Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast #1293: Avatar: The Last Airbender with Chris Mooney
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Nov 14, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Chris Mooney, the Lead Set Designer for Magic: The Gathering and an avid fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, shares insights on designing the Avatar-themed set. He delves into the unique mechanics for each bending style, explaining how airbending creates temporary exile effects and waterbending offers flexible cost options. Chris also discusses balancing the four elements with Magic's colors, integrating character growth into card designs, and incorporating allies from all nations. His passion for the project shines through as he reflects on the creative process and gameplay experience.
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Childhood Dream Became A Real Project
- Chris Mooney grew up making custom Magic sets and once designed an Avatar-themed set as a kid.
- Leading the official Avatar set was a lifelong dream come true and a career milestone for him.
Design For The Show, Not The Entire Universe
- The team treated Avatar as recreating the specific show, not the whole universe.
- That guided unequal mechanical weight for elements and broader roles for white and black.
Firebending As Flexible Aggression
- Firebending became a source of red mana when creatures attack, emphasizing aggression over pure burn.
- This choice preserved fire's thematic versatility as energy and life, not just damage.