Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Set Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG players frequently enjoy tribal tactics — who has not constructed a goblin strategy before? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover release brings back 2 well-known examples which fit seamlessly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced with a Zendikar and grants boosts whenever more permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type that originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become power as you owns additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return of Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up occasionally across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — but this ends in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang has to gather many companions during the journey to restore peace to the world, and it's no more fitting way to reflect that through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first card reveal, below are a look of one Allies plus a Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is a popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo can soar in the air using his glider, and dares Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, it appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

The card also drains an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback of Shrine decks outside of Commander are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards set to be released November 21st.

Eddie Evans
Eddie Evans

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in casino gaming and strategy development.