Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG players frequently embrace tribal strategies — what player hasn't assembled a goblin deck before? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 beloved mechanics that fit perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first ability, called "Allies," was debuted in a Zendikar which provides boosts each time additional creatures bearing this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength when you owns more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across recent sets, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang must gather many allies on his quest to bring back peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following its first set reveal, below are previews of an Ally plus a Shrine card in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a popular supporting figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, he can fly in the air using his glider, and challenges Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love for flying along with his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also removes one more life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a strong card, considering the card's low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products are garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.