Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who has not built a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two popular mechanics that fit perfectly with the theme.
Reappearing Tribal Mechanics
One first ability, named "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set which grants boosts whenever additional creatures bearing this type enter play.
On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain strength as you controls more Shrines in play.
A Return for Allies Ability
Although Shrine cards have shown up occasionally in recent releases, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic gets heavily featured.
Aang has to assemble numerous friends during his journey to restore peace across the world, and it's no more fitting way to reflect that in an Magic: The Gathering set.
Revealed Cards Showcase
Following the first set reveal, here are a look of one Allies plus a Shrine cards from the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character
Teo is a cherished minor figure in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.
Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to fly in the air with his glider, and challenges Aang in a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.
The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his dwelling, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.
It furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be a strong addition, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable ETB ability.
One major weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.
The Timely Crossover
At a time when Universes Beyond sets are receiving a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.
Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be launched November 21st.