Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often adopt tribal decks — what player has not constructed an elf deck once or twice? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 beloved examples which match perfectly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, known as "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar set which grants buffs whenever more creatures with this type enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type which originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities when a player controls more Shrines in play.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up sporadically across recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, in which the feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to recruit numerous companions during his quest to restore balance to the world, so it's no better way to reflect this through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following its initial set reveal, below are a look of an Ally and a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character stands as one popular minor figure from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's skill in mechanics, Teo can soar in the air using his glider, and challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love for the skies along with his tribe's use on flying machines by allowing the player loot each time you attack using a flying unit, and additionally boosting your creatures via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes one more point anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a strong card, given its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander is the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of backlash from the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be precisely just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.

Dennis Fox
Dennis Fox

A financial analyst with over a decade of experience in forex and stock trading, specializing in technical analysis.