<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Embercleave" href="#" target="_blank">Embercleave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></em> |<em> Art by <a href="https://www.joeslucher.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Slucher </a></em></p>
<p>Hello everyone, my name is Jonathan, and today's article is completely centered around firebending, a new ability from the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tla" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></a> set. We'll look at the best cards to use with your firebending mana.</p>
<h2>What Is Firebending?</h2>
<p>But, what does firebending do? A creature with firebending produces red mana when it attacks that lasts until the end of combat.</p>
<p>The amount of mana produced varies from creature to creature. For example, a creature with firebending 1 will add <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, while a creature with firebending 2 will add <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>.</p>
<p>This creates a situation similar to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radha, Heir to Keld" href="#" target="_blank">Radha, Heir to Keld</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s, where we're able to gain additional mana on each of our turns, but we do so at a weird time during said turns. In fact, this mana has to be used on something that can be done at instant speed <em>and</em> that during our combat phase.</p>
<p>While there are truly a ton of cards to be cast or abilities to be activated at that time, I tried to think of some of the best ones to pair with firebending mana, especially older cards that might benefit the most from some modern power-up.</p>
<p>The other criteria behind my choices was that the cards should, in the most part, be proactive, considering we're getting this mana when attacking.</p>
<p>Additionally, all of the five colors have access to firebending. Although the early spoilers seem to indicate it's mostly a Grixis-oriented (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) ability, we've seen green and white cards as well, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Uncle Iroh" href="#" target="_blank">Uncle Iroh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <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>.</p>
<p>Additionally, <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> is a five-color legend with firebending; so, indeed we're not lacking commanders synergizing with it! At the same time, I prioritized red-colored effects, considering all of the mana we're making out of our attacks will be of that color.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Uncle Iroh"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fire Lord Zuko"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Aang"></div></div>
<p>One last thing before diving into the card: It's true that there are cards that can, in theory, produce a lot of mana through firebending, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sun Warriors" href="#" target="_blank">Sun Warriors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sozin&#039;s Comet" href="#" target="_blank">Sozin&#039;s Comet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on a stacked board, but the actual highest value we've seen on a card at the time of writing (October 28<sup>th</sup>) is firebending 4 on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ozai, the Phoenix King" href="#" target="_blank">Ozai, the Phoenix King</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>This means that I'm not really considering having access to a huge amount of mana when choosing which cards to include on the list, but only around <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> or <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> on average.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sun Warriors"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sozin&#039;s Comet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ozai, the Phoenix King"></div></div>
<p>So, with all of this premise out of the way, here are some of the best cards to cast and/or abilities to use with firebending mana!</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Aggressive Cards To Use With Firebending Mana</h2>
<p>The first category of cards I thought about when reading what firebending does was "very aggressive effects that can turn a whole combat step into your favor." Yes, I'm not really good at giving names, but you get the spirit.</p>
<p>For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Savage Beating" href="#" target="_blank">Savage Beating</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was one of the first ones I added to my notes, because it checks all of the boxes. It can only be cast during our combat step, it requires red mana, and it gives us access to an extremely aggressive effect.</p>
<p>In addition to all of this, being pretty expensive to begin with means it can be tricky to get the most out of it with entwine; firebending solves this problem as well, making sure we get that small mana boost we need to go all out. Also, the additional combat step means we're going to have even more possibilities to spend additional red mana during our turn!</p>
<p>Another example is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Embercleave" href="#" target="_blank">Embercleave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Once the scourge of Standard, this Equipment wants to be cast at instant speed during the combat step so that we can dish out unexpected damage. Now then, how about making it even less predictable casting it off of a firebending trigger?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Savage Beating"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Embercleave"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div></div>
<p>This one also lines up pretty well with the low-ish amount of mana this ability can produce, considering we're probably going to play it in a go-wide strategy anyway. Hence, it's more than probable that we'll be able to give +1/+1, trample and double strike to one of our creatures even with all of our lands tapped.</p>
<p>One thing that makes me very happy is that this new keyword could revitalize, or at least help modernize, one of my personal favorites: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While it'll never be possible to activate it with a firebending trigger (unless we have some sort of mana-filtering ability on the board as well), having our equipped creature being able to pay for half of this cost simply by attacking (which is exactly what we'd want to be doing anyways) sound very cool.</p>
<p>However, it's unlikely our opponents will let us get away with multiple triggers, especially if we're getting something out of all of them. For this reason, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Celestial Armor" href="#" target="_blank">Celestial Armor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can really help, giving us a way to protect our mana-producing creature if it ever gets picked on.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silver Shroud Costume" href="#" target="_blank">Silver Shroud Costume</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is even better because it can be cast with generic mana, allowing us to use our red mana even more efficiently. At the same time, the effect is a bit worse: once the initial protection has ended, granting unblockable to a creature isn't all that valuable.</p>
<p>The best out of the bunch, in any case, is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It can be cast with generic mana, the effect lasts as long as the Equipment is attached, and it grants good-enough protection. Hexproof and/or shroud would have been appreciated as well, but this remains a pretty good deal to take.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Celestial Armor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silver Shroud Costume"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mithril Coat"></div></div>
<p>But what if the maths for the blockers doesn't align as we'd like? Well, fear not, for there are options to consider!</p>
<p>First off, we could solve the problem going even more aggro with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dictate of the Twin Gods" href="#" target="_blank">Dictate of the Twin Gods</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, hoping it's enough to overwhelm our opponents' defenses.</p>
<p>Then, if we need to adjust some toughness numbers, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pyrohemia" href="#" target="_blank">Pyrohemia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could really help us. We can use all of our mana or just a fraction to deal just enough damage to all of the creatures (and players, for good measure) to make sure our attackers get the most out of their aggression.</p>
<p>Lastly, if we're out of solutions, effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Tactician" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Tactician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s can be our life-saver. Of course, we would need to choose the correct options depending on our overall strategy, but having access to a sacrifice outlet could help us salvage those combat steps that don't really go as we intended.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dictate of the Twin Gods"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pyrohemia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hardened Tactician"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>Setup Cards To Use With Firebending Mana</h2>
<p>Not all of our cards have to be strictly aggressive; we can also use firebending mana to propel our future game actions.</p>
<p>For example, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia Voldaren" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia Voldaren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could take advantage of some extra spare mana, so that it can set up a board state where multiple opposing creatures are Vampires. In this way, we could later use its second ability (perhaps using even more firebending mana) to gain control of whatever we'd like.</p>
<p>Another card I'd love to include in a deck centered around firebending is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Sound of Drums" href="#" target="_blank">The Sound of Drums</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This is a fresh take on the classic goad effect, which actually would fit perfectly with this theme. First of all, having fewer blockers in the way means we'd be able to take safer attacks, thus not forcing us to risk our firebending creatures.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Olivia Voldaren"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Sound of Drums"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tectonic Reformation"></div></div>
<p>Additionally, this one can be easily recurred from the graveyard, and that's where the additional mana comes in clutch: We can enchant an opposing creature, watch it as it's forced to attack and perhaps it dies doing so, and lastly we can bring it back thanks to firebending to start this chain over again.</p>
<p>One last utility inclusion could be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tectonic Reformation" href="#" target="_blank">Tectonic Reformation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This one solves one of aggro decks' worst problems: flooding. And it does so, once again, doing what aggro decks do best: attacking. The ability to combine two aspects that affect the same deck so much could really make these kinds of cards shine.</p>
<p>One final area in which firebending could be relevant is overall efficiency. In particular, we could really make the most out of cards that give everything we cast flash, because this means that none of our additional mana ever goes to waste. For this reason, even a former staple such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vedalken Orrery" href="#" target="_blank">Vedalken Orrery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> could easily return to being relevant.</p>
<p>On the same line, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elsha of the Infinite" href="#" target="_blank">Elsha of the Infinite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is even better, because it actively produces card advantage. Although it limits the number of cards we can cast with flash, having access to the top of our library at any given moment almost assures we're going to have something to do with our additional mana.</p>
<p>Last but not least, effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insight Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Insight Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also shine, because they grant a generic (i.e., always good) card advantage that we can always rely on if we ever have spare mana. This makes sure we never run out of gas as we proceed to bash everyone in the face for the game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vedalken Orrery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elsha of the Infinite"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insight Engine"></div></div>
<hr />
<p>What do you think of these suggestions? Do you like them? Have you considered something else to play in your firebending decks? Let me know in the comments below!</p>
<h3>More <em>Avatar</em>:</h3>
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The Best Cards to Use With Firebending Mana

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuko, Exiled Prince|TLA|163" href="#" target="_blank">Zuko, Exiled Prince</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a:%22Nijihayashi%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nijihayashi</a></em></p>
<p>Friendly greetings and welcome to a Bracket 2 deck tech for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuko, Exiled Prince" href="#" target="_blank">Zuko, Exiled Prince</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tla" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></a>. In the words of Uncle Iroh, "It's time for you to look inward and start asking yourself the big questions. Who are you? And what do you want?"</p>
<p>I'm John Sherwood, and I want to build a combat trick deck. The new firebending mechanic is perfect for casting instants and paying activation costs in the best phase of the turn.</p>
<h2>Firing Back From Exile</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zuko, Exiled Prince" href="#" target="_blank">Zuko, Exiled Prince</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is perfect for Core (Bracket 2). For starters, at four power for four mana, Zuko is playing "fair and balanced" <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>Zuko's two abilities support each other, making him a self-contained engine for players who like to turn their commanders sidewise. His abilities enable each other, which frees up space in the deck for more payoffs.</p>
<p>In return for declaring Zuko as an attacker, he produces <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Firebending 3 is enough to cast 75% of red instant spells. If there's no spells available to cast, then that mana can be used for activated abilities, including Zuko's own ability to pay <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> for an impulse draw.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zuko, Exiled Prince|TLA|163"></div></div>
<p>Zuko, Exiled Prince is an easy flavor win for the design team. <em>Magic</em>'s take on firebending embraces the proactive nature of the Fire Nation. Meanwhile, Zuko's activated ability showcases his tenacity and improvisation. The play from exile effect may be overplaying the bit, but I'm here for it.</p>
<p>Very few characters could be more red than Zuko before his redemption arc. Hot-tempered, impulsive, and aggressive, the Zuko of <em>Book One: Water</em> is portrayed perfectly on this card. As much as possible, I included flavor-forward cards in the list.</p>
<h2>Firebending Basics</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coming In Hot"></div></div>
<p>Primarily, quantity and time are the two firebending constraints the deck has to work around. Netting three mana for attacking is nice, but it's easy come, easy go. That mana must be used during combat.</p>
<p>These factors prescribe the most important card choices for a firebending focus. Zuko needs spells and abilities without sorcery timing restrictions.</p>
<p>Additionally, many opponents will have blockers by the time Zuko is ready to attack. The 99 must include cards that help Zuko bypass or remove those pesky blocking creatures. The best options either buff Zuko directly, or aid Zuko indirectly by removing blockers.</p>
<p>In two words: combat tricks.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fateful End"></div></div>
<p>Again, there are over 400 red instants for three mana or less. Thirty-one made the final cut for the list, and most of these are either pump effects, evasion, or removal. Another four cards provide an instant combat trick via Adventures.</p>
<p>Sixteen of the instant spells are mana value two, another ten are mana value one, and can therefore be paired in different ways to multi-spell with Zuko's trigger. Also, nine of the chosen instants come with the added benefit of scrying, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kindled Heroism" href="#" target="_blank">Kindled Heroism</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindled Heroism"></div></div>
<p>With so many existing fire references in red, it's easy to find flavorful cards for a Zuko deck. However, not all flavor picks are created equal. My favorite combat trick in the deck is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fists of Flame|CMM|223" href="#" target="_blank">Fists of Flame</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. From top to bottom, this card could simply be reskinned for Zuko. The card name calls out some of Zuko's signature moves, and the art might as well be a firebender.</p>
<p>Even the flavor text is nearly perfect:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fists of Flame|CMM|223"></div></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Fire has always been my most faithful companion." —Jared Carthalion</em></p>
<h2>A Swordsman and a Bender</h2>
<p>For additional fast casting, there's six permanents with flash. Five of these are Equipment that attach when they enter. To be fair, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quick-Draw Dagger" href="#" target="_blank">Quick-Draw Dagger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't winning any games, but it's my homage to Zuko's pearl Earth Kingdom dagger. Hopefully the <em>Avatar</em> set gives us Zuko's dagger on a card, but this one is fine as a substitute.</p>
<p>The heater in this category is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Embercleave" href="#" target="_blank">Embercleave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. With Embercleave's cost reduction and just two other attackers, Zuko produces enough mana to cast the sword and threaten an opponent with ten commander damage.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Embercleave"></div></div>
<p>Next come the activated abilities. Zuko is a firebender; he can literally exhale fire. So here's four fire breathing enchantments:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crown of Flames" href="#" target="_blank">Crown of Flames</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Draconic Destiny" href="#" target="_blank">Draconic Destiny</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiery Mantle" href="#" target="_blank">Fiery Mantle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghitu Firebreathing" href="#" target="_blank">Ghitu Firebreathing</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p>As long as one of these is in play, there's an easy outlet to turn Zuko's mana into damage. Truthfully, there are more enchantments like these in the available card pool. However, these made the cut because they protect the investment. Red's recursion doesn't cover enchantments. Each of the chosen enchantments has a mechanism to get it back in hand.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghitu Firebreathing"></div></div>
<p>My favorite mana sink in this deck is much more subtle than firebreathing. This enchantment can turn combat on its head. It's one part politics, one part tax, and one part evasion. It's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="War Cadence" href="#" target="_blank">War Cadence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="War Cadence"></div></div>
<p>Politically, this card is a tool to manipulate your opponents into attacking each other. As a tax, it pressures vulnerable players to choose between holding up mana to block, or playing out their own hands. Finally, against any opponent that can't pay the tax, War Cadence guarantees creatures hit players.</p>
<p>Often, mono-red decks struggle to use War Cadence effectively. The card is very mana intensive, which is why it'll always perform in a Zuko deck. Zuko provides the mana to use War Cadence offensively, saving mana from other source for other uses.</p>
<h2><em>"Break His Root" </em>- Iroh</h2>
<p>Let's talk about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fog" href="#" target="_blank">Fog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I love playing Fog effects in other colors. Fogs are underplayed in Commander, unless I'm the aggro player. When I play red aggro, I enjoy anti-Fog. The words "damage can't be prevented" are music to a red mage's ears.</p>
<p>Not only is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Call In a Professional" href="#" target="_blank">Call In a Professional</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> an anti-Fog, it puts in extra work by disallowing lifegain and burning a target. This card is a multitool, with the potential to be a finisher.</p>
<p>This is also one of my flavor picks. The name of the card reminds me of a couple mercenary moments in <em>Avatar</em>'s first season. One, when Zuko hires the bounty hunter June to track the Katara's scent with her shirshu mount. The other when Admiral Zhao hires pirates to blow up Zuko's ship.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Call In a Professional"></div></div>
<p>There are two facts every combat deck must come to terms with in Commander. First is the higher, combined life totals of the opponents. Three opponents with a combined 120 life is a lot for a creature with four base power. Second is the parity of combat steps. This deck will win by breaking that parity to overcome the disproportionate distribution of life points.</p>
<p>One way to do this is extra combats. There are six extra combat creatures in the deck - not enough for a dedicated extra combat theme, but enough to make regular appearances.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Combat Celebrant"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balduvian Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Balduvian Rage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another solid finisher. With Zuko's mana alone, it's just +2/0. That's fine in the early game. In the late game, with more resources available, this card can eliminate a player.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Balduvian Rage"></div></div>
<p>In general, this deck is going to win one attack step at a time. It'll be vulnerable to many of the free value engines that run rampant through the format, but that's ok. The theme still matters in Bracket 2.</p>
<p>While it isn't a true Voltron strategy, I feel this deck is too focused on eliminating players to honestly belong in Bracket 1.</p>
<h2>Zuko, Exiled Prince Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Zuko" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Zuko, Exiled Prince
[/Commander]
[Enchantments]
*1 Crown of Flames
*1 Draconic Destiny
*1 Fiery Mantle
*1 Ghitu Firebreathing
*1 Rising of the Day
*1 Tempered in Solitude
*1 Virtue of Courage // Embereth Blaze
*1 War Cadence
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Balduvian Rage
*1 Blazing Crescendo
*1 Brute Strength
*1 Bulk Up
*1 Calibrated Blast
*1 Call In a Professional
*1 Coming In Hot
*1 Daring Escape
*1 Dreadmaw&#039;s Ire
*1 Fateful End
*1 Fists of Flame
*1 Furious Bellow
*1 Ghostfire
*1 Ghostfire Slice
*1 Heightened Reflexes
*1 Incinerate
*1 Inordinate Rage
*1 Kindled Heroism
*1 Magma Jet
*1 Punishing Fire
*1 Run Amok
*1 Rush of Adrenaline
*1 Samut&#039;s Sprint
*1 Siege Smash
*1 Slaying Fire
*1 Soul&#039;s Fire
*1 Titan&#039;s Strength
*1 Whirling Strike
*1 Wild Slash
*1 You Come to the Gnoll Camp
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Coral Sword
*1 Dueling Rapier
*1 Embercleave
*1 Glittering Stockpile
*1 Horizon Stone
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mirran Banesplitter
*1 Quick-Draw Dagger
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Two-Handed Axe // Sweeping Cleave
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Bloodthirster
*1 Bonecrusher Giant // Stomp
*1 Combat Celebrant
*1 Fire Sages
*1 Karlach, Fury of Avernus
*1 Merchant of the Vale // Haggle
*1 Moraug, Fury of Akoum
*1 Port Razer
*1 Scourge of the Throne
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Cosmotronic Wave
*1 Hazardous Blast
*1 Vandalblast
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Arena of Glory
*1 Blast Zone
*1 Bonders&#039; Enclave
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Forgotten Cave
*1 Lindblum, Industrial Regency // Mage Siege
*27 Mountain
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Shivan Gorge
*1 Talon Gates of Madara
*1 Terrain Generator
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2><em>"I rise with the sun." </em>- Zuko</h2>
<p>The sun is rising on a set I've been waiting for since the dawn of the Universes Beyond era. At the time of this writing, the <em>Avatar</em> preview stream is tomorrow, and I'm riding a wave of hype. I'm really looking forward to seeing new cards that could improve this list.</p>
<p>Since firebending is a main set mechanic, Zuko is sure to get more support from <em>Magic</em> than he got from most of the Fire Nation. More than anything, this deck needs a mono-red version of Uncle Iroh.</p>
<p>From a gameplay standpoint, this deck will slot neatly into the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/commander-philosophy-the-brackets-have-updated-do-these-changes-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently updated guidelines</a> for Bracket 2. There's no <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>, and the incremental game plan will certainly take at least eight turns to execute.</p>
<p>What are you most excited for with <em>Avatar's </em>imminent set release? What obvious picks did I miss for this deck? Is there another direction you would take firebending? Tell me in the comments below.</p>
<h3>More <em>Avatar</em>:</h3>
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<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Avatar: The Last Airbender Preview Season Debut Stream Spoilers&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/avatar-the-last-airbender-preview-season-debut-stream-spoilers/embed/#?secret=waF5cfrZjG#?secret=mt1sHE8vfJ" data-secret="mt1sHE8vfJ" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
