Reveal: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering players often adopt tribe-based tactics — who hasn't assembled a zombie deck at some point? — while this upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known mechanics that match seamlessly with its flavor.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One initial ability, known as "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar and gives buffs each time additional creatures with this subtype come onto the battlefield.
On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise become abilities when you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.
The Return of Allies Ability
Although Shrines have been shown up here and there in newer releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until this ends in ATLA, where this mechanic gets central.
Aang has to recruit many friends during the journey to bring back peace across the world, so there's no better way to reflect that in an Magic expansion.
Exclusive Card Preview
Following its first card reveal, here is previews at one Allies and a Shrine card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character
Teo stands as a popular supporting character in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.
Due to his dad's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to soar through the skies using a flying device, even challenges Aang in an aerial contest.
The card Teo showcases Teo's fondness of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time you attack with a flying unit, while additionally boosting your creatures with counters in the process.
The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine
Speaking of his home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you have.
The card furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
This appears to be a powerful card, considering the card's cheap cost and good enter the battlefield ability.
A major drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.
The Timely Collaboration
At a time when Universes Beyond products are garnering significant criticism from the community, a beloved series like Avatar can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Preview period is already here, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.