Universes Beyond: Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the most flavorful Magic: The Gathering sets in recent memory. It’s packed with thematic mechanics, clever nods to the show, and plenty of room for Commander brewing. But despite all that depth, Wizards of the Coast clearly had one major goal in mind: making this set approachable for brand-new players.
With Avatar’s massive fanbase, it’s no surprise Wizards leaned into accessibility—and they nailed it. The set offers multiple entry points for newcomers, most notably Jumpstart packs and the Avatar Beginner Box, both designed to get players into games as quickly and painlessly as possible.
What is in the Avatar Beginner Box?
The Avatar Beginner Box includes everything you need to start playing Magic right out of the box, no prior experience required. Inside, you’ll find:
2 Instant Play Decks (Aang and Zuko)
2 Learn-to-Play Guides (one for each deck)
2 Playmats
8 Jumpstart Half-Decks, themed as:
Earthbending
Big Creatures
Waterbending
Spells
Firebending
Allies
Attacking
Counters
2 Spindown Life Counters
Every Avatar Beginner Box contains the exact same cards, so there’s no need to buy multiple copies hoping for different pulls. The Instant Play decks are especially well-designed for teaching new players, as they’re meant to be played in a specific order that matches the step-by-step instructions in the learn-to-play guides. It’s one of the most straightforward ways to introduce someone to Magic for the first time.
Should you buy the Avatar Beginner Box?
That depends on the kind of player you are—but there’s a lot to like here.
One of the biggest strengths of the Beginner Box is certainty. You know exactly what you’re getting, with no guesswork and no pack-opening roulette. Where the value really shines, though, is in the Jumpstart half-decks. At a local game store, Jumpstart typically runs around $12 or more for two boosters. The Avatar Beginner Box usually lands around $30 and includes eight Jumpstart half-decks. At roughly $6 per pack, that’s about $48 worth of playable content—and content you already know is curated and usable.
While these cards aren’t going to turn a profit on the resale market, they’re extremely valuable for actual gameplay. This box is ideal for players brand new to Magic or for longtime fans looking for an easy, thematic way to introduce friends to the game.
TL;DR: If you have friends who are curious about Magic and the Avatar theme is what’ll hook them, the Beginner Box is absolutely worth it. If the Avatar branding is secondary and you just want the most streamlined teaching tool possible, the Foundations Beginner Box is likely the better option.
Is it better to buy the Avatar Beginner Box or Jumpstart Packs?
Once again, it comes down to the player.
For true beginners, the Avatar Beginner Box is the clear winner thanks to its guided decks and structured learning experience. For more experienced players teaching friends—or for anyone who wants fast, no-setup games—Jumpstart packs are hard to beat. Cracking two packs, shuffling them together, and instantly playing is one of the easiest ways to get quick games in, whether you’re at home or on the go.
Final Thoughts
The Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box does exactly what it sets out to do: make Magic approachable, thematic, and fun for new players. It’s not meant to be a collector’s item or a competitive staple, but as an entry point into Magic—especially for Avatar fans—it’s a slam dunk.
If you want a deeper breakdown of the mechanics, standout cards, and how Universes Beyond: Avatar: The Last Airbender holds up as a full Magic set, be sure to check out our full set review.
