Avatar: The Last Airbender "Precon" Contest (Locked)

{"ops":[{"insert":"this deck is for the archidekt x tolarian community College crossover to make a precon for the preconless avatar set\n\nat first I wanted to build \"The Cabbage Merchant\" but then after looking at the pattern of old precons I realized that wizards of the coast would never make a cabbage precon. so i decided to make a deck built with all my other favorites Appa, Appa, Appa, and Appa! however I realized that these shouldnt be the commander so I chose ang so I could still run my silly little sky bison friends while also having one of the more focused on and worked on cards in the set: Aang, Skybending Master. though most modern precons feature multi-colored commanders I felt that five color aang was to basic and didn't have much room for freedom as it essentially required you use every ally in the set. in the early stages I kept seeing characters that I really wanted to add. sadly neither the characters or their abilities would have synergy or relevance to my theme, that theme being the airbenders legacy, the airbenders where wiped out before the show started which makes it so that they have less cards in this set. this isnt a good or bad thing but it allowed me more room to insert cards from outside the avatar set that would synergize with my deck. my first thought on a secondary theme would be kor, mostly because of the kitesail kor which really reminded me of aang and his glider staff which i thought could tie in to the main theme nicely. then i looked at more bounce cards these should work similarly to airbending and from my experience in formats like pauper I immediately grabbed: kor skyfisher, glinthawk, and ephemerate. these would allow me to bounce my cards that create creatures as an etb trigger which leads to my win condition: hordes. I know, pretty basic for a white deck but precons should be easily digestible and not to strong so a deck that lets you tutor to get some random op trigger that you bounce infinitely would never end up on a precon by wizards. It also let me find some pretty good common commander staples that work into this deck type and I think thats great because most precons do in fact use staples (sol ring, arcane signet, ect.)\n\nwrap up: overall this deck building challenge has been very fun and it led me to make a deck i actually might play.(p.s if i dont win please let cabbage merchant win!)\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Entry for the TCC lost Avatar precon contest, as I'd hoped to see precon decks for each element. This is a mono red firebending led by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zuko, Firebending Master"}},{"insert":" , with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Avatar Roku, Firebender"}},{"insert":" as the alternate commander.\n\nThis deck is focused on making the most of firebending mana and using mana during combat. it does include ways to store the mana for use later, and ways to cast things at flash speed to help cast big, game-winning spells (or the commander, if it gets removed.) A forced combat subtheme ensures that the opponents are also attacking to benefit from Avatar Roku's ability, and there are plenty of combat tricks that don't have to target our own creatures. I tried to be as flavorful as possible, and include some value reprints as well!\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"\n\nIroh wanders beyond the Fire Nation, he learns that every teaching is a seed—quiet, patient, waiting to bloom. This Temur deck turns those seeds into power. With cards like Waterbending Lesson and Elemental Teachings, your graveyard becomes a garden of knowledge ready to be called upon again once Iroh enters the battlefield.\n\nAlong the way, guides from every corner of the world help you prepare for your moment of clarity.\nCards like Gran-Gran supports your path by growing your resources and steadying your footing, pairing naturally with value engines like Primal Amulet as your lessons accumulate.\n with Guru Pathik and sokka, reflection becomes insight; each lesson you learn fuels deeper understanding, filling your hand and graveyard with the tools needed for the final release, while making them bigger to rival your opponents.\n\nWhen your Lotus is ready to open, the deck shifts from patience to impact.\nUnder the watchful eye of King Bumi, your stored wisdom erupts in a single sweeping moment—flashbacking your Lessons with Iroh, surging storm count, and unleashing an army through cards like Stormscale Scion or Hunting Pack. With haste enablers ready, your tokens gather as one, turning enlightenment into victory in a single strike worthy of Ba Sing Se.\n\nLesson Bending is a journey of growth, wisdom, and timing: nurture your seeds, let your Lotus open, and end the game with a storm of knowledge unleashed all at once.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"image":"https://i.imgur.com/AlshTtB.png"}},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"link":"https://i.imgur.com/9A6uAK1.png"},"insert":"Link to full size"},{"insert":"\n\n\nPrecon Description as Wizards would write:\nMeet Aang! Once trapped in an iceburg and in lost precon jail, he is now free and ready to begin his bending journey!  Relive fun, memorable moments from the television show, rediscover friendships, and visit classic locations. Use lessons and allies alike to firebend, earthbend, waterbend, and airbend to allow you to draw cards with Avatar Aang, and once you have done all four in one turn, you can transform him into Aang, Master of Elements, allowing you to discount all spells by one color of mana each, allowing you to swing in for victory. Tap into the powers of the previous avatars with transforming enchanments, allowing for explosive playoffs, and seek help from Aang's friends like Katara, Toph, and Zuko. \n\nDetails: \nThe three main themes of this deck are using spells to get repeatable or reliable triggers for Aang's bending turn requirement, using spell discounts and token triggers for going wide and protecting your plan, and finally using enchantments to enable your winning plan. All cards chosen are featured in either TLA or TLE sets, because I wanted the player to relive the core moments of the store. I remember being so excited to see moments I remembered as a kid from Final Fantasy or Doctor Who. Speaking of Doctor Who, I wished there was an all doctors deck and this deck is an homage to that with the various avatars showing up to help. One of my biggest goals was not making this deck overwhelmingly powerful, and I wanted to have creatures or spells that felt like \"beetles\" to me. What I mean by that, I started MTG with a Liliana deck from the Amoket set that had a bunch of bugs and beetles. This puzzled me, because as a new player I expected all zombies but learned the hidden theme or love of upgrading these \"beetle\" cards. So in this list, you have a potential precon list. I played into the idea of what if the Commandzone, or TCC, Commander at Home or various others, would suggest as fun in-universe upgrades. So Aang's friends aren't the most powerful versions, because they and Aang have a journey to go on first. Even though you can build a 5 colored commander version with this card, and the upgrade suggestions show this, I wanted to stick to four colors because this felt more like what WOC would do and would be more new player friendly. Lesson cards are used by this deck to reward the player by using cantrips to activate Avatar Aang's ability, and there are several cards that reward you for having lesson cards in your graveyard.\n\nArt Disclaimer: I made the art using photoshop and the FF decks as a reference. I used avatar font I found for free and the avatar logo from WOC marketing material.\n\nThank you for taking the time to review my deck. ♥\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"The fire nation is on the brink of war! Help Roku make the best of the situation be letting your opponents kill each other\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This Avatar Aang deck follows the story of the last Airbender mastering all four elements with the help of his friends. It consists of only cards from Avatar set in an appropriate price and power bracket for a commander precon.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck focuses on the fast aggressive nature of Azula by including a bunch of cards that enables flash, and some removal spells. \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Prepare to cry from the power of Katara, and her many allies as they save the world of Magic The Gathering. With earthbending, airbending, waterbending, and blood bending its sure to be a real tear-bender. The heart of the cards couldn't be in better hands than the lovely and powerful Katara. \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is primarily meant to teach you, yes you dear viewer, how to Firebend! Summon pillars of fiery red mana and use it to blast your opponents away! Or perhaps you might use your cunning and resources to have your opponents do all the work for you! Truly the choice is yours, may victory be guided to you as an act of providence.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"With Toph, The First Metalbender as a commander, I decided to blend of mechanics.Landfall themes, land-matters effects, enter the battlefield artifacts and a dash of Metalcraft to round out the mix of mechanics.\nEarthbending small artifacts allow for disposable attacks or blockers with recurring effects on death or entry.\nLandfall triggers from both lands and artifacts can generate a swarm of chocobos or place counters across creatures.\nThere are some passive effects to buff creatures with counters, consider lands and/or artifacts.\n\nAnd a bit of Metalcraft cos it felt thematic to Toph! Remember Metalcraft?! :D\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Based on the way WOTC designed the precons for Doctor Who, I feel like they would have made Avatar precon decks based on the different seasons and a fourth deck commanded by [[Fire Lord Azula]] that was focused on the Fire Nation. There is a strong argument for a fifth deck for \"Team Avatar\" headed up by [[Avatar Aang]] that would function as a 5 color Ally typal deck and showcasing everyone coming together and the outcome of the final season. However, that would also be a poor way to showcase the bending styles as no one type would be able to shine, let alone all of them. \n\nBut as for the decks based on the seasons -\n\nBook One: Water helmed by [[Katara, the Fearless]]\n\nBook Two: Earth with [[Toph, the First Metalbender]]\n\nBook Three: Fire would be lead by [[Fire Lord Zuko]]\n\nWhat I wanted to do differently from the Doctor Who precons is use the \"villian\" deck to showcase the redemption of the Fire Nation not just fill it will all the bad guys. The name for the deck also hints at that using the line from the opening monologue. Yes the Fire Nation attacked, but also the Fire Nation changed. The face commander is indeed Fire Lord Azula, but the backup commander also shows the redemption by having the alt commander as Mai and Zuko. This version of the deck allows for the inclusion of some of the high value reprints WOTC usually includes in precons such as Deflecting Swat and Force of Negation (Fierce Guardianship would obviously be in the Katara precon) and some value reprints like Leyline of Anticipation.\n\nBut ultimately this is a deck that has synergies with both possible commanders, avenues for upgrading, and reasons for both new and established players to invest in the deck. These are all hallmarks of what I think makes a good precon\n\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"A full little shrine deck that I wanted to make after seeing the Shrine jumpstart half deck. I used it as a base and then added all the fun shrine cards. It leans towards getting your commander Hei Bai out asap and then you keep getting more and more shrines out to overwhelm your opponents. There's enchantment support with some neat inclusions like Boomerang basics to retrigger Hei Bai and Brilliant restoration incase they have enchantment hate, but I mostly tried to stay to bracket 2, I wanted this to seem like an actual commander deck wizards would have made. The Spiritual bit was more for alliteration and referencing avatar's spirit world being the home of Hei Bai in that regard over a ton of spirits in the deck, though there are a few. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"I wanted to include every Toph I possibly could without breaking certain guidelines that I think WOTC probably has in place regarding printing cards across their various supplemental products. This includes the Melon Lord. So both of the TLE Tophs are missing from this list.\n\nI did, however, include some cards from TLE that work particularly well in the deck, while also sticking to not trying to destroy the \"chase\" value of Avatar Jumpstart packs. Kiyoshi Warrior Exemplars synergizes very well with the fact that the player will always have a decent number of lands. I included Earthbending Student in particular because that card needs to be a lot more accessible than it currently is, and it works well in the deck anyway. Tale of Katara and Toph is particularly good in the deck, and is the highest rarity TLE card included in the deck for both synergistic and flavorful reasons. That's Rough, Buddy works well with the +1/+1 counter theme and the sacrifice theme.\n\nFor the creatures in the deck they are for the most part divided into two categories: the Arcbound and the Allies. Arcbound creatures, particularly Reclaimer, and Crusher, need more reprints, and Ravager is the face of the archetype. To add to this, Modular cards work very, very well with Earthbending as a mechanic, with even Power Depot and the Graft land Llanowar Reborn finally getting a chance to shine. Notable reprint Claws of Gix helps to encourage the Arcbound creatures into the graveyard, and I chose it to be a major sacrifice outlet in the deck over Zuran Orb for desired reprint reasons, since it hasn't come back in nearly 20 years. \n\nAllies are a core pillar of the Avatar set, and it would certainly help players who are trying to build decks around Allies to have access to a few older Ally cards that would help out both for this deck and a deck that any buyer would want to make. Harabaz Druid is the big hit here, but Sylvan Advocate, Munda's Vanguard, and Vastwood Animist all work with the land animation theme or the +1/+1 counter theme, and only Sylvan Advocate has ever had a reprint. The rest of the Allies in the deck are chosen because they fit with the themes of the deck. Many of them Earthbend or grant bonuses for the deck working as intended, like Great Divide Guide (and WOTC favorite Chromatic Lantern) giving all the artifacts-turned-lands actual mana abilities, and Suki, Courageous Rescuer rewarding the player for sacrificing their Earthbent and Modular permanents. A player could even get blue or black mana from those artifacts-turned-lands and creatures to cast Etched Oracle for the full Sunburst effect.\n\nOther notable reprints include Ozolith, the Shattered Spire and Power Conduit for +1/+1 counter fun, Granulate and Cleansing Meditation because they have never been reprinted, and Planar Outburst because it fills the really specific niche that this deck loves.\n\nI also tried to include as many Earthbending cards as I could, and as many cards that depict Toph as I could, not just her versions. Bitter Work, Earthbender Ascension, Solid Ground, Origin of Metalbending, Earth Rumble and Seismic Sense are all cards with her on them that work particularly well in the deck. To go even further with flavor, major characters from the Gaang each appear on at least one card. Aang is on Shared Roots, Sparring Dummy, Cycle of Renewal, and Bitter Work. Katara is on Tale of Katara and Toph and Cycle of Renewal. Sokka is on Sokka's Sword Training, and Zuko even joins him for That's Rough, Buddy. Even Appa and Momo appear on the basic lands.\n\nObuun, Mul Daya Ancestor serves as the secondary commander for the deck, since there's always a secondary commander, and barring the ability to make one up on my own based on Bumi, this is the one that works best and is least accessibly printed. Hardened Scales, Path to Exile, Wayfarer's Bauble, Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Solemn Simulacrum, Tireless Tracker, and various nonbasic lands are all synergistic includes that have been in Commander products before, and others like Shrapnel Blast and Thornglint Bridge would be perfectly allowable by WOTC standards.\n\nThen there are the big reprints that I haven't yet explained. Crystal Vein and Wooded Bastion have no defensible reason for being so expensive and rare. Blinkmoth Nexus and Ally Encampment both work well with one side or the other of the deck. All-Fates Scroll would get a reprint really soon, but it's too funny not to include the mana rock that can randomly draw 15 cards in this deck. Liquimetal Torque lets the player Earthbend any of their permanents while Commander Toph is out, thus making it a form of protection. And Goblin Welder is a \"chase\" card for the deck in addition to working very well with the Modular theme. Sacrifice an Earthbent Modular card and get both it and another artifact back!\n\nThe mana base is interesting, with lots of extra things to do, but not too good, since WOTC hates the idea of putting shocks or fetches in their Commander products. Crystal Vein, Horizon Canopy, Buried Ruin, Ally Encampment, and Vibrant Cityscape all can sacrifice themselves for some effect, so they can return after Earthbending has empowered them. Vibrant Cityscape could even be re-painted as Ba Sing Se to fit with the setting better.\n\nThank you for your consideration of my Toph, the First Metalbender deck. It's a deck with a lot of recoverability, which is good, because it's supposed to sound like it's tough.\n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"I wanted to make a deck full of only cards from the Avatar set (plus a few lands cause you know 5 colours and everything). A lot of the choices of which cards to put came from the cards that I opened and loved playing in the pre release. \nEvery summer growing up I would go over to my friends house to watch Avatar every week. I remember always looking forward to those moments and so I was ecstatic when I heard of this collaboration. I feel like when I play this deck it brings me back to those moments. \n"}]}

{"ops":[{"insert":"Designing a Precon Deck"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nInspired by the narrative of the Avatar set, I believe that a great way to have created the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"precon decks"},{"insert":" would have been to approach them through the books that form each season. I consider Book Two: Earth to be my favorite because of the different reasons I seek to convey in the distinct sections of this "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"deck"},{"insert":".\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Earth Kingdom"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nDuring Book One: Water, the idea of a Kingdom unbreakable against the attacks of the Fire Nation built an atmosphere of security and solidarity upon the Avatar's arrival, which would serve as a defense in this mission.\nA kingdom that was shown as a bastion of safety, where refugees arrived and society could still find peace under the command of a noble king, was about to reveal its true nature. The conspiracy stemming from an elite group of guards enforcing a war denied to the people; a young woman's search for freedom, underestimated because of her blindness; the conflict of returning to the place that marked great losses; and the struggle of an exiled son to find his own reality; these are just some of the moments we seek to highlight.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"There is No War in Ba Sing Se"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Long Feng, Grand Secretariat"},{"insert":", is the chosen "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"commander"},{"insert":" for several reasons:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ease of introducing new players to basic game concepts."},{"insert":" I believe that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Golgari"},{"insert":" (Black/Green) is a complete way to explain basic interactions that can occur in a game to new players, from the use of counters, interactions with the graveyard, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"removal"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"ramp"},{"insert":", and a mechanic introduced in this expansion: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"earthbending"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Taking the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"flavor"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" of this "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"commander"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", Long Feng offers a distinct variant compared to what "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"commanders"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" like Toph (Naya) or Bumi (Gruul) can offer with the same mechanic:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"earthbending"},{"insert":" as a resource to sacrifice."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Dai Li"},{"insert":" is the elite that protects the king, but at such a cost that they end up turning against him, manipulating him, and becoming a sect that controls the populace from the shadows. They are bandits, corrupt, and linked to a plan that seeks to precipitate the fall of the empire they swore to protect.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Blind Bandit"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The undefeated winner of the earthbending arena up to that point, she ends up being persecuted by the very people who underestimated her blindness, bringing her to the point of becoming the first master to perform "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"metalbending"},{"insert":". The arc I wanted to mark is the moment just before she becomes part of the Avatar Team and the immediate repercussions of her joining.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Fire is Dying"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAnother arc I wanted to highlight was that of Zuko and Uncle Iroh, refugees in Ba Sing Se. It shows Zuko’s evolution from a hunter searching for his honor to having one of the most important introspective conflicts in the series. This same dilemma is quietly experienced by his uncle, who keeps the memory and the loss of his son alive, seeking a feeling of redemption in the shelter and aid he can give his nephew and others, showing this enormous pain through few but very significant pieces of art.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deck Structure"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Avatar Theme."},{"insert":" It’s a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"precon"},{"insert":"; you bought it to play with cards related to the world of Avatar that appear in the set. Chimeras and lessons that set the atmosphere are incorporated, aiming to give nods to moments in the desert, the Fire Nation, and Aang himself."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Essentials for "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Commander"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"."},{"insert":" Cards already considered essential for a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Commander deck"},{"insert":", from "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Sol Ring"},{"insert":" to "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Command Tower"},{"insert":", including cards that could have beautiful reprints themed by the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"flavor"},{"insert":" of the last Airbender, such as the Talisman of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Resilience"},{"insert":" with the seal of the Bei Fong family, or the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Reliquary Tower"},{"insert":" which, just by looking at it, can be related to a certain library buried in the sand."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI did not want to close this "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"deck"},{"insert":" construction without including a habit that has quietly formed in each of these products: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Reprints"},{"insert":".\nI considered that an average of 10 to 15 cards are reprinted in the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"decks"},{"insert":", recovering concepts that can perfectly fit the atmosphere with art that recaptures the essence of other worlds already traveled in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Magic the Gathering"},{"insert":", and I want to highlight a few.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Reshape the Earth"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Earth Surge"},{"insert":".\n The card's own "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"flavor"},{"insert":" captures it: the earth is not dead; it has so much life, vigor, and strength that the earth masters themselves will demonstrate it to you.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Sadistic Hypnotist"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Royal Assassin"},{"insert":".\n These are sought to deepen the atmosphere of conspiracy against the king; they are elite members that the Dai Li itself may have within its control missions.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Innkeeper’s Talent"},{"insert":". \nBrought from a recent expansion, the simple idea of seeing a mole taking the role of someone who can reflect the attitude of an Uncle Iroh tending his tea shop in the Earth Kingdom, considering that the moles themselves are responsible for the existence of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"earthbending"},{"insert":", makes it fit very well.\n\nI would not want to close this tour of this "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"deck"},{"insert":", which I sincerely enjoyed assembling, without first thanking whoever acquires and plays it, asking them to do so while thinking about how a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"deck"},{"insert":" that appears simple can truly be a great "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"introduction"},{"insert":" to an endless series of games with their friends.\n\nI hope you like it.\n"}]}