Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering players consistently enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover release brings back 2 popular mechanics that align perfectly to the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial ability, named "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar and grants boosts each time more creatures bearing this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that originated with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power as you has more Shrines in play.

A Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally in recent sets, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must recruit numerous companions on the quest to restore peace across the world, so there's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following its initial card reveal, below are a look at an Allies and a Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as one cherished supporting character in ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can fly through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo reproduces his passion of flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting the player draw and discard each time you attack with an airborne unit, and also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering play, based on the number of Shrines you have.

The card also drains one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a powerful card, given its low cost and valuable ETB ability.

A major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving a lot of criticism by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar can be precisely just what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.

Jamie Ingram
Jamie Ingram

A seasoned casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience in slot game analysis and online gambling strategies.