Reveal: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based decks — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives 2 well-known mechanics which align seamlessly with its theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first mechanic, named "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar which gives bonuses whenever additional creatures with this subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain strength as a player controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been far less common — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic gets central.

Aang has to assemble numerous friends during the journey to restore balance to the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to represent that in a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following the initial set reveal, below are previews of an Ally and a Shrine card from the new ATLA set.

Teo: The Beloved Character

This character is a cherished minor figure in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess with engineering, he can glide in the air with his glider, even dares Aang to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion of the skies and his tribe's use on gliders through letting you loot each time you attack using an airborne creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore drains one more life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful addition, given the card's low cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while crossover products have been garnering a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.