Scoop: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics
MTG fans frequently enjoy tribal tactics — who has not assembled a goblin strategy before? — and this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two popular mechanics which align perfectly with the theme.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One initial mechanic, called "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set and provides buffs each time more permanents bearing this subtype enter play.
On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become abilities when you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.
A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic
While Shrines have been appeared here and there across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature is prominently used.
The protagonist Aang must gather numerous allies during his quest to restore balance to the world, so there's no more fitting way to reflect that in a Magic: The Gathering set.
Revealed Cards Showcase
Following its first card reveal, here are a look at one Allies plus a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character
This character is a cherished supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's expertise with mechanics, Teo can soar in the air with his glider, and dares Aang in a flying race.
The card Teo showcases Teo's passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack with an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine
Speaking of Teo's home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.
It furthermore drains one more point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be an impactful card, considering its low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.
A big drawback for Shrine decks in formats besides Commander are 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 all opponents during the start of your main phase.
A Timely Crossover
At a time while crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.
Preview period is already here, with the full set will be launched November 21st.