Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

MTG players consistently enjoy tribal tactics — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy once or twice? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back 2 beloved mechanics which align seamlessly with the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar and gives buffs each time more permanents bearing this type come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength when a player owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across newer sets, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until that ends with ATLA, in which the feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to gather many friends on his quest to restore balance to the world, so it's no better way to represent that through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the initial card announcement, below is previews of an Allies and a Shrine card from the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is a cherished minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple following his home was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies with his glider, even dares the Avatar to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion of flying and his tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, while also strengthening your team via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets are garnering significant backlash by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released November 21st.