Magic: The Gathering x Avatar May Print One of the Best Commanders Ever

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As a dedicated Magic: The Gathering fan, I can’t help but feel a buzz of anticipation shifting from the upcoming Spider-Man set, due on September 26, towards the highly anticipated Avatar: The Last Airbender collection, slated for a November release. While we eagerly await the Spidey cards, leaks for the Avatar set have already started to surface, and just like other Universes Beyond releases, it’s split into two – Avatar: The Last Airbender (TLA) and Avatar: The Last Airbender Eternal (TLE). The latter is particularly intriguing as it offers cards compatible only with Eternal formats, making this launch even more significant. And let me tell you, with Jumpstart Boosters set to make a comeback, there’s a real chance we could get our hands on one of the best commanders ever printed!

It’s possible to contend that this situation with the Avatar set is quite ironic, given that it doesn’t incorporate Commander decks like most UB (Unstable and Born) releases have done. In contrast, Final Fantasy managed to include them. However, Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set is also abandoning Commander decks and instead focusing on “Welcome Decks,” designed to help new players grasp the game. This shift towards Welcome Decks is significant within Universes Beyond. Among the cards revealed for TLE (Throne of Eldraine) so far, Katara, Waterbending Master, is expected to be a standout card in cEDH (competitive Commander), whether used as a commander or in the 99.

Magic: The Gathering’s Avatar Set Adds an OP Blue Commander

In a humorous twist, although Katara, the Waterbending Master, bears the name suggesting a connection to the Avatar-themed Magic: The Gathering set, she doesn’t possess the waterbending mechanic associated with that show. Instead, she stands out as an impressive creature in her own right. To summon Katara, you need 1 generic and 1 Blue mana, which brings forth a creature with a power of 1 and toughness of 3.

In Commander games, where spell casting is frequent, Katara offers a unique advantage: she awards experience counters to the player whenever they cast a spell during their opponent’s turn. This can happen quite often in such games. Then, when Katara attacks, the player draws a card for each experience counter they have amassed. Following that, they are required to discard one card.

In many Commander decks within Magic: The Gathering, there are numerous strategies to interact with opponents, particularly in Blue decks. This includes ways to shield Katara and amass experience counters. For instance, Fierce Guardianship serves as a free counterspell if your commander is active on the battlefield, while Swan Song is a cost-effective counterspell for enchantments, instants, and sorceries that requires only one Blue mana. This sort of backing for Katara can result in players earning multiple experience counters with each turn cycle, enabling Katara to attack frequently and draw many cards, regardless of the current state of the board.

It’s important to mention that Katara’s special ability is activated by any type of spell, which includes fast-counting creatures as well. This makes it especially effective when paired with cards such as Orcish Bowmasters.

One key reason Katara, the Waterbending Master, could be overpowered in Magic: The Gathering is because the experience points (or counters) she generates stay on the player, not the card itself. This means that even after her destruction, the counters remain, providing a lasting advantage. With Katara residing in the command zone, she can always be summoned to generate counters and draw cards. Furthermore, given her low converted mana cost (CMC) of 2, she could potentially be played as early as turn one.

Why MTG’s Katara, Waterbending Master is OP in Commander

Blue decks often focus on drawing cards because they offer a high chance of obtaining all necessary pieces to win quickly. As a result, Katara, Waterbending Master, starts with an advantage over other commanders due to her abilities. By playing extra turn cards in Blue or even Thassa’s Oracle, you can potentially win instantly without the typical cEDH combination involving Demonic Consultation. This strategy can be executed using Katara in any commander deck that includes both Blue and Black, with Tymna/Kraum being a strong option for competitive play (cEDH).

In the game of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), especially in Commander format, Katara is a versatile card that can be retrieved from the deck using different tutors, making it convenient to play her at some point. As a leader, she is an extremely affordable, dependable, and swift tool for emptying one’s deck as quickly as possible. Although there is a limit on hand size in MTG Commander games, one can discard cards to meet this requirement and keep the essential items needed to win. In this context, Katara might even outshine Urza, Lord High Artificer, becoming one of the top Blue commanders and among the best regardless of colors.

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2025-08-29 01:34