Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering players consistently adopt tribal strategies — who has not constructed a zombie deck at some point? — and this new ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 beloved mechanics that fit perfectly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, known as "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar set which gives boosts each time more creatures with the Ally type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become power as a player has additional Shrines in play.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have shown up occasionally in recent sets, Allies mechanic was far less common — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many friends on his quest to restore balance across the world, so there's no more fitting method to show this through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its initial card reveal, below is previews at an Ally plus a Shrine cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

Teo is one beloved supporting character in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can glide in the air using a flying device, even dares Aang in an aerial race.

This card Teo represents Teo's passion of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing the player loot each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while also pumping your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a strong addition, given the card's low cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One big weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander is that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond products have been receiving significant hate from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, and the full set will be released November 21st.