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


Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless

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


atla

Building an Ally Deck with Katara, the Fearless

Reprints We Want To See in the Upcoming Avatar Magic Set

Archetune-Up - Atla Palani's Eggcelent Adventure