Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
MTG players consistently embrace tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed a goblin strategy before? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives two popular mechanics that match seamlessly with its setting.
Returning Tribal Mechanics
One initial ability, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar and provides bonuses each time more creatures with this type come onto the field.
Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become abilities when a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return for Allies Ability
Although Shrines have been shown up occasionally in newer sets, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is heavily featured.
Aang must gather numerous friends during the quest to restore balance across the four nations, so it's no better method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering set.
Exclusive Card Preview
Following its initial card announcement, below are previews at one Ally and a Shrines card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure
Teo is one popular minor character from 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 paraplegic.
Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to soar through the skies using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to an aerial race.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion for flying and his tribe's use on flying machines by letting the player draw and discard each time you attack with an airborne creature, and also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you have.
It furthermore drains one more life anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be an impactful card, considering the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable ETB effect.
A major weakness of Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.
A Timely Crossover
At a time while crossover products have been receiving a lot of hate from fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what MTG needs.
Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.