Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Brings Back Two Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a zombie strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial ability, called "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar and gives buffs whenever more creatures bearing this type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain abilities when you controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across newer releases, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — but that changes with ATLA, in which this mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must gather many friends during his quest to bring back balance across the world, so it's no more fitting method to represent this in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the first card reveal, here are previews of one Allies and a Shrine card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as a cherished supporting figure in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's expertise in mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies using a flying device, and challenges Aang in an aerial race.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's passion for flying and the Earth Tribe's use on gliders through allowing the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying creature, while additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

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

It appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are always Legendary, but this card is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently while crossover sets have been garnering a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with all cards set to be released November 21st.

James Alvarez
James Alvarez

A seasoned poker strategist with over a decade of experience in competitive online gaming and coaching.