The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Multicolor Avatar Commanders

Going Wide With Aang and Katara in Commander

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><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> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/mangamie">Fahmi Fauzi</a></em></p>
<p>Even if you're not a fan of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tla" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Avatar</em></a> series, our commander for the day should still be pretty familiar to you. Aang is the main protagonist of the show, and <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> captures when he masters the bending of all four elements.</p>
<p>Drawing a card whenever you bend water, earth, fire, or air is a huge payoff. Plus, if you're able to bend all four in one turn, you're now ready to send Aang into the Avatar state, which takes this deck to a whole new level.</p>
<h2>This Commander Can Save the World</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Avatar Aang"></div></div>
<p>This version of Aang loves to see others utilize their bending, so the main goal with the deck is to flood your board with creatures in the early game. Then, once you've built up your team with allies and enemies from the show, you can cast your commander and start pulling in the value while you bend the elements.</p>
<p>When it comes to this list, the main goal is to highlight some of the cards from the set that progresses your strategy forward, while <em>hopefully </em>not breaking your bank.</p>
<p>Plus, I added great budget cards to the 99 from outside the set that'll fit nicely with the mechanics already in the deck, including a solid five-color landbase. So, with all that in mind, let's get started by taking a look at how each element fits into this list!</p>
<h2>Waterbending - Power in Gathering</h2>
<p><em>(While paying a waterbend cost, you can tap your artifacts and creatures to help. Each one pays for <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>.)</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Waterbending Lesson"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Waterbender Ascension"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><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>: Here's an instance of waterbending that works great in two ways for this deck. Of course, you can try to make your creatures as big as possible, however if you activate that ability one creature/land/artifact at a time, you'll draw a card for each one you tap because of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avatar Aang" href="#" target="_blank">Avatar Aang</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ability. Now that's a lot of card advantage!</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Waterbending Lesson" href="#" target="_blank">Waterbending Lesson</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Including some standard card draw in this deck is important, just in case Aang isn't on the battlefield. However, if he is on the board, you could draw an additional card after you waterbend with this spell.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Waterbender Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Waterbender Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck is relatively aggressive, which means that you'll be sending creatures into combat pretty often. With that in mind, you should be getting enough experience counters on this enchantment to start drawing even more cards, while having the option to add evasion to your board.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Earthbending - Awaken Your Manabase</h2>
<p><em>(Target land you control becomes a 0/0 creature with haste that's still a land. Put a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to the number next to that ability. When it dies or is exiled, return it to the battlefield tapped.)</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haru, Hidden Talent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dai Li Agents"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Earthbender Ascension"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this creature is only two mana, it'll start your earthbending engine right away. Plus, once Aang is on the board, all it takes to draw some cards is by just deploying more and more Allies.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dai Li Agents" href="#" target="_blank">Dai Li Agents</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Earthbending multiple times when these Agents enter helps with building your land army. On top of that, it adds a way to close out the game if they attack and you have enough creatures with counters on your board.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Earthbender Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Earthbender Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This enchantment does it all; not only does it help you earthbend, but it also fetches a basic land onto your board. Then when you build up those four quest counters, you'll buff up a creature and help it trample over your opponent's defenses.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Firebending - Ignite Your Combat</h2>
<p><em>(Whenever a creature with firebending attacks, 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> equal to the number next to that ability. This mana lasts until end of combat.)</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zuko, Exiled Prince"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fire Nation Attacks"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firebender Ascension"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><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>: Sure, this may be the version of Zuko who's hunting down Aang, however, they still work great together in this deck. Firebending 3 is already a powerful effect, especially when you can spend all that mana to gain access to the top card of your library in a pinch.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fire Nation Attacks" href="#" target="_blank">Fire Nation Attacks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since Aang draws you cards each time you firebend, getting as many bodies on the board as possible that have that ability ensures you'll be refilling your hand during combat. This spell also has flashback, which means you can recast it later when you're looking for a place to spend all your red firebending mana.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firebender Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Firebender Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This enchantment is an absolute powerhouse in this deck. It brings you a token when it enters, which'll help unlock that second ability pretty quickly. Each time a firebending creature goes into combat, you'll get closer to doubling all your attack triggers.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Airbending - Bounce the Board</h2>
<p><em>(Exile a target. While it's 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.)</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Appa, Loyal Sky Bison"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Airbending Lesson"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Airbender Ascension"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Appa, Loyal Sky Bison" href="#" target="_blank">Appa, Loyal Sky Bison</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Of course, Aang needs to have Appa close by at all times, which luckily adds some airbending to the deck. Giving a creature flying during combat is helpful, and exiling one of your permanents in order to recast it later will now draw you a card in the process.</li>
<li><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>: Here's a great way to weaponize airbending, by temporarily getting rid of someone else's threat in order to progress your own game plan. Since it's an instant, you could cast it during combat in order to utilize some of the mana you make with firebending.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Airbender Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Airbender Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This enchantment does a whole lot for only two mana. It airbends something when it enters, while also getting to the point where you could blink a creature at the end of each of your turns.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Cards From Outside the <em>Avatar</em> Set</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harrow"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faeburrow Elder"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Harrow" href="#" target="_blank">Harrow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is already a staple in the format, so its inclusion here shouldn't be too surprising, but it also pairs with earthbending in a very interesting way. If you sacrifice a land that's already been earthbended, it'll come back to the battlefield tapped, which means you won't be down a land once this spell resolves.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faeburrow Elder" href="#" target="_blank">Faeburrow Elder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's one of the best mana dorks in the format, which is luckily still in a comfortable budget range. It's perfect in this list, since <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 four colors, allowing this Treefolk to eventually tap for four mana at a time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Commune with Lava"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shamanic Revelation"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Commune with Lava" href="#" target="_blank">Commune with Lava</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is filled with so many creatures with firebending, having an instant spell like this can be a great outlet for all that red mana. Gaining access to a huge chunk of cards during your combat step could truly take the table by surprise.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shamanic Revelation" href="#" target="_blank">Shamanic Revelation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: One of the deck's main goals is to get as many creatures as possible onto the board, and start bending away. So, having a spell that draws you a card for each member on your team will definitely help you out in the late game.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Become the Avalanche"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overwhelming Stampede"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Become the Avalanche" href="#" target="_blank">Become the Avalanche</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Not only does this sorcery have a perfect name to fit thematically,it can also close out games. On top of that, this list is filled with several large creatures that'll trigger that draw effect, adding even more upside to the mix.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overwhelming Stampede" href="#" target="_blank">Overwhelming Stampede</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sure, this is a great callback to when Aang leads a horde of animals through Ba Sing Se, but it's also just a powerful finisher for your strategy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temple of Plenty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sheltered Thicket"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temple of Plenty" href="#" target="_blank">Temple of Plenty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When it comes to earthbending your lands, you might end up losing a few of them during combat. If that's the case, having some of these scry lands in the deck can help get you even more value when they re-enter the battlefield after leaving it.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sheltered Thicket" href="#" target="_blank">Sheltered Thicket</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Yes, having mana fixing is important in a five-color deck like this. However, including some of these cycling lands works well with your firebending creatures. If you don't have anything to use that red mana on during combat, you can always throw these away to draw a new card.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Avatar Aang Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Avatar Aang, Master of Elements - EDHREC Article" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Avatar Aang // Aang, Master of Elements
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Appa, Loyal Sky Bison
*1 Azula, On the Hunt
*1 Badgermole
*1 Beifong&#039;s Bounty Hunters
*1 Boiling Rock Rioter
*1 Bumi, Eclectic Earthbender
*1 Dai Li Agents
*1 Earthbending Student
*1 Earthen Ally
*1 Faeburrow Elder
*1 Fire Sages
*1 Firebending Student
*1 Giant Koi
*1 Haru, Hidden Talent
*1 Katara, Bending Prodigy
*1 Katara, Water Tribe&#039;s Hope
*1 Loyal Fire Sage
*1 North Pole Patrol
*1 Rebellious Captives
*1 Rough Rhino Cavalry
*1 Sun Warriors
*1 Toph, the Blind Bandit
*1 Uncle Iroh
*1 Vindictive Warden
*1 Water Tribe Rallier
*1 Zuko, Exiled Prince
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Avatar&#039;s Wrath
*1 Become the Avalanche
*1 Cracked Earth Technique
*1 Crashing Wave
*1 Cultivate
*1 Earth Rumble
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Shamanic Revelation
*1 Shared Roots
*1 Waterbending Lesson
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Aang&#039;s Iceberg
*1 Airbender Ascension
*1 Bitter Work
*1 Earthbender Ascension
*1 Firebender Ascension
*1 Solid Ground
*1 Waterbender Ascension
*1 Watery Grasp
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Airbender&#039;s Reversal
*1 Airbending Lesson
*1 Commune with Lava
*1 Cycle of Renewal
*1 Energybending
*1 Enter the Avatar State
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Fire Nation Attacks
*1 Harrow
*1 How to Start a Riot
*1 Origin of Metalbending
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Roiling Regrowth
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bender&#039;s Waterskin
*1 Fellwar Stone
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Brushland
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*7 Forest
*1 Frontier Bivouac
*1 Game Trail
*1 Island
*1 Karplusan Forest
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Mossfire Valley
*1 Mountain
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Plains
*1 Promising Vein
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Scattered Groves
*1 Seaside Citadel
*1 Sheltered Thicket
*1 Sunpetal Grove
*1 Swamp
*1 Temple of Abandon
*1 Temple of Enlightenment
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Temple of Plenty
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Yavimaya Coast
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>There you have it, a full deck built around <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>. When we first saw this card <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/magiccon-las-vegas-preview-panel-edge-of-eternities-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all those months ago</a>, it was a complete mystery just how powerful it was going to be, since we didn't know what the bending mechanics were going to look like. Now that we've seen the whole set, we now know just how powerful this legend turned out to be.</p>
<p>Aang will truly be a great home for all your favorite cards from the set, so if you open him in one of your packs, it might just be a sign that you should put this list together. Especially since it'll only run you about $20 to buy the cards from outside of the set to assist you with getting the deck in fighting shape!</p>
<p>If you've already ripped through some <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tla" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Avatar</em></a> boosters in the past week, then you should check out my latest edition of <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/best-commons-uncommons-from-avatar-the-last-airbender" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Bulk Up</em></a>. This set is jam packed with great commons and uncommons that'll slot right into your favorite decks; so do yourself a favor and don't let those collect dust if you can help it!</p>


Avatar Aang, Master of Elements Deck Tech - All the Bending, All at Once

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link only-front"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Swift Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Swift Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by </em><a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CTetsuko%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art"><em>Tetsuko</em></a></p>
<p>When I first picked up <em>Magic</em>, I was also beginning to dabble in playing control decks in other card games. Naturally, that lead me to look into what control decks had to offer in <em>Magic</em>, and I stumbled upon one of my first loves: Azorius(<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) control. In the years since Commander has taken over <em>Magic</em>, I've been on the hunt for interesting commanders that lend themselves to this strategy. Recent reveals from <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/avatar-the-last-airbender-commander-deck-techs"><em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em></a> have provided me with a new commander that I believe will be perfect for the job. In this deck tech, I'm going to be building a sweet control deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Swift Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Swift Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aang, Swift Savior"></div></div>
<h2>What Does Aang, Swift Savior Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aven Interrupter"></div></div>
<p>Aang, Swift Savior is a three-mana 2/3 with flash. When Aang enters, he airbends up to one other target creature or spell. Then, he has an eight-mana ability with waterbend that transforms him into a 5/5 with reach and trample that puts a +1/+1 counter on each other tapped creature its owner controls when he attacks.</p>
<p>The front face reminds me a lot of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Interrupter" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Interrupter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, another three-mana flash creature that exiles a spell when it enters. However, Aang has a few things going for him that Aven Interrupter doesn't. First, he can exile a creature that's already in play! That's a huge boost to Aang's versatility as a piece of interaction. Second, he can flip into a big creature and get aggressive when the time comes to get the game over with.</p>
<p>My build of Aang is going to be a control deck that looks to take advantage of blink synergies to repeatedly exile opposing creatures and spells. Then, once all opponents have been rendered inert, this deck will turn the corner by flooding the board with creatures, flipping Aang, and turning creatures sideways to close the game out.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for Aang, Swift Savior</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aven Interrupter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Drannith Magistrate"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Swift Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Swift Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s enters trigger is great for temporarily dealing with a threat. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aven Interrupter" href="#" target="_blank">Aven Interrupter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can delay the spells that Aang airbends away a little longer by making them more expensive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drannith Magistrate" href="#" target="_blank">Drannith Magistrate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> removes opponents' ability to cast those spells entirely. As a neat bonus, Drannith Magistrate also restricts opponents from casting their commanders, a perk that has contributed to this Wizard's salt score since he was released in <em>Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths</em>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yorion, Sky Nomad"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Appa, Steadfast Guardian"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dour Port-Mage"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yorion, Sky Nomad" href="#" target="_blank">Yorion, Sky Nomad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a creature that would feel perfectly at home in the <em>Avatar</em> universe, and he's also right at home in this deck! Yorion combines with both <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> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Swift Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Swift Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to create a recurring blink engine. Yorion exiles and returns either Aang or Appa, they return and airbend Yorion, then Yorion can be cast from exile for 2 mana to repeat the process. When creatures with powerful card-advantage-generating enters triggers, like <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> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spellseeker" href="#" target="_blank">Spellseeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are added to the mix, this deck has the ability to run away with games very quickly.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archaeomancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mystic Sanctuary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghostly Flicker"></div></div>
<p>On the topic of value, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archaeomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Archaeomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Flicker" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Flicker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> combine to create one of many infinite recursion engines featured in this deck. Infinitely recurring interactive spells significantly speed up the clock on rendering opposing decks nonfunctional. Perhaps most importantly, Mystic Sanctuary returning a spell to the top of the library also provides insurance against decking out, which isn't a concern I have for this deck when things are going to plan, but if an opponent ends up exiling a win condition, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Secure the Wastes" href="#" target="_blank">Secure the Wastes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, things can veer off course far enough that it comes up.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sublime Epiphany"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Three Steps Ahead"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sublime Epiphany" href="#" target="_blank">Sublime Epiphany</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <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> can both use their copy mode to create a token copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archaeomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Archaeomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that will enter and recur a spell. Barring mana constraints, this gives the deck access to an infinite number of counterspells! I'll get into how I plan on paying for that in the win conditions section.</p>
<h2>How Does This Aang, Swift Savior Deck Win the Game?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Isochron Scepter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dramatic Reversal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Displacer Kitten"></div></div>
<div id="4821-5261" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="4821-5261" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Dramatic%20Reversal%22%2C%22Isochron%20Scepter%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20magecraft%20triggers%22%2C%22Infinite%20mana%20nonland%20permanents%20you%20control%20can%20produce%22%2C%22Infinite%20storm%20count%22%2C%22Infinite%20untap%20of%20nonland%20permanents%20you%20control%22%5D&id=4821-5261&color=U&extraRequirementCount=1"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Control decks are often quite mana-hungry. My solution is very simple: make infinite mana! I've included <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dramatic Reversal" href="#" target="_blank">Dramatic Reversal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can generate infinite mana when paired with nonland permanents that can be tapped for at least three mana. There are plenty of mana rocks to make this plan feasible, along with many tutors to assist with assembling the combo.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Displacer Kitten" href="#" target="_blank">Displacer Kitten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the element that really brings this combo into win condition territory. This deck is not particularly good at making use of infinite mana, with the exception of a couple infinite recursion combos. However, Displacer Kitten triggers is another story entirely! The Isochron Scepter Dramatic Reversal combo generates infinite cast triggers, which translates to infinite enters triggers from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Swift Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Swift Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For the rest of the game, Isochron Scepter can be activated over and over again to repeatedly blink Aang in response to airbend every creature in play and every spell an opponent casts until either this deck finds a way to win the game or the opponents simply give up. That being said, the latter is significantly more likely than the former.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Secure the Wastes"></div></div>
<p>One way to put infinite mana to good use is a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Secure the Wastes" href="#" target="_blank">Secure the Wastes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> making 300 million 1/1s to quickly wrap up a game. I like having access to this card as a way to demonstrate to opponents that have been locked out of the game that do in fact have a way to win the game. Thanks to the back face of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang, Swift Savior" href="#" target="_blank">Aang, Swift Savior</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Secure the Wastes is also a perfectly fine win condition even if infinite mana can't be sunk into it.</p>
<h2>Aang, Swift Savior Commander Decklist</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Aang, Spell Queller" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Aang, Swift Savior
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aang, Airbending Master
*1 Aether Channeler
*1 Appa, Steadfast Guardian
*1 Archaeomancer
*1 Archmage Emeritus
*1 Aven Interrupter
*1 Deep Gnome Terramancer
*1 Displacer Kitten
*1 Dour Port-Mage
*1 Drannith Magistrate
*1 Drift of Phantasms
*1 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
*1 Hydroelectric Specimen
*1 Katara, Waterbending Master
*1 Palace Jailer
*1 Phyrexian Metamorph
*1 Recruiter of the Guard
*1 Snapcaster Mage
*1 Spell Queller
*1 Spellseeker
*1 Witch Enchanter
*1 Yorion, Sky Nomad
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Airbending Lesson
*1 Cryptic Command
*1 Cyclonic Rift
*1 Dovin&#039;s Veto
*1 Dramatic Reversal
*1 Ephemerate
*1 Final Showdown
*1 Flare of Fortitude
*1 Flusterstorm
*1 Getaway Glamer
*1 Ghostly Flicker
*1 Mana Drain
*1 Muddle the Mixture
*1 Mystic Confluence
*1 Orim&#039;s Chant
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Razorgrass Ambush
*1 Reprieve
*1 Secure the Wastes
*1 Sink into Stupor
*1 Sublime Epiphany
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Three Steps Ahead
*1 Wash Away
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Avatar&#039;s Wrath
*1 Sea Gate Restoration
*1 Step Through
*1 Supreme Verdict
[/Sorceries]
[Battles]
*1 Invasion of Gobakhan
[/Battles]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Azorius Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Isochron Scepter
*1 Marble Diamond
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Sky Diamond
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Thought Vessel
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Touch the Spirit Realm
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Teferi, Time Raveler
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Command Tower
*1 Demolition Field
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Emergence Zone
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Floodfarm Verge
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Hengegate Pathway
*5 Island
*1 Jasmine Dragon Tea Shop
*1 Marsh Flats
*1 Meticulous Archive
*1 Mistrise Village
*1 Misty Rainforest
*1 Mystic Gate
*1 Mystic Sanctuary
*1 Nimbus Maze
*1 Otawara, Soaring City
*3 Plains
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Sea of Clouds
*1 Seachrome Coast
*1 Windswept Heath
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This deck is looking to commit party fouls at a frequency that probably confines it to Bracket 4 (Optimized). The two-card infinite combo of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Isochron Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Isochron Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dramatic Reversal" href="#" target="_blank">Dramatic Reversal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the squeaky wheel that eliminates it from Bracket 3 (Upgraded) contention, depending on one's interpretation of the bracket system guidelines. I would make the argument that this infinite combo requires a third piece (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Displacer Kitten" href="#" target="_blank">Displacer Kitten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) to do anything productive in 90% of cases, but those are nuances that players get to bring up in Rule Zero discussions!</p>
<p>This is a high complexity deck for players that enjoy getting really in the weeds with their decision making. At the forefront of that complexity is a high density of tutors, many of which being able to grab other tutors to eventually find the right card. I'd definitely advise a player that wanted to learn this deck to spend some time absorbing the whole decklist. Even I often find myself staring blankly at a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drift of Phantasms" href="#" target="_blank">Drift of Phantasms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in my hand, positive that I can use it to get what I need but not entirely sure if I remember how. That's part of the fun of Commander for me!</p>
<p>For more Azorius control action, I'd recommend my <em>60 to 100</em> article about <a href="https://commandersherald.com/60-to-100-caw-go/">Caw-Go</a>.</p>


Aang, Swift Savior Deck Tech

Aang, at the Crossroads Commander Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CMitori%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art.">MITORI</a></span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About a month ago, when the new Katara was previewed and it was revealed that the upcoming <em>Avatar</em> set was going to feature the return of the Ally creature type, I wrote an article about the creature type and how there were finally enough to make a solid deck.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the interim, a large amount of cards from the <em>Avatar</em> set have been released, including more Allies. A lot more Allies. So many more, in fact, that a mono-colored Ally deck is possible, albeit with a bit of help from the Changelings.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But why would we want to play mono-colored Allies? Because it would combine my two great loves in <em>Magic</em>: Typal strategies and bouncing! I am known as the Unsummoned Skull, after all!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what does bouncing have to do with Allies? And how do we get these pieces to fit together into a cohesive strategy? The key is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the centerpiece of today’s commander deck.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haru, Hidden Talent"></div></div>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Do?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First and foremost, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a cheap Ally, meaning that he's easy to cast and re-cast, with or without commander tax. This means that we can drop him early to gain a trigger off of each following Ally with his second ability or use him as a curve-topper if we have an aggressive hand, triggering any Allies’ activated abilities when he comes out.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Haru’s triggered ability, alluded to earlier, lets us earthbend 1 whenever an Ally enters under our control. For a low-to-the-ground deck, this lets us go wide with come impunity, as earthbent lands return to the battlefield tapped when they die or are exiled.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Altar of Dementia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maskwood Nexus"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, were we to get really cheeky, we could opt for a combo-style finish with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Altar of Dementia" href="#" target="_blank">Altar of Dementia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maskwood Nexus" href="#" target="_blank">Maskwood Nexus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The Nexus would turn our earthbent lands into Allies, then we can sacrifice them to the Altar, return them to the battlefield as Allies because they are earthbent lands, and earthbend themselves with Haru’s ability, milling our opponents out!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The question remains, however: why limit ourselves to mono-green Allies when there are so many other colors that Allies are in? There is no one answer, but it starts with the reason the last build went from five to three colors: aggressive decks can’t afford to stumble on mana. When they do, they become worse versions of the engines everyone else is running because, card-for-card, we run worse quality. The hope is that our aggression and synergy carries the day before that matters.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unlike other Ally commanders before him, Haru has the unique ability to go wide quickly with small creatures, simulating Elves, but doing so by animating lands and simultaneously protecting them. While Elf mana dorks are vulnerable to board wipes, earthbent lands pop right back.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overrun"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This ability to go wide with impunity means that we present a lot of damage very quickly. The problem is, our damage is on small creatures without evasion. Good thing green has a ton of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overrun" href="#" target="_blank">Overrun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects. Quite a lot of them give a power boost and an evasion boost, although we do sometimes get into the tight position where we need to figure out which lands to tap for mana and which ones to leave up as attackers. As a result, the seemingly simple deck has a lot of play to it.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Guardian Project"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="You Meet in a Tavern"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As an aggro deck, we tend to run out of gas. The draw spells we run bridge two different phases of our plan: some synergize with our bounce spells and some with our Overruns. Guardian Project allows us to draw when a creature enters, which we can also use to re-activate our Ally triggers. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="You Meet in a Tavern" href="#" target="_blank">You Meet in a Tavern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an Overrun effect that also lets us find multiple creatures if we need more bodies to get rolling.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloudstone Curio"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Temur Sabertooth"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking of bounce spells, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloudstone Curio" href="#" target="_blank">Cloudstone Curio</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Temur Sabertooth" href="#" target="_blank">Temur Sabertooth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are repeatable bounce effects that let us operate as an aggro-combo deck. Most Allies have abilities that trigger when an Ally enters, including our commander, so triggering these abilities multiple times in a turn is necessary to our engine.</span></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Three Tree City"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mutavault"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Faceless Haven"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soulstone Sanctuary"></div></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our nonbasic lands provide a boost of mana, making it so we don’t have to rely as heavily on our animated lands. These include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx" href="#" target="_blank">Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Tree City" href="#" target="_blank">Three Tree City</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We can also sneak in a couple of extra Allies with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutavault" href="#" target="_blank">Mutavault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faceless Haven" href="#" target="_blank">Faceless Haven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soulstone Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Soulstone Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> all able to be animated as creatures with all creature types.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Does This <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Commander Deck Win?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We aim to drop our commander early and expand our board with both Allies and earthbent lands before dropping an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overrun" href="#" target="_blank">Overrun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to deal massive amounts of damage. We use bounce and draw spells to avoid running out of gas before dealing the finishing blow.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haru, Hidden Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Haru, Hidden Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Commander Decklist</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Haru, Hidden Talent Commander Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Haru, Hidden Talent
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Ancestral Statue
*1 Beastcaller Savant
*1 Chameleon Colossus
*1 Earthbending Student
*1 Game-Trail Changeling
*1 Gladewalker Ritualist
*1 Graypelt Hunter
*1 Guardian Gladewalker
*1 Harabaz Druid
*1 Invasive Species
*1 Joraga Bard
*1 Littjara Glade-Warden
*1 Masked Vandal
*1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
*1 Realmwalker
*1 Rebellious Captives
*1 Stickytongue Sentinel
*1 Stonework Puma
*1 Sylvan Advocate
*1 Tajuru Archer
*1 Tajuru Beastmaster
*1 Tajuru Pathwarden
*1 Tajuru Stalwart
*1 Tajuru Warcaller
*1 Temur Sabertooth
*1 Toph, the Blind Bandit
*1 Turntimber Ranger
*1 Universal Automaton
*1 Vastwood Animist
*1 Webweaver Changeling
*1 Woodland Changeling
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Become the Avalanche
*1 Fangs of Kalonia
*1 Formless Genesis
*1 Last March of the Ents
*1 Nature&#039;s Cloak
*1 Noxious Assault
*1 Overrun
*1 Overwhelming Encounter
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Preposterous Proportions
*1 Rydia&#039;s Return
*1 Storm the Seedcore
*1 Triumph of the Hordes
*1 You Meet in a Tavern
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Birthing Boughs
*1 Blood Clock
*1 Cloudstone Curio
*1 Decoction Module
*1 Dragon Mask
*1 Erratic Portal
*1 Maskwood Nexus
*1 Skullclamp
*1 The Great Henge
*1 Umbilicus
[/Artifacts]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Chord of Calling
*1 Inspiring Call
*1 Shared Summons
*1 Vitalizing Wind
[/Instants]
&nbsp;
[Lands]
*1 Arch of Orazca
*1 Cavern of Souls
*1 Faceless Haven
*30 Forest
*1 Hidden Nursery
*1 Mutavault
*1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Soulstone Sanctuary
*1 Three Tree City
*1 War Room
[/Lands]
&nbsp;"></span></div></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conclusion</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Allies are a ton of fun as a creature type. They can oscillate between aggro, combo, and tempo, leveraging a conflux of ETB effects, building to a crescendo like a beautiful piece of music.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But how would you build Allies? And do you think we captured their teamwork?</span></p>


aang

The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Multicolor Avatar Commanders

Going Wide With Aang and Katara in Commander

Avatar Aang, Master of Elements Deck Tech - All the Bending, All at Once

Aang, Swift Savior Deck Tech

Aang, at the Crossroads Commander Deck Tech

Building Ally Typal with Haru, Hidden Talent

A Beginner-Friendly Commander Deck with Aang, Air Nomad

Aang, Airbending Master Commander Deck Tech