Scoop: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics
MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not built an elf deck at some point? — and the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set brings back two popular examples that match seamlessly to its setting.
Reappearing Tribal Abilities
One initial ability, known as "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar set and provides bonuses whenever more creatures bearing the Ally type enter the field.
Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as you controls more of them in play.
The Return of the Ally Mechanic
While Shrines have shown up occasionally in newer releases, Allies subtype was far less common — until this changes in ATLA, where the mechanic is heavily featured.
The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of friends on the journey to bring back peace across the world, and there's no better way to show that through an Magic: The Gathering set.
Revealed Card Preview
Following the first card announcement, below is a look at one Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character
This character stands as one beloved minor character from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.
Because of his father's prowess in mechanics, Teo is able to soar in the air with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting you draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne unit, and also pumping your team via counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you have.
The card also drains an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
This appears to be a powerful card, considering its low cost and good ETB ability.
One big weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.
A Timely Collaboration
At a time while crossover sets have been garnering significant criticism by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.