Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Revives 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG players consistently adopt tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed an elf strategy once or twice? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 popular mechanics which fit perfectly to the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced with the Zendikar and grants boosts whenever additional permanents with this type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities when a player has more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrines have shown up sporadically across newer sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — but that changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang must gather numerous friends on the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, so there's no better way to show that through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following the first set reveal, below are a look at an Ally plus a Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character stands as one beloved supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill with mechanics, Teo can fly in the air with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo represents Teo's love for the skies and his tribe's use on flying machines through allowing you loot each time a player attacks using an airborne creature, and also strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card also removes an additional life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a strong addition, given the card's low cost plus good ETB effect.

A big weakness for Shrine decks outside of Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving significant criticism from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG requires.

Preview period is already here, with all cards will be launched November 21st.