Avatar Legends Fantasy; Non-Western / Culturally Diverse; Environmental; Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA); Narrative-Driven; Collaborative Worldbuilding; Skill-based

Avatar Legends is a tabletop roleplaying game set in the Avatar universe, known for its non-Western/culturally diverse fantasy setting, environmental themes, and narrative-driven gameplay using the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) system. It emphasizes collaborative worldbuilding and skill-based character progression, offering a unique experience for fans of the Avatar series and PbtA enthusiasts alike. While lauded for its faithful adaptation and engaging mechanics, some find its complexity a potential barrier.

Theme and Setting

Avatar Legends immerses players in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, drawing heavily from East Asian and Inuit cultures for its aesthetic and philosophical underpinnings. The setting emphasizes balance, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all things, with a strong focus on environmental themes. Players can explore different eras, from the era of Aang to the era of Korra, or even create their own unique time periods, shaping the world and its conflicts collaboratively.

Core Mechanics and Rules

As a PbtA game, Avatar Legends utilizes a narrative-driven system where player choices and actions heavily influence the story's direction. The game uses 2d6 dice rolls, modified by character stats, to determine the outcome of actions. Success is not always binary; results often include partial successes or complications, driving the narrative forward. Character creation involves selecting a playbook, which defines a character's archetype and unique abilities. These playbooks guide players in defining their character's role within the world and their relationships with other characters.

Unique Aspects of Avatar Legends

Avatar Legends distinguishes itself through its strong emphasis on character growth and inner balance. Characters have multiple stats, like Passion, Creativity and Harmony, that shift and evolve based on their experiences and choices. A unique mechanic is the concept of 'Balance', where players strive to maintain equilibrium between opposing principles or risk succumbing to imbalance. The game also innovates within the PbtA framework by adding more complexity. This complexity, while enriching the game, may present a steeper learning curve for those new to PbtA systems.

Target Audience and Player Experience

Avatar Legends primarily targets fans of the Avatar animated series who are looking for an immersive and collaborative roleplaying experience. Its narrative-driven focus and emphasis on character development appeal to players who enjoy exploring complex themes and relationships. The collaborative worldbuilding aspect invites players to actively participate in shaping the game world, making each campaign unique. Newcomers to TTRPGs may find the PbtA mechanics accessible, while experienced players will appreciate the game's nuanced approach to character progression and world interaction. GM's new to non-D&D systems have also reported positive initial experiences running the game, indicating that despite initial confusion, the system is rewarding.

Visit Avatar Legends

What do players think?

The reviews for the Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game are generally positive, with many users praising the game's ability to capture the spirit and emotional weight of the original TV show. The game's focus on narrative gameplay and character development was well-received, with users appreciating the game's emphasis on internal conflicts, which they felt was true to the source material. However, some users felt that the combat system was complicated and slowed down the game, with one user suggesting that it was designed to sell additional reference materials. Some users also felt that the game was not suitable for younger players due to its complexity. There were also complaints about the game's PDF files being difficult to split and edit, and a lack of detailed information about the game's content. Despite these criticisms, many users recommended the game to fans of the Avatar franchise and tabletop roleplaying games.

New Read the full reviews on DriveThruRPG

Related TTRPG Games

Compare Avatar Legends with other great ttrpg games.

Monster of the Week

Monster of the Week and Avatar Legends share a focus on narrative-driven gameplay and team collaboration, with both games encouraging players to embark on quests filled with supernatural elements and character-driven storytelling. However, they differ in play style and mechanics: while Monster of the Week leans heavily on investigation and horror through its use of the Powered by the Apocalypse system, emphasizing mysterious encounters and combat with supernatural creatures, Avatar Legends focuses on character-driven adventures within a richly developed world, encouraging players to explore themes of balance and spirituality at the heart of their journeys, rather than just battling monsters.

Apocalypse World

Apocalypse World and Avatar Legends both emphasize narrative-driven gameplay and character development, but they differ in setting and tone—where Apocalypse World immerses players in a dark, post-apocalyptic world focused on survival and exploration, Avatar Legends offers a more hopeful, exploration-oriented experience within the vibrant, elemental world of Avatar. For example, while Apocalypse World uses a resource management system that highlights scarcity and danger, Avatar Legends incorporates a balance of elemental powers and teamwork, facilitating a more cooperative and heroic playstyle.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse

Werewolf: The Apocalypse and Avatar Legends both explore themes of conflict between nature and civilization, but while Werewolf: The Apocalypse emphasizes dark fantasy elements, survival, and class-based dynamics within an urban setting, Avatar Legends focuses on collaborative storytelling and character-driven narratives in a more elemental and whimsical world. For example, in Werewolf: The Apocalypse, players assume roles defined by distinct tribes and supernatural powers with a strong emphasis on environmental themes, whereas Avatar Legends encourages diverse character archetypes that rely on bending elements and creating interpersonal relationships, fostering a different style of gameplay centered on teamwork and personal growth.

Join Our Mailing List

Every week we send out a newsletter with last week's 10 best ttrpg games that have been added to the directory.