Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies โ€” who has not built a zombie strategy before? โ€” while this new ATLA Universes Beyond set brings back two well-known examples that match seamlessly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, called "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar set and gives boosts whenever more permanents with this type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype which originated in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become abilities as a player owns additional of them in play.

The Comeback of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen โ€” until that ends with ATLA, where the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble numerous companions during his quest to restore balance across the world, and it's no more fitting way to reflect that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After its first card announcement, here are a look of an Ally plus a Shrine cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise in engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion for the skies along with his tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, while also strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life when entering play, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

It furthermore removes an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful addition, considering its cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time when crossover sets are receiving a lot of hate by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be released on Nov. 21.

Amy Adams
Amy Adams

A seasoned sports analyst and betting expert with over a decade of experience in the gambling industry, specializing in football and tennis markets.