Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics
MTG fans consistently enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not assembled a zombie deck before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two popular examples which match perfectly with the flavor.
Reappearing Tribal Mechanics
One first ability, called "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar which gives buffs whenever more creatures with the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.
Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become power when you has more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return for the Ally Mechanic
Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically in newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is prominently used.
Aang must assemble many companions during his quest to bring back peace to the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to reflect this through an Magic expansion.
Revealed Card Showcase
Following its first card reveal, below is a look at one Ally and one Shrines cards from the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure
Teo stands as a cherished minor figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.
Due to his father's skill in mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies with his glider, and challenges Aang in an aerial contest.
The card Teo showcases his love of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack using a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures via counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine
Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.
The card furthermore removes one more life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.
It looks like a powerful addition, considering its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield ability.
A major drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are always Legendary, however this card is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.
The Welcome Crossover
At a time while crossover sets have been receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be released on Nov. 21.