Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribe-based strategies — who has not assembled a zombie deck at some point? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover set brings back 2 popular mechanics that match seamlessly to the theme.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One initial ability, called "Allies," first debuted with the Zendikar set and grants bonuses each time more creatures with this subtype enter play.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type which originated with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become abilities when you has more Shrines on the battlefield.
The Return for the Ally Mechanic
While Shrines have shown up here and there across newer releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets prominently used.
The protagonist Aang has to assemble numerous friends during the quest to bring back balance to the world, and it's no better method to represent this through a Magic: The Gathering set.
Exclusive Cards Showcase
After the first set reveal, here are a look at an Ally plus one Shrine cards in the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character
This character stands as one beloved supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's prowess with mechanics, he can soar in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love for flying along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack with an airborne creature, while also boosting your creatures via counters in the process.
The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Regarding his dwelling, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.
It furthermore drains one more point whenever a Shrine enters the field.
This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and valuable ETB effect.
A major weakness for Shrine decks in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.
A Welcome Collaboration
Currently when crossover sets are receiving significant criticism from the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.