Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
MTG players frequently enjoy tribe-based tactics — who hasn't built a goblin deck before? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back two well-known mechanics which align seamlessly to its setting.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One initial ability, called "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar set which provides boosts whenever more creatures bearing the Ally subtype enter the field.
Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also become strength as you controls more of them on the battlefield.
The Return for Allies Ability
Although Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — until that changes in ATLA, in which the feature gets prominently used.
Aang has to recruit numerous companions on the journey to restore peace to the four nations, so it's no better way to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Revealed Card Showcase
After its initial set announcement, here are a look of one Ally and one Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character
This character is one cherished supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.
Because of his father's prowess with mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies using his glider, and dares Aang to a flying contest.
The card Teo represents his fondness of flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally pumping your team via counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine
Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.
It furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.
It looks like a powerful card, given the card's low cost plus valuable ETB effect.
One big weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.
The Welcome Crossover
At a time when crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash by the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.