Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics
MTG fans consistently adopt tribe-based decks — what player has not constructed a zombie deck once or twice? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved examples that align perfectly to its theme.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
The initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced with the Zendikar and provides boosts whenever more permanents with this subtype enter the field.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain strength as you has additional of them in play.
The Comeback of Allies Ability
While Shrines have shown up sporadically in recent releases, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — but that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is heavily featured.
Aang has to recruit a lot of allies on his quest to bring back balance to the world, so it's no more fitting method to show that through a Magic expansion.
Exclusive Cards Preview
After its initial card reveal, here are previews of an Ally plus one Shrines card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure
This character is a popular minor figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.
Thanks to his dad's prowess in mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in a flying race.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, and also pumping your team via counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when entering play, based on the number Shrine cards you have.
It furthermore removes one more point whenever another Shrine enters the field.
This looks like a powerful addition, considering the card's low cost and good ETB ability.
One major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, but this card is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.
A Welcome Crossover
At a time while crossover sets have been receiving a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be released November 21st.