Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Brings Back Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering fans often adopt tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled an elf strategy before? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 popular examples that fit perfectly to its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar which grants bonuses whenever more creatures with this subtype enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain power as a player controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared occasionally in newer sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — but this changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit a lot of companions on the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, so it's no better way to reflect this through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first card reveal, here is a look of an Allies and a Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as one popular minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in mechanics, Teo can fly in the air with a flying device, and dares Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love for flying and his tribe's use on gliders through letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains one more life whenever another Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful addition, considering its low mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving significant criticism from the community, an iconic series like Avatar can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, with all cards set to be launched November 21st.