Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics
MTG fans consistently embrace tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives 2 well-known mechanics that fit perfectly with the flavor.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One first ability, named "Ally," was introduced with the Zendikar set and provides boosts each time additional permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.
On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment type which originated in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain strength when a player controls more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Comeback of Allies Mechanic
While Shrines have been shown up here and there across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until this changes in ATLA, in which this feature gets heavily featured.
Aang has to recruit numerous friends during the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, so it's no better way to reflect this through a Magic: The Gathering set.
Revealed Cards Preview
Following its initial card reveal, below is a look of an Allies plus a Shrine card in the new ATLA release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character
This character stands as a cherished minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.
Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies using his glider, and dares the Avatar in an aerial race.
This card Teo represents his love for flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders through allowing you loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your creatures via counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you control.
The card also drains an additional point anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.
This looks like a strong addition, given the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.
One big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.
The Timely Crossover
At a time while Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG requires.
Spoiler season is already here, and all cards set to be launched November 21st.