments/ya0jbw/this_shot_of_aang_deflecting_the_explosion_with/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the more visually impressive moments in the show</a>.</p>
<p>Aang's fight with Combusion Man is the cherry on top of an already iconic episode (<em>The Beach</em>), and it's filled with impressive moments. But this one, where the show slows down time to allow us to appreciate Aang airbending around the explosive shot as it detonates, sending Aang flying and leaving Combustion Man in the blast radius, is simply top notch.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sylvan Library" href="#" target="_blank">Sylvan Library</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sylvan Library"></div></div>
<p>Sylvan Library is obviously very strong, but it does give the player an interesting choice to make. It provides you with knowledge and the potential for power, if you're willing to risk your life for it. Which is exactly the plot of one of my favorite episodes of <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>. And as luck would have it, that episode is called <em>The Library</em>.</p>
<p>It's a memorable episode for the beautifully drawn architecture of the hidden library, as well as its Studio Ghibli-esque guardian. It's also an extremely important episode to the narrative of the entire series, as it leads Team Avatar to the discovery that firebenders lose their bending ability during a lunar eclipse.</p>
<p>The card's mechanics are a perfect match to the story of the episode, as the gang nearly loses their lives as the cost for gaining that information.</p>
<p>Sylvan Library has seen a fair number of printings, including in Secret Lairs, since its debut way back in <em>Legends</em> in 1994. But putting it into this set would be a good chase card while also allowing many players to play with a card they might well have never encountered otherwise.</p>
<p>And it would be an excellent excuse to use the gorgeous design of the Library, adorned internally with stone carvings of its ominous librarian, in the card's art.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thespian&#039;s Stage" href="#" target="_blank">Thespian&#039;s Stage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thespian&#039;s Stage"></div></div>
<p>There simply isn't much to say about this one. If there's not an Ember Island Players version of Thespian's Stage, I don't know why this set even got made.</p>
<p>Even just as a <em>Magic</em> card, Thespian's Stage is very interesting. The ability to permanently copy a target land only goes up in value as the power of your pod increases. Is someone running a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx" href="#" target="_blank">Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Congratulations, you are too. Did someone just lay down a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Depths" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Depths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Please welcome to the stage Miss <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marit Lage" href="#" target="_blank">Marit Lage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>And paying homage to the Ember Island Players is an absolute no brainer. It's one of the best episodes of the show, and honestly, more shows should employ an episode where the characters watch a heavily propagandized version of their own adventures.</p>
<p>Can you imagine Frodo cowering in the corner of the mezzanine as a crowd of orcs ferociously boos his portrayal in "Small Coward Won't Give Ring Back" at the Mordor Lyric Opera House?</p>
<h2>Renamed Cards</h2>
<p>Some cards will require renaming to allow them to fit the set, as has been done in some past Universes Beyond products, as well as in many Secret Lairs. Though this makes me less confident in their inclusion, some of these opportunities are simply too good for them to pass up.</p>
<h3>Cabbage Merchant as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakura-Tribe Elder" href="#" target="_blank">Sakura-Tribe Elder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sakura-Tribe Elder"></div></div>
<p><em>Magic's</em> favorite punching bag, meet <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>'s favorite punching bag.</p>
<p>The Cabbage Merchant needs to make an appearance in this set. There's simply no way he won't. He's perhaps one of the greatest unnamed characters in television history. But what card could possibly encapsulate his frequent misfortune at the hands of any bender or large animal in a 20 mile radius? It has to be Sakura-Tribe Elder.</p>
<p>It's an absolutely iconic card to match with an iconic character. And at least this time when his cabbages get destroyed, you'll be able to recoup a basic land for your trouble.</p>
<h3>Secret Tunnel as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Escape Tunnel" href="#" target="_blank">Escape Tunnel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Escape Tunnel"></div></div>
<p>Do you want to count us in or shall I? Ok. One... Two... Three...</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/4-GiYP_4qc0?si=qF8IINgspAmpPQOG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SECRET TUNNEL! SECRET TUNNEL! THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS!!!</a></p>
<p>It's an earworm even after all these years. If you walk past a band that's playing in the hallway of a nerdy convention four times, they'll be playing Secret Tunnel at least two of those times. And honestly, it's still always welcome.</p>
<p>I've never seen Escape Tunnel played. Even in Landfall decks, including my own, where this would be a welcome inclusion, I've never seen it touch the table. So it would be nice to give this overlooked card some love (despite the fact that you could sacrifice it to make Jumbo Cactuar unblockable, which is something every <em>Magic</em> player has to be wary of for the rest of time now).</p>
<h3>Zuko, The Blue Spirit as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fugitive Codebreaker" href="#" target="_blank">Fugitive Codebreaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fugitive Codebreaker"></div></div>
<p>There will surely be a Zuko card in this set, and it will undoubtedly be entirely new, very cool, and interact with the new firebending mechanic in some way. But I want a version of Zuko that plays homage to his alter ego, The Blue Spirit.</p>
<p>There aren't many cards with the disguise mechanic which still see play in any meaningful way. But, assuming that firebending will involve some amount of mono-red spellslinging (which, c'mon, is waterbending wet?), this card would be a great way to refill your hand and to provide some immediate threat with its inclusion of prowess and haste.</p>
<h2>Honorable Mention/They Should Not Do This</h2>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Propaganda" href="#" target="_blank">Propaganda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, But in Green, Featuring Ba Sing Se</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Propaganda"></div></div>
<p>They absolutely shouldn't do this. Propaganda is already a troublesome enough card when it's only playable in blue decks. Giving another color access to this deterrent could turn Commander games into staring contests.</p>
<p>However, giving me the ability to turn to a player and ask, "Can you pay the <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>? Then there is no war in Ba Sing Se." would make it all worthwhile.</p>


atla