Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering fans often embrace tribal tactics — who has not built a goblin deck once or twice? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two popular examples that align perfectly to its theme.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
The first mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar and gives buffs each time more permanents bearing this subtype enter the battlefield.
On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power as a player has additional of them on the battlefield.
The Comeback for Allies Ability
Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically across recent releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is prominently used.
Aang has to assemble numerous friends on his quest to bring back balance to the world, so there's no better way to show that in an Magic set.
Revealed Card Showcase
After the initial set announcement, here is previews of an Allies plus one Shrine card in the new ATLA set.
Teo: A Beloved Figure
Teo stands as a popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.
Due to his dad's expertise in engineering, he can soar in the air using his glider, even dares Aang in a flying contest.
This card Teo represents Teo's passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, and additionally boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine
Speaking of Teo's home, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.
It also removes an additional point anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be a strong card, given its low mana cost and good ETB ability.
One big drawback of Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, however this card is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.
A Timely Collaboration
Currently when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of hate by fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what MTG requires.
Preview period has begun, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.