Magic: The Gathering’s latest Universes Beyond crossover brings the beloved world of Avatar: The Last Airbender straight into the game. For the first time, players can actually bend the elements on the battlefield, relive major moments from the series, and collect iconic characters in stunning new card treatments.
Whether you’re a long-time Magic player, someone who grew up watching Avatar, or you’re just here to shout “Yip Yip!” with the rest of us, this set has something truly special to dive into.
The Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender (“MTGxATLA”) set releases November 21, 2024.
Collecting Highlights: The Cards Everyone Will Be Talking About
This set is designed with both casual fans and serious collectors in mind. Here are the standout collectible features to keep an eye on:
Avatar Aang Raised Foil Card
The signature card of the set is a borderless raised foil version of Avatar Aang, illustrated by series co-creator Bryan Konietzko.
- Available exclusively in Collector Boosters
- Printed only in English
Battle Pose Textless Neon Foils
Inspired by the show’s iconic intro sequence, this set feature textless neon ink foil borderless battle pose cards, complete with a textless treatment to show off the artwork.
- Available exclusively in Collector Boosters
Borderless Source Material Cards
This set includes 61 cards using actual frames from the original animated series. Each card is labelled by the book and episode that the artwork comes from in the bottom left corner of the card.
- Non-foils are available in Play Boosters + Collector Boosters
- Foils are only available in Collector Boosters
Borderless Scene Cards
The major finales of each Book are recreated as panoramic scenes:
- Book 1: 4-card spread
- Book 2: 6-card spread
- Book 3: 9-card epic finale
When placed side-by-side, they form full cinematic moments perfect for binders, shelves, or display frames.
- Available in Play Boosters + Collector Boosters
Gameplay: Element Bending Comes to Magic
This set introduces brand-new mechanics inspired by bending, designed to feel true to the Avatar universe.
Firebending
Power that burns fast and bright.
When a creature with Firebending attacks, you temporarily gain red mana that can be spent during combat.
Airbending
Evasion, agility, redirection.
Temporarily exiles a spell or permanent so it can be cast again later. Great for avoiding danger or resetting threats.
Waterbending
Adaptability and flow.
You can tap creatures or artifacts instead of paying mana for certain abilities or spells.
Earthbending
Strength, foundation, pressure.
Turns your lands into creatures with +1/+1 counters. And if they die, they return safely tapped, ready to be used again.
Returning Mechanics That Fit Naturally Into Avatar’s World
Some familiar Magic mechanics return in this set, not just because they’re popular, but because they make sense in the Avatar universe. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
Double-Faced Sagas
These Sagas tell story arcs across multiple chapters. Once the final chapter resolves, the Saga exiles itself and returns transformed as the character at the centre of that story.
Lesson Spells
Lessons don’t bring back the learn mechanic. Instead, some cards in the set reward you for casting Lesson spells or having Lessons in your graveyard. It reflects Avatar’s core theme: growth through experience.
Exhaust
Exhaust abilities give you a one-time burst of power and mark themselves after use. It represents those pivotal “push past your limits” Avatar moments.
Clue Tokens
Clues are artifact tokens that can be sacrificed to draw a card, helping your deck maintain momentum. Avatar is full of discoveries on the journey, so this fits perfectly.
Shrines
Shrines return as legendary enchantments that get more powerful when multiple Shrines are in play. They represent the sacred spiritual locations that define each Nation.
A Love Letter to Avatar Fans
What makes this crossover truly stand out is how thoughtfully it brings the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender into Magic. The bending mechanics don’t just reference the elements on a surface level. They accurately capture the philosophy and style behind each discipline. Firebending feels explosive and driven by momentum, waterbending is fluid and resourceful, earthbending is steady and resilient, and airbending rewards patience and clever timing. The artwork and card treatments also feel intentional, celebrating not just iconic moments, but the emotional storytelling that made the series so timeless.
For fans who grew up with Avatar, this set is more than a novelty; it’s an invitation to step back into a world that meant something. You can build a deck around Zuko’s journey, relive the Northern Water Tribe siege, or simply enjoy the quiet joy of knowing Appa is right there with your team.
Whether you play competitively, collect for display, or just want something that sparks nostalgia, the Magic: The Gathering | Avatar: The Last Airbender set offers a genuinely heartfelt way to reconnect with one of animation’s most meaningful stories.