Why Firebending in Magic’s Avatar Set Terrifies Me

Select Language:

MTG Avatar: The Last Airbender is a major highlight for the game. While it wasn’t necessarily on everyone’s wish list for a Universes Beyond release, now that it’s here, it feels like the perfect addition to Magic: The Gathering. Honestly, it’s surprising it wasn’t done sooner.

To prepare you for its launch, here’s a complete guide to everything about Aang, Katara, and Sokka’s first appearance in one of the top card games. This includes details about the new mechanics that make this set special and which items to focus on. After all, the Black Friday MTG deals are starting up, so we might see some Avatar-themed Magic products discounted this November.

Quick facts about MTG Avatar: The Last Airbender:

It’s a Universes Beyond set
Covers the entire Avatar story
Adds new mechanics centered around bending

This set is part of a tradition of crossover expansions that introduce popular IP into Magic: The Gathering. It’s not just re-themed cards; it features entirely new cards and decks that reflect the core themes of the franchise—namely, ‘bending.’

Does MTG Avatar: The Last Airbender meet current standards?
Yes, the set is legal to play in the Standard format, so you can include Aang and his friends in your matches right now.

When was it released?
The set dropped on November 21, 2025, and is available now. Like most releases, it started with previews and prerelease events, with some content also launching for digital players on MTG Arena.

What are the new mechanics?
Avatar exists in a world where people can ‘bend’ the four elements, and each element brings its own mechanics:

Airbending: Exile a permanent to recast it from exile for two generic mana—great for protection or triggering effects that require casting from outside your hand.
Waterbending: Pay costs by tapping your creatures instead of mana, similar to a mechanic called Convoke. It also interacts with mechanics that care about tapped creatures.
Firebending: An attack trigger that provides a set amount of red mana, useful for fueling big plays, especially with cards that allow you to keep the mana longer.
Earthbending: Turn a land into a creature and add +1/+1 counters. This can be risky but offers great synergy with land creatures and can lead to unstoppable combos.

Are Allies returning?
Yes, Allies—a creature type that supports each other—are making a comeback with new cards like Sokka, Tenacious Tactician, and United Front. This is their biggest appearance since 2016, so now’s a good time to build a commander deck around them.

Special artwork treatments include:

Seven unique styles, like scene cards, battle poses, and field notes, which feature different visual themes.
Aang has a Borderless Raised Foil card for collectors.
Scene cards connect two cards to depict iconic moments, such as the finale scenes.
Neon ink treatment exclusive to certain boosters, emphasizing key characters with vibrant foiling.
Special Source Material Bonus Sheets in both Play and Collector boosters, showcasing reprints with art from the show, like Teferi’s Protection and The Great Henge.

Product releases and deals:
Beyond the usual boosters and scene boxes, a new Commander bundle is launching. It includes exclusive staples like Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, and Swiftfoot Boots, along with alternate art cards. If you’re looking to save, our team is constantly tracking discounts, so check below for current best prices.

That sums up everything you need to know about MTG Avatar: The Last Airbender. Whether you’re a collector, player, or both, this set offers plenty of exciting new content to explore.