Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based decks — what player has not built a goblin strategy before? — and the new ATLA crossover set brings back two well-known mechanics which match perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, named "Allies," was debuted in a Zendikar which gives buffs each time more creatures with this type come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power as a player has additional Shrines in play.

A Return of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally in newer sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is prominently used.

Aang has to recruit numerous allies during the journey to restore balance to the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to show that through a Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following the initial set announcement, below are previews at an Allies and a Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

This character is a popular minor character in ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's prowess with mechanics, he can glide in the air using his glider, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's fondness for flying and his tribe's use of flying machines by allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne creature, and also pumping your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into play, based on how many of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, considering its cheap mana cost plus good ETB effect.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of backlash by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be released November 21st.