Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG fans consistently enjoy tribal decks — what player has not built a goblin strategy before? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics which align perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, named "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set and grants bonuses whenever more permanents bearing the Ally type come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain strength when you controls more of them in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have shown up occasionally across newer releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — but this ends with ATLA, where this mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang has to assemble a lot of friends on his journey to restore balance across the world, so it's no better method to represent this through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following the first set reveal, below are a look of one Allies plus one Shrine card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as one beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise with engineering, he can glide through the skies with his glider, even dares Aang in a flying contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders through letting you loot whenever you attack with an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a strong addition, given the card's low mana cost plus good ETB effect.

One major drawback of Shrine decks outside of Commander are that Shrines are always Legendary, however this card is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of criticism by fans, a beloved series such as Avatar could be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be launched November 21st.