Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled a goblin deck once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives two well-known examples that fit seamlessly to the setting.
Returning Tribal Mechanics
The first mechanic, called "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set which grants boosts whenever more permanents with the Ally type come onto the battlefield.
Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities as a player owns additional of them in play.
The Comeback of Allies Ability
Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across recent releases, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — until this ends in ATLA, where this feature is heavily featured.
Aang has to gather a lot of companions during the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to reflect that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Exclusive Cards Preview
Following its initial card reveal, here are previews at one Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure
Teo stands as a cherished supporting character in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom that resided at an Air Temple after his village was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, he is able to glide in the air using a flying device, and challenges Aang in an aerial contest.
This card Teo represents Teo's love of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, and also boosting your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of Teo's home, this appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many of Shrines you have.
It furthermore removes an additional point anytime another Shrine enters the field.
It looks like an impactful addition, given its cheap mana cost and good ETB effect.
A big drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are the fact that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.
The Welcome Collaboration
Currently when crossover sets have been garnering significant hate by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.