Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy at some point? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 well-known mechanics that align seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted in a Zendikar and provides bonuses each time additional creatures bearing this type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become strength as a player controls additional of them in play.

A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have shown up occasionally in recent releases, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit numerous allies during the quest to restore peace to the world, so it's no better way to represent this in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its first card announcement, here is a look of one Allies plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one popular supporting character in ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's prowess with engineering, he is able to fly in the air using a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love for the skies along with his tribe's use of flying machines by letting you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when entering play, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a powerful card, given its low mana cost plus good ETB effect.

One major weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond products are receiving significant hate from the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be exactly what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.