Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
MTG fans consistently enjoy tribal tactics — what player hasn't assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two popular examples which match perfectly with the flavor.
Returning Tribal Mechanics
The first mechanic, called "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar set and grants buffs each time more creatures bearing the Ally type enter play.
Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain abilities when you controls additional of them in play.
The Comeback of Allies Ability
While Shrines have been appeared here and there across newer sets, Allies subtype was far less common — until that changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets central.
Aang has to gather numerous friends on the quest to restore peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to show this in an Magic: The Gathering set.
Exclusive Cards Preview
After its first set reveal, below are previews at an Allies plus one Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character
This character is a cherished supporting character from ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom that resided in an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies using a flying device, even challenges Aang in an aerial contest.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player loot whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your creatures with counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment
Regarding Teo's home, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.
The card furthermore drains an additional life anytime a Shrine enters the field.
It appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.
One big weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.
The Welcome Crossover
Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving a lot of hate from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season has begun, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.