Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Brings Back Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribal strategies — who has not constructed an elf strategy once or twice? — and the new ATLA crossover release brings back two beloved mechanics which match seamlessly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The first ability, named "Ally," was debuted in a Zendikar set and gives boosts each time more permanents with this type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain strength when you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally in newer sets, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is central.

Aang must recruit many friends during his journey to restore peace to the world, and there's no better way to show this in a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following its initial set announcement, here is previews of an Ally plus one Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one popular supporting figure in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's prowess in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air with a flying device, even challenges Aang in an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love for the skies and his tribe's use of gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks with a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's low cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets have been receiving significant hate by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be released November 21st.

Anne Smith
Anne Smith

Elara Vance is a tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on society.