Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts frequently embrace tribal tactics — who hasn't constructed a goblin strategy before? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that fit seamlessly with the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set which provides buffs whenever additional creatures with this subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become abilities as you has more Shrines in play.

The Return of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in newer sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of companions during the quest to bring back peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to reflect this in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first card reveal, below is a look of an Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as a popular supporting character from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies with his glider, and challenges Aang in a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying unit, and also pumping your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It also drains an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a powerful addition, given its low cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover products are receiving significant hate by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.

Jeffery Blankenship
Jeffery Blankenship

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino games and slot machine mechanics.