Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Revives 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG players frequently adopt tribe-based decks — who has not built a goblin deck before? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 beloved mechanics which fit seamlessly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced with the Zendikar which provides boosts whenever more creatures bearing the Ally type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength as you owns additional Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up here and there in recent releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — but this ends with ATLA, where this mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of companions on the journey to restore balance across the four nations, so there's no better method to reflect this in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first card reveal, below is previews of one Ally plus a Shrines card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one beloved supporting character from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that lived in the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to fly in the air using his glider, and dares Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his passion of flying along with his tribe's use on flying machines through allowing you loot whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and also strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a powerful card, given its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets are garnering a lot of backlash by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.

David Ferguson
David Ferguson

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