Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who has not built an elf deck before? — and the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 beloved examples that fit perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar and gives boosts each time additional permanents with this subtype enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power as you controls more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally across newer releases, the Ally subtype has been much rarer — but this ends in ATLA, where this mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang must recruit numerous friends on the quest to restore peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the first set reveal, below are a look at one Allies and one Shrine cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as a popular supporting figure from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's skill in engineering, Teo can fly through the skies using a flying device, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion for flying and the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines by allowing the player loot whenever you attack with an airborne creature, and also pumping your team via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also removes an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover sets have been garnering significant backlash from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.