Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics
MTG enthusiasts frequently embrace tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a goblin strategy before? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 beloved examples that align perfectly with its setting.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities
The first ability, named "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar which gives buffs each time additional permanents with the Ally subtype come onto play.
On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise gain abilities as you controls additional Shrines in play.
The Comeback of Allies Ability
While Shrines have been shown up sporadically across newer sets, Allies mechanic was much rarer — but that ends in ATLA, where the mechanic is prominently used.
The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of allies on the quest to restore peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to show that through a Magic: The Gathering set.
Revealed Cards Showcase
After its first set reveal, here is previews of an Ally and a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure
Teo is one beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a disaster, which left him unable to walk.
Because of his father's expertise in engineering, Teo can fly in the air with a flying device, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.
The card Teo showcases Teo's love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, while also pumping your team with counters in the process.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine
Regarding Teo's home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.
The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever another Shrine enters the field.
This looks like an impactful card, considering the card's cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.
A big weakness of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.
A Timely Crossover
At a time while Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.