Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Set Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently adopt tribe-based decks — what player hasn't constructed a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two well-known mechanics which align perfectly with the flavor.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
The initial mechanic, called "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set and grants boosts each time more permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter play.
On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities when you owns more Shrines in play.
A Comeback for the Ally Mechanic
Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until that ends in ATLA, in which this feature gets prominently used.
Aang must recruit a lot of friends on the quest to bring back peace to the world, so it's no more fitting way to show that in an Magic set.
Exclusive Cards Showcase
Following its initial set reveal, below are previews at an Allies and a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure
Teo is one cherished minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.
Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo can glide in the air using his glider, and challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love of the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting the player draw and discard each time you attack using a flying creature, and also boosting your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.
It furthermore drains one more point anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
This appears to be an impactful addition, considering its low mana cost and good ETB ability.
A big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.
The Timely Collaboration
Currently when crossover sets are receiving a lot of criticism from the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what MTG needs.
Spoiler season has begun, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.