Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG fans frequently adopt tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled an elf strategy at some point? — while this new ATLA crossover release brings back 2 beloved examples which align perfectly with its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar set which provides buffs whenever more permanents with this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become abilities as a player has more Shrines in play.

The Return for Allies Ability

While Shrines have appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — but this changes in ATLA, where this feature is central.

Aang must assemble many allies during his journey to restore peace across the world, so there's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the first set reveal, here are previews of one Ally plus one Shrine cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a popular minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can fly through the skies using a flying device, even dares Aang to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion for the skies along with his tribe's use on gliders by letting you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, and additionally boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life upon entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a powerful card, given the card's low cost and good ETB ability.

A big drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond products are receiving significant criticism from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.