Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Revives 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
MTG fans often adopt tribe-based tactics — who hasn't assembled an elf deck before? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives two well-known mechanics that align perfectly to the theme.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities
The first mechanic, called "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar which gives bonuses whenever more creatures with this type enter the field.
Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain strength when you owns additional of them on the battlefield.
The Return for the Ally Ability
Although Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets prominently used.
Aang must gather a lot of companions on the quest to bring back peace across the four nations, so there's no better method to represent that through an Magic expansion.
Revealed Card Showcase
Following its first card reveal, here is a look at one Ally and a Shrine cards from the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure
This character stands as one cherished minor figure from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.
Due to his father's skill with mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in a flying race.
The card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through letting you draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, and also boosting your team with counters in the process.
The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his home, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.
It also removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.
It looks like a powerful addition, given its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.
One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.
The Timely Crossover
Currently when Universes Beyond sets are garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG needs.
Spoiler season has begun, and the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.