Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG fans consistently embrace tribal decks — who hasn't built a goblin deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two well-known examples that fit perfectly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar which gives buffs each time more permanents with this subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain power when you controls additional of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across newer sets, Allies subtype was far less common — until this changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang must assemble many companions on his journey to bring back balance across the world, and it's no better method to reflect that through an Magic set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After its initial card reveal, here are a look at one Allies and one Shrine cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as a popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to a flying race.

The card Teo reproduces his love for flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore drains one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a powerful addition, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar can be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be released November 21st.

Dominique Park
Dominique Park

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot mechanics and player psychology.