Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG fans frequently adopt tribe-based strategies — who has not built a goblin strategy at some point? — and the new ATLA crossover release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that align perfectly to its flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar and gives buffs each time additional permanents with the Ally type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain power as a player has more of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have appeared here and there in recent releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of allies on his journey to bring back peace to the world, so it's no more fitting way to show that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its initial set announcement, below are previews at an Ally plus a Shrines cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character stands as one cherished minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's skill in mechanics, Teo is able to fly in the air with a flying device, and dares Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's love of the skies and his tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks with a flying unit, and also strengthening your creatures via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost and good ETB effect.

A big weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while crossover sets have been receiving a lot of hate by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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