Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently embrace tribal strategies — who has not assembled a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing 2 popular examples that align perfectly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first ability, named "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set and grants buffs each time additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities when you has additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have appeared occasionally across newer releases, Allies mechanic was seldom seen — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets central.

Aang must recruit numerous friends on the quest to bring back peace across the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to reflect that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the initial set announcement, below are a look of one Ally plus a Shrines card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as a cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to fly in the air using a flying device, even dares Aang in a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness for the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks with a flying unit, and additionally pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon entering play, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card also removes an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine strategies outside of Commander is the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond sets are garnering a lot of hate from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.

Bruce Lynch
Bruce Lynch

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in tech innovation and data-driven marketing solutions.

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