<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master Piandao|TLA|28" href="#" target="_blank">Master Piandao</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.brianyuenart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Yuen</a></em></p>
<p>Friendly greetings and welcome to a <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket 2</a> deck tech for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master Piandao|TLA|28" href="#" target="_blank">Master Piandao</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. I'm John Sherwood, and <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tla" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></a> is my Universes Beyond dream come true.</p>
<p>Master Piandao is more than my favorite supporting character from the show; he's one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. This deck started as an Exhibition (Bracket 1) tribute to <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Sokka%27s_Master" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sokka's Master</a>, and grew into a more cohesive and intentional Bracket 2 concept.</p>
<h2>Let's Find Out Together</h2>
<p>In Master Piandao's first scene, he evaluates Sokka's potential as a student. After a brief exchange, he declares, "Let's find out together how worthy you are." Now we're going to find out together how worthy <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master Piandao|TLA|28" href="#" target="_blank">Master Piandao</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is to lead a Commander deck.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master Piandao|TLA|28"></div></div>
<p>Master Piandao's triggered ability is an absolute flavor win. Attacking with Piandao triggers a four-card dig into the library for one of three card subtypes: Ally, Equipment, or Lesson.</p>
<p>First, Ally makes perfect sense for Piandao's focal creature type. Master Piandao belongs to The Order of the White Lotus. In his own words, "...a group that transcends the divisions of the four nations."</p>
<p>Second, Equipment is on point because Piandao is a master swordsman and sword maker. Third, Lessons are a great mechanical representation for Piandao's role as a teacher.</p>
<p>So the flavor checks out, but where does that leave the card mechanically? The combination of those three particular subtypes into one triggered ability makes Master Piandao totally unique as a <em>Magic</em> card. Meanwhile, he changes the math on first strike. First strike creatures make better blockers, and yet, Piandao offers a card advantage payoff for attacking.</p>
<p>Very few white commanders net card advantage, and even fewer do so during the combat phase. All together, this is a novel design with straightforward lines of play.</p>
<h2>A Variety of Cards</h2>
<p>Master Piandao says, "The warrior practices a variety of arts to keep his mind sharp and fluid." Applying this methodology to the deck, I included a mix of Allies, Equipment, and Lessons. The commander's ability is prescriptive in that regard, and it complements Piandao's multidisciplinary philosophy.</p>
<p>Diversifying the 99 into multiple card types runs a risk of the deck trying to do too many things. The trick to avoiding that pitfall is balancing the number of each card type for the deck to function reliably.</p>
<p>Ideally, this gets easier with Piandao digging five cards deep for options every time he attacks.</p>
<h3>Allies</h3>
<p>Piandao, as a member of the White Lotus, is one of the good guys. Three different versions of Aang are great Ally creatures for Master Piandao as a commander. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, the Last Airbender" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, the Last Airbender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Airbending Master" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Airbending Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can use the airbending keyword ability to recur enter the battlefield effects, which are plentiful among Allies.</p>
<p>Also, Aang, Air Nomad grants vigilance, which pairs nicely with Piandao's first strike.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aang, Air Nomad"></div></div>
<h3>Equipment</h3>
<p>While white provides an abundance of Equipment support, I opted against optimum Equipment choices. "The sword is a simple tool..." according to Piandao. With that in mind, I selected simple swords.</p>
<p>It would be easy enough to upgrade this list with the Swords of <em>X </em>and Y, but the thematic point is to emphasize Piandao's minimalist approach to combat. Hence vanilla sword selections like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bronze Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Bronze Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Short Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Short Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hero&#039;s Blade"></div></div>
<p>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HerosBladeVibeCheck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hero's Blade Vibe Check</a> for this deck is a resounding yes. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero&#039;s Blade" href="#" target="_blank">Hero&#039;s Blade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an ideal play on early turns before casting Master Piandao.</p>
<h3>Lessons</h3>
<p>The Lesson subtype first appeared in <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/stx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Strixhaven: School of Mages</em></a> (<em>STX</em>). These spells see very little play in Commander. The most popular is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Introduction to Annihilation" href="#" target="_blank">Introduction to Annihilation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and it appears in less than 1% of decks. Still, there's very little opportunity cost for including spells like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Expanded Anatomy" href="#" target="_blank">Expanded Anatomy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Introduction to Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Introduction to Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> when the Commander enables card selection.</p>
<p><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> is bringing new Lesson cards to <em>Magic</em>. Unfortunately, the set isn't fully previewed yet, and we don't know if any of the new Lessons will feature Piandao. So far, only two of the previewed Lessons fit in mono-white: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang&#039;s Journey" href="#" target="_blank">Aang&#039;s Journey</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <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>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Airbending Lesson"></div></div>
<h2>Rock Gardening</h2>
<p>Tempo is very important to this list. White needs to regulate the pace of the game, or as Piandao would say, "Rock gardening teaches the warrior to manipulate his surroundings and use them to his advantage." This deck will use cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Authority of the Consuls" href="#" target="_blank">Authority of the Consuls</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Windborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Windborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to manipulate the pod until Master Piandao is ready to strike.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Authority of the Consuls"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Windborn Muse"></div></div>
<p>Eventually this deck is going to win through combat damage, but it's too slow to call it aggro. The deck is designed to leverage incremental advantages from Ally typal synergy into a meaningful combat threat. By the time Piandao stamps his identity on the battlefield, there should be some other Allies ready to buff him up.</p>
<p>From that point on, Master Piandao's attack triggers help fuel the deck through to the end game.</p>
<h2>Special Material</h2>
<p>This deck is full of choices that reflect important moments from the story, or aspects of Piandao's character. The focal character of the episode is Sokka, who seeks to train with the master. Representing that untrained and uncertain version of Sokka, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sokka, Wolf Cove&#039;s Protector" href="#" target="_blank">Sokka, Wolf Cove&#039;s Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sokka, Wolf Cove&#039;s Protector"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duelist&#039;s Heritage" href="#" target="_blank">Duelist&#039;s Heritage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an excellent representation of Master Piandao's role in teaching Sokka to fight. Piandao quite literally passes a wealth of generational knowledge on to Sokka. In turn, Sokka becomes a much more effective strategist and combatant. Mechanically, granting the right creature double strike often redefines combat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Duelist&#039;s Heritage"></div></div>
<p>It's also noteworthy that Duelist's Heritage can be used pragmatically on other players' creatures, much the same way that Piandao knowingly teaches swordsmanship to an enemy of the Fire Nation.</p>
<p>The episode begins with Team Avatar's benders extinguishing a wildfire ignited by a meteor impact. When Piandao endeavors to help Sokka make his own sword, they use that space earth to, "...make a sword unlike any other in the world." I'm sure Sokka's space sword will be featured on a card, but it hasn't been revealed at the time of this writing. At least we have a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meteorite" href="#" target="_blank">Meteorite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the raw material.</p>
<p>Forging the space sword showcases Piandao's mastery as a smith. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blacksmith&#039;s Skill" href="#" target="_blank">Blacksmith&#039;s Skill</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a story reference and efficient interaction in one package.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blacksmith&#039;s Skill"></div></div>
<p>Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Resolute Strike" href="#" target="_blank">Resolute Strike</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a handy combat trick that can give Master Piandao two quick buffs for the price of one. +2/+2 is good, cheating equip costs is better, and this card does both for one mana. The name of the card reminds me of another Piandao quote. When teaching Sokka calligraphy, Piando advises, "Remember, you cannot take back a stroke of the brush. or a stroke of the sword." Resolute Strike is also an instant, which is a card type white can't normally take back after casting.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Resolute Strike"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Single Combat" href="#" target="_blank">Single Combat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is my homage to Piandao and Sokka's duel at the end of the episode. The spell allows each player to choose their combatant, in the same way that Sokka makes the call to fight his own battle, without the help of his friends. It's also a great board wipe for any deck that relies on one creature consistently attacking.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Single Combat"></div></div>
<h2>Master Piandao Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Master Piandao" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Master Piandao
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aang, Air Nomad
*1 Aang, Airbending Master
*1 Aang, the Last Airbender
*1 Appa, Aang&#039;s Companion
*1 Appa, Steadfast Guardian
*1 Avatar Enthusiasts
*1 Baird, Steward of Argive
*1 Glider Kids
*1 Hada Freeblade
*1 Hakoda, Selfless Commander
*1 Hero of Goma Fada
*1 Kabira Evangel
*1 Katara, Heroic Healer
*1 Kazandu Blademaster
*1 Lantern Scout
*1 Makindi Patrol
*1 Momo, Rambunctious Rascal
*1 Sokka, Wolf Cove&#039;s Protector
*1 Talus Paladin
*1 Voice of Victory
*1 Windborn Muse
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Aang&#039;s Journey
*1 Academic Probation
*1 Expanded Anatomy
*1 Fell the Mighty
*1 Gift of Estates
*1 Introduction to Prophecy
*1 Single Combat
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Airbending Lesson
*1 Blacksmith&#039;s Skill
*1 Dawn Charm
*1 Dawn&#039;s Truce
*1 Disenchant
*1 Flare of Fortitude
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Mandate of Peace
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Reprieve
*1 Resolute Strike
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Ancestral Blade
*1 Ancestral Katana
*1 Archaeomancer&#039;s Map
*1 Bronze Sword
*1 Forebear&#039;s Blade
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Heirloom Blade
*1 Hero&#039;s Blade
*1 Hero&#039;s Heirloom
*1 Meteorite
*1 Short Sword
*1 The Irencrag
*1 Wand of the Worldsoul
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Authority of the Consuls
*1 Duelist&#039;s Heritage
*1 Folk Hero
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Ghostly Prison
*1 Land Tax
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Ally Encampment
*1 Bonders&#039; Enclave
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Eiganjo Castle
*1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire
*1 Emergence Zone
*1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
*1 Forge of Heroes
*1 Idyllic Grange
*1 Kor Haven
*1 Minas Tirith
*1 Monumental Henge
*1 Myriad Landscape
*20 Plains
*1 Rogue&#039;s Passage
*1 Scavenger Grounds
*1 Secluded Steppe
*1 Sejiri Steppe
*1 Temple of the False God
*1 War Room
*1 Winding Canyons
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The Warrior in the Garden</h2>
<p>One of the many reasons I love the character Master Piandao is the relevance of a proverb attributed to a real samurai, Miyamoto Musashi: “It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.” Piandao characterizes this proverb's ideal by living in peace while constantly preparing for conflict.</p>
<p>I designed this deck to uphold the same principle. This deck would be right at home in the garden of Bracket 1, tending to the artistry of the game. However, the intent of the deck is to contend in Bracket 2, where the competition is focused more on mechanics than thematic elements.</p>
<p>I'm eagerly awaiting more spoilers for <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender. </em>I'm optimistic that decks like this one are only going to get better when the set releases later this year.</p>
<p>In the mean time, join the conversation the comments. What you would have done differently with this deck? What are you most excited for with <em>ATLA</em> coming to <em>Magic?</em></p>
<h3>More <em>Avatar</em>:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="E8AbxL1BEs"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-ally-typal-with-haru-hidden-talent/">Building Ally Typal with Haru, Hidden Talent</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building Ally Typal with Haru, Hidden Talent&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-ally-typal-with-haru-hidden-talent/embed/#?secret=5bsu97APNe#?secret=E8AbxL1BEs" data-secret="E8AbxL1BEs" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="m6QWUcuji1"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/a-flood-of-free-card-draw-from-katara-bending-prodigy/">A Flood of Free Card Draw From Katara, Bending Prodigy</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;A Flood of Free Card Draw From Katara, Bending Prodigy&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/a-flood-of-free-card-draw-from-katara-bending-prodigy/embed/#?secret=RE0HlJQJ2O#?secret=m6QWUcuji1" data-secret="m6QWUcuji1" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="qclHkg82RL"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-go-wide-deck-with-sokka-lateral-strategist/">Building a Go-Wide Deck With Sokka, Lateral Strategist</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Building a Go-Wide Deck With Sokka, Lateral Strategist&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-go-wide-deck-with-sokka-lateral-strategist/embed/#?secret=bLB0YZmgpi#?secret=qclHkg82RL" data-secret="qclHkg82RL" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>


Master Piandao Bracket 2 Commander Deck Tech

Incinerating Tyranny With a Fire Lord Zuko Commander Deck

<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>


mtgtla

Master Piandao Bracket 2 Commander Deck Tech

Incinerating Tyranny With a Fire Lord Zuko Commander Deck

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Beginner Box Contents Revealed

Avatar: The Last Airbender's Bending Mechanics, Explained

WeeklyMTG Gives a First Look at Avatar: The Last Airbender