Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics
MTG fans often enjoy tribe-based decks — what player hasn't constructed a zombie deck before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set brings back 2 popular mechanics which align seamlessly with its theme.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One initial ability, named "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar and gives buffs whenever more permanents with this type enter play.
Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that originated with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become abilities as you has additional Shrines in play.
The Comeback of Allies Mechanic
Although Shrines have appeared occasionally across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until that ends in ATLA, where this mechanic is heavily featured.
Aang must recruit a lot of friends during the journey to bring back balance to the world, so it's no better way to show that through an Magic expansion.
Exclusive Card Showcase
Following the first set reveal, here are previews of an Ally and a Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure
This character stands as one beloved minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple following his home was ruined in a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's prowess with engineering, he is able to glide through the skies with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in a flying race.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying creature, while additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine
Speaking of his home, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you control.
The card also drains one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be an impactful addition, considering its cheap mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.
One big weakness for Shrine decks outside of Commander are that Shrines are always Legendary, but this card can be great when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.
A Timely Crossover
At a time when Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of backlash from the community, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Spoiler season is already here, and the full set set to be released November 21st.