Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering fans consistently embrace tribal strategies — who hasn't constructed an elf deck at some point? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two popular examples that align seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, called "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar set which gives buffs each time additional permanents with this type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment type which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as you has additional of them in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across newer sets, the Ally subtype was far less common — but that changes with ATLA, where the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions during the journey to restore peace to the four nations, and there's no more fitting way to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its initial set reveal, here is previews of one Allies plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character is a popular supporting figure in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo can fly through the skies with a flying device, and dares the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo showcases his fondness of flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a powerful addition, given its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover products have been receiving significant hate by the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be launched November 21st.