Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled a goblin deck once or twice? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two popular mechanics which match seamlessly to the setting.
Returning Tribal Mechanics
One initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar and provides bonuses each time more permanents with the Ally subtype enter play.
Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become abilities as you controls more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return for the Ally Ability
Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically across recent releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — but that changes with ATLA, in which the feature is central.
Aang has to assemble a lot of allies during the journey to bring back balance across the world, and it's no better method to represent this through an Magic: The Gathering set.
Revealed Cards Preview
Following its first card reveal, below is a look at an Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character
This character is one popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.
Thanks to his dad's skill with mechanics, he can soar through the skies using his glider, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, while also pumping your team via counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.
It also removes one more life anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.
It appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap mana cost and valuable ETB ability.
One big weakness of Shrine strategies outside of Commander is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.
The Welcome Crossover
At a time while Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of hate from the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG requires.
Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be released November 21st.