Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based decks — who has not assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing two popular examples that align perfectly to its flavor.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One first ability, known as "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar set which gives boosts each time additional permanents with the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.
Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain abilities as a player owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.
A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic
While Shrines have appeared occasionally across recent sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — until this changes in ATLA, in which this feature is central.
Aang has to recruit many allies on the quest to restore peace across the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to reflect that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Exclusive Cards Preview
After the initial set announcement, below is previews of one Allies plus one Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure
Teo stands as a popular minor character in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.
Due to his father's expertise in mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness of the skies and his tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine
Regarding his dwelling, this is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.
The card furthermore drains an additional life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.
This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and valuable ETB effect.
One major drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.
The Welcome Crossover
At a time while Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of hate from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG needs.
Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be released on Nov. 21.