<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, Bending Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, Bending Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMephisto%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Mephisto</a></em></p>
<p>If there's one thing <em>Magic: the Gathering</em> players like more than drawing a card, it's drawing multiple cards, and doing so for (effectively) free. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Katara, Bending Prodigy" href="#" target="_blank">Katara, Bending Prodigy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, arriving in the upcoming <em>Avatar: Last Airbender</em> set, will runneth over your card draw cup, turn after turn, until your hand is full, your board is flooded, and your thirst for enemy blood is finally quenched.</p>
<p>I entered into this deckbuilding excursion with next to no knowledge about <em>Avatar</em> but with the belief that convoke is one of the strongest abilities in Commander. Today, I emerge a disciple of Katara's water-bending ways and finally understand why they named a film <em>Avatar: The Way of Water</em>.</p>
<p>…maybe that's the wrong <em>Avatar</em>…</p>
<h2>What Does Katara, Bending Prodigy Do?</h2>
<p>Katara boasts the set's new waterbend ability that blends the payment-reduction of convoke and improvise into a rejuvenating concoction. Each creature and artifact you tap while paying a waterbend cost reduces the payment by one colorless mana. So, while Katara asks for a steep six-mana payment, it's rare that you'll actually pay full price; heck, you can tap Katara herself the turn she enters for an immediate discount on her card draw. She further incentivizes this line of play by adding a +1/+1 counter to herself if she remains tapped at the end of your turn, resulting in a draw engine that can also inflict serious water damage to opponents.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azami, Lady of Scrolls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Minn, Wily Illusionist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Watcher in the Water"></div></div>
<p>Katara's go-wide card draw style resembles a fair number of mono-blue commanders, many of which make an appearance in the below deck's 99. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azami, Lady of Scrolls" href="#" target="_blank">Azami, Lady of Scrolls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> asks for very little to begin drawing cards, but she requires stricter deckbuilding that prioritizes Wizards over all else. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Minn, Wily Illusionist" href="#" target="_blank">Minn, Wily Illusionist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems to also adhere to a particular kindred spirit, <a href="https://archidekt.com/decks/12239423/minn_and_the_virtues_of_selling_out">but as I've found</a>, a Minn deck running few Illusion creatures can still dish out some very real damage if you bring your own card draw sources. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Watcher in the Water" href="#" target="_blank">The Watcher in the Water</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> similarly trades tokens for card draw but will likely spend much of the game tapped, contributing to combat only from afar.</p>
<p>While these commanders prescribe their optimal play patterns, that's just not how Katara flows. Her decks can lean into creatures, artifacts, or both; her +1/+1 counter ability can read as either flavor text or a way to end games. Ultimately, I went with something in the middle of these axes that plays out like a whirlpool: starting slow, then expediting an advantage as the game ventures into the blimey deep.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Katara, Bending Prodigy</h2>
<p>This take on Katara utilizes two types of token-producers to sail away with the W. To start, her waterbending ability doesn't care which sorts of artifacts or creatures you tap, so I began by filling the deck with cards that provide the highest number of upfront tokens for the lowest mana cost possible:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hard Evidence"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm Fleet Negotiator"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master of Waves"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spyglass Siren" href="#" target="_blank">Spyglass Siren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hard Evidence" href="#" target="_blank">Hard Evidence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> trade a single blue pip for two tappable permanents. Did it feel good to unironically slot Hard Evidence into this mix? You bet your waterbending behind.</li>
<li>I wasn't wild about many of the two-mana options but went with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bumbleflower&#039;s Sharepot" href="#" target="_blank">Bumbleflower&#039;s Sharepot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because it can double as a straight-up removal spell, something rare for mono-blue.</li>
<li>At three mana, I wanted the cards to either offer utility or produce multiple tokens at once. Not many cards fit the bill, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aether Channeler" href="#" target="_blank">Aether Channeler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm Fleet Negotiator" href="#" target="_blank">Storm Fleet Negotiator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> made the cut.</li>
<li>I capped this section at four mana because by this point in the game, I'd hope to have one of my draw-based token-generator online to do the heavy lifting. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Scarab Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Scarab Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ethereal Investigator" href="#" target="_blank">Ethereal Investigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Waves" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Waves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide enough bodies to instantly draw you a card off Katara with little additional support.</li>
</ul>
<p>The deck's other token-generators trigger when cards are drawn, enabling you to escalate your card draw exponentially:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alandra, Sky Dreamer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Homunculus Horde"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ominous Seas"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emrakul&#039;s Messenger" href="#" target="_blank">Emrakul&#039;s Messenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mischievous Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Mischievous Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thopter Fabricator" href="#" target="_blank">Thopter Fabricator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Detective of the Month" href="#" target="_blank">Detective of the Month</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Minn, Wily Illusionist, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alandra, Sky Dreamer" href="#" target="_blank">Alandra, Sky Dreamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Homunculus Horde" href="#" target="_blank">Homunculus Horde</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> create high-value tokens when you draw your second card for the turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Watcher in the Water" href="#" target="_blank">The Watcher in the Water</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ominous Seas" href="#" target="_blank">Ominous Seas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chasm Skulker" href="#" target="_blank">Chasm Skulker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> produce tokens via card draw, as well, but each carries its own restrictions.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="James, Wandering Dad"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Omen Hawker"></div></div>
<p>This deck's selection of ramp spells doesn't include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> but does contain a few Sol Ring-esque effects to use in activating Katara's ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omen Hawker" href="#" target="_blank">Omen Hawker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Training Grounds" href="#" target="_blank">Training Grounds</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="James, Wandering Dad" href="#" target="_blank">James, Wandering Dad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> reduce Katara's card draw cost by two; plus, James can overwhelm your board with Clues at instant speed. There were other options available, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Enigma Jewel" href="#" target="_blank">The Enigma Jewel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thran Turbine" href="#" target="_blank">Thran Turbine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but in playtesting, these often sat on the battlefield providing little value. In addition to the usual selection of mana rocks, I also wanted to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dauntless Scrapbot" href="#" target="_blank">Dauntless Scrapbot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as a way to snag a bonus token.</p>
<p>Katara provides plenty of card draw, but I wanted some additional sources to trigger my token-generators in the absence of Katara... and to, you know, draw more sweet, sweet cards:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toothy, Imaginary Friend"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Starwinder"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Season of Weaving"></div></div>
<ul>
<li>A few sources aligned themselves closely with Katara's strategy, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toothy, Imaginary Friend" href="#" target="_blank">Toothy, Imaginary Friend</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Defiler of Dreams" href="#" target="_blank">Defiler of Dreams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mechan Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Mechan Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fit the bill.</li>
<li>Others were too strong to ignore, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nezahal, Primal Tide" href="#" target="_blank">Nezahal, Primal Tide</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and the new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starwinder" href="#" target="_blank">Starwinder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Confluence" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Confluence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Steps Ahead" href="#" target="_blank">Three Steps Ahead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Season of Weaving" href="#" target="_blank">Season of Weaving</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fold modal card draw into a reliable source of removal.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Mulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nulldrifter" href="#" target="_blank">Nulldrifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are somewhat modal, as well, offering card draw and evasive bodies.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unstoppable Plan" href="#" target="_blank">Unstoppable Plan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> lets you double your Katara triggers almost immediately.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Does This Katara, Bending Prodigy Commander Deck Win?</h2>
<p>Once Katara is online, this deck wants to overwhelm its opponents with card advantage and an ever-growing token army to either get in some damage or continue the windfall of card draw:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Proft&#039;s Eidetic Memory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reverse the Polarity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Psychosis Crawler"></div></div>
<ul>
<li>Many of these tokens have flying, and cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eldrazi Monument" href="#" target="_blank">Eldrazi Monument</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alandra, Sky Dreamer" href="#" target="_blank">Alandra, Sky Dreamer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyla, Holographic Assistant" href="#" target="_blank">Lyla, Holographic Assistant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Proft&#039;s Eidetic Memory" href="#" target="_blank">Proft&#039;s Eidetic Memory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> expedite their growth.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wonder" href="#" target="_blank">Wonder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reverse the Polarity" href="#" target="_blank">Reverse the Polarity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sun Quan, Lord of Wu" href="#" target="_blank">Sun Quan, Lord of Wu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> push even more damage through with evasive anthem effects. I'm falling in love with Reverse the Polarity and can't wait to see how it fares in this deck.</li>
<li>If all else fails, there's always <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychosis Crawler" href="#" target="_blank">Psychosis Crawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card I mostly dislike but one with no analogous effect outside of black.</li>
</ul>
<p>All that said, this isn't the kind of deck that will win in a single alpha strike. Instead, it floods your hand, and the board, with resources, wearing your opponents down until they have no choice but to give into the riptide.</p>
<h2>Katara, Bending Prodigy Commander Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Katara: The Way of Water" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Katara, Bending Prodigy
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aether Channeler
*1 Alandra, Sky Dreamer
*1 Canoptek Scarab Swarm
*1 Chasm Skulker
*1 Dauntless Scrapbot
*1 Defiler of Dreams
*1 Detective of the Month
*1 Drowned Rusalka
*1 Emrakul&#039;s Messenger
*1 Ethereal Investigator
*1 Ghostly Pilferer
*1 Glasspool Mimic // Glasspool Shore
*1 Homunculus Horde
*1 Hydroelectric Specimen // Hydroelectric Laboratory
*1 James, Wandering Dad // Follow Him
*1 Lyla, Holographic Assistant
*1 Master of Waves
*1 Mechan Navigator
*1 Minn, Wily Illusionist
*1 Mischievous Mystic
*1 Mulldrifter
*1 Nezahal, Primal Tide
*1 Nulldrifter
*1 Omen Hawker
*1 Psychosis Crawler
*1 Junk Winder
*1 Spyglass Siren
*1 Starwinder
*1 Storm Fleet Negotiator
*1 Sun Quan, Lord of Wu
*1 The Watcher in the Water
*1 Toothy, Imaginary Friend
*1 Wonder
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bumbleflower&#039;s Sharepot
*1 Eldrazi Monument
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Heraldic Banner
*1 Kefnet&#039;s Monument
*1 Midnight Clock
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Sapphire Medallion
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Thopter Fabricator
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim
[/Planeswalkers]
[Instants]
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Cyber Conversion
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Pongify
*1 Rapid Hybridization
*1 Reality Shift
*1 Reverse the Polarity
*1 Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs
*1 Three Steps Ahead
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Hard Evidence
*1 Lórien Revealed
*1 Season of Weaving
*1 Spectral Deluge
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Ominous Seas
*1 Proft&#039;s Eidetic Memory
*1 Teferi&#039;s Ageless Insight
*1 Training Grounds
*1 Unstoppable Plan
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Fountainport
*1 Hall of Tagsin
*1 High Market
*1 Horizon of Progress
*22 Island
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Urza&#039;s Cave
*1 War Room
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
<h2>The Way of Water</h2>
<p>This decklist is likely going to ebb and flow as previews for <em>Avatar</em> continue later this year. I'm sure there are plenty of waterbending cards on the horizon, including many support cards for this strategy. For the time being, this mid-power take on Katara can hang in Bracket 3 pods and can easily be powered up or down by adding/subtracting a few staples.</p>
<p>Let me know what you think! Does this deck do the character of Katara justice? What do you think of the new waterbend ability? Let's keep the convo going in the comments.</p>


A Flood of Free Card Draw From Katara, Bending Prodigy

<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>


katara

A Flood of Free Card Draw From Katara, Bending Prodigy

Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless