Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG players consistently adopt tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't assembled an elf strategy before? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known mechanics that match perfectly to its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, called "Allies," was debuted in a Zendikar which grants buffs each time additional creatures with the Ally type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become strength when a player controls more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have shown up occasionally across recent sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — until that changes in ATLA, in which this feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must recruit numerous allies during his journey to restore balance to the world, and there's no better method to show that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After its first set reveal, below is a look of one Allies plus one Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character stands as a cherished supporting character in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess in engineering, he is able to soar in the air using his glider, even dares Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for the skies along with his tribe's use on gliders through allowing you loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, and also boosting your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

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

This looks like a strong addition, given its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond products are receiving significant hate by the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be launched November 21st.

Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith

A gaming technology analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine design and industry regulation, passionate about innovation.