Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a zombie deck before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives two beloved mechanics which fit perfectly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar set which grants boosts whenever additional creatures bearing the Ally type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain strength when a player controls more of them on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous companions on the quest to restore peace to the four nations, and it's no better method to show that in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After its first card announcement, below are a look at an Allies and a Shrine card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as one cherished minor figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise with mechanics, Teo can glide in the air using a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion of the skies along with his tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It also drains an additional point anytime another Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be an impactful card, given the card's low mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired with another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are receiving a lot of backlash by the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.