Magic: The Gathering Unveils "Avatar: The Last Airbender" Crossover Set
Following the tremendous reception of its 'Final Fantasy' expansion, 'Magic: The Gathering' is poised to captivate a new audience with a highly anticipated crossover set drawing inspiration from 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'. This strategic move by Wizards of the Coast, unveiled during their 'WeeklyMTG' podcast on August 12, aims to replicate previous successes by integrating the beloved animated series' unique elements into the card game. The forthcoming collection, scheduled for a November 21 release, will introduce novel bending mechanics across the four elemental disciplines—Air, Water, Fire, and Earth—along with reintroducing fan-favorite card types such as Allies and Shrines, offering both thematic depth and strategic new gameplay avenues for enthusiasts.
The initial preview showcased several key cards that highlight the innovative mechanics and character integrations. Appa, the faithful sky bison, appears as 'Appa, Steadfast Guardian', a 3/4 flying creature with flash. His airbending ability allows players to exile and re-cast their non-land permanents for a reduced cost, while also generating Ally tokens, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of Team Avatar. This ability hints at broader applications for airbending, potentially affecting opponents' permanents in future reveals.
The Ally creature type makes a significant return in this set, symbolizing the strong bonds among the characters. Cards like 'Avatar Enthusiasts' (a 2/2 Human Peasant Ally) exemplify this, bestowing a +1/+1 counter on other Allies entering the battlefield, underscoring the collective strength. Katara's representation, 'Katara, Water Tribe's Hope', is a Blue/White Human Warrior Ally with vigilance. Her waterbending ability, a blend of 'convoke' and 'improvise' mechanics, allows players to scale creature power and toughness by tapping artifacts or creatures, reflecting her dynamic control over water.
\nFirebending is embodied by 'Fire Lord Zuko', a Red/White/Black Human Noble Ally whose power dictates the amount of red mana he generates upon attacking. This mana can be used to cast spells or activate abilities, providing a fiery burst of offense. Zuko's card also synergizes with airbending, boosting creatures with +1/+1 counters when cards are cast or returned from exile, showcasing the intertwined nature of the elemental powers. Toph, the pioneer of metalbending, is featured as 'Toph, the First Metalbender', a Red/White/Green Human Warrior Ally. Her earthbending ability allows players to transform lands into creatures with haste and +1/+1 counters, demonstrating the versatility and resilience of this elemental discipline. Even if these temporary creatures are destroyed or exiled, the lands return to the battlefield tapped, minimizing risk.
\nBeyond the primary characters, the set reintroduces the Shrine enchantment type from 'Champions of Kamigawa'. The 'Southern Air Temple' Shrine, for instance, enhances creatures with +1/+1 counters based on the number of Shrines controlled, creating powerful synergies. The 'Lesson' spell subtype also returns, allowing players to access cards from outside the game (typically their sideboard), exemplified by 'Redirect Lightning'. This Instant Lesson, inspired by Uncle Iroh's wisdom, permits players to alter the target of spells or abilities, reflecting the strategic redirection of energy. Even Sokka, who is not a bender, receives a card, 'Sokka, Bold Boomeranger', benefiting from artifacts and Lessons, highlighting the importance of ingenuity and instruction in the Avatar universe. His accompanying 'Sokka's Haiku' offers a potent, albeit costly, counterspell.
\nThis upcoming 'Magic: The Gathering' expansion not only promises engaging gameplay mechanics tied to the 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' narrative but also features aesthetically pleasing artwork, including borderless field notes cards, full-art Appa basic lands, and elemental frame cards that visually emphasize the different bending styles. The diverse range of available products, from booster packs to comprehensive bundles, ensures that both seasoned players and new fans can dive deep into this richly detailed crossover experience upon its physical release on November 21 and digital launch on 'Magic: The Gathering Arena' on November 18.
