Magic: The Gathering’s Best Avatar Commander is Already Clear, and it’s Not Aang

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The new Magic: The Gathering set based on Avatar: The Last Airbender is getting a lot of positive feedback from fans, who think the world and characters fit seamlessly into the game. The set introduces four unique mechanics based on the different types of elemental bending, creating lots of opportunities for powerful card combinations, not just within the set itself, but with existing MTG cards as well. This is especially exciting for Commander players, who are known for building intricate combos – like the popular Thassa’s Oracle and Demonic Consultation pairing. A new commander card inspired by Avatar is generating buzz and looks like it could be a strong addition to the game.

Katara, Waterbending Master is a very powerful commander for decks focused solely on the color blue in Magic: The Gathering, and Aang, at the Crossroads is quickly becoming a top contender for the best commander from this new set. Several other cards are also excellent additions to any Commander deck, offering flexibility and strength. One example is the recently revealed Wan Shi Tong, All-Knowing, which has the potential to be either the best commander in the Avatar set, or the best card to include as a utility option in any deck – possibly even both! Here’s why:

  • Wan Shi Tong has synergies with many Commander staples (especially in cEDH), such as:
    • Sisay, Weatherlight Captain can tutor for it and/or use it to boost itself.
    • Valley Floodcaller untaps it due to its bird subtype and also gives it +1/+1 whenever a noncreature spell is cast.
    • Infinite mana sink in decks like Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy, or Flubs, the Fool.
    • Combos with Hullbreaker Horror for infinite card draw.
    • Powerful synergy with Tymna, the Weaver, which is one of the most powerful and played commanders in the game.
    • Amazing reaction card to use versus fetchlands or tutor cards, thanks to its flash ability.
  • Wan Shi Tong can ideally be cast during an opponent’s turn, even for just 2 Blue mana, as it can get multiple +1/+1 counters in a turn cycle in Commander games due to how many tutor-like abilities are played.
  • MTG‘s Rhystic Study can make for a powerful stax combo with Wan Shi Tong due to the former drawing cards and the latter getting more powerful whenever a tutor is used.

As a Commander card, Wan Shi Tong is affected by the ‘Commander Tax’ – the extra mana cost for casting it from the command zone. This means the added mana doesn’t count towards the ‘X’ in its mana cost. So, if it’s been cast once before, players must pay 1 colorless and 2 blue mana initially, then add any amount of mana for the ‘X’ portion of the cost.

Say Hello to Magic: The Gathering’s Best Commander Card in Avatar: The Last Airbender

Wan Shi Tong is a powerful commander because you can cast it directly from the command zone. Most Commander decks include cards that help you search for and find specific cards (like lands or ramp spells), making it very likely Wan Shi Tong will quickly become a significant threat. Plus, with flying and vigilance, it’s a strong attacker and defender once it gains power.

How to Play MTG’s Wan Shi Tong, All-Knowing in Commander

Similar to skilled Magic: The Gathering commanders, Wan Shi Tong excels with different combinations and plans. You could build a deck around birds, equip him with powerful artifacts (a ‘Voltron’ strategy), use his readily available card draw to support any deck, or create a deck focused on powerful artifacts.

For a strong addition to a Wan Shi Tong Voltron deck in Magic: The Gathering, consider Commander’s Plate. This inexpensive equipment card only costs 4 mana to cast and equip, and it grants the equipped creature +3/+3 and protection from white, black, red, and green.

Wan Shi Tong offers incredible versatility and isn’t limited to one particular way of playing. However, as a Blue commander in Magic: The Gathering, it relies heavily on spells that respond to opponents’ actions – like counterspells such as Flusterstorm and Fierce Guardianship – to protect itself from removal and continue gaining power.

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2025-11-05 23:39