Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG players frequently embrace tribal decks — who hasn't assembled an elf strategy at some point? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover set revives two well-known mechanics which match perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The first ability, named "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar and gives buffs whenever additional creatures bearing the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, Shrines also become power when you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally across recent releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature is heavily featured.

Aang must assemble many companions during the journey to restore balance across the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to reflect this in an Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its first set reveal, below are a look of one Allies and one Shrine cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as a cherished supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo can glide in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting the player loot each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It also removes an additional life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost plus good ETB effect.

One major weakness for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond products are garnering a lot of criticism from the community, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.