Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Revives 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG players often embrace tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't constructed an elf deck before? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known examples that fit seamlessly to its flavor.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The first mechanic, called "Ally," was debuted in a Zendikar set and provides buffs each time additional creatures with this type come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength as you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally in recent releases, Allies subtype was much rarer — until this changes with ATLA, where this mechanic gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of friends during his journey to restore balance to the world, so there's no better way to represent this in a Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its initial set announcement, here is a look of one Allies and a Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character is one popular minor figure in ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's skill in mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies with his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love of flying along with his tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon entering play, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

It also removes one more life anytime another Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a powerful card, given its low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

A major drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but this card can be effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond products are garnering a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be released November 21st.