Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering players consistently enjoy tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't constructed a zombie deck once or twice? — and the new ATLA crossover set revives 2 beloved examples that match seamlessly with its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, called "Ally," was debuted in the Zendikar set and provides buffs whenever more permanents with this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain strength when you owns additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up here and there in newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets heavily featured.

Aang must gather numerous friends during his quest to bring back balance across the world, and there's no more fitting method to show this in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following the first set announcement, here are previews of one Ally and one Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a popular supporting character in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, Teo can glide in the air using a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness of flying and his tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you loot whenever you attack using a flying creature, while also strengthening your team with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine

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

The card also drains one more point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a powerful card, considering the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback for Shrine decks outside of Commander is the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however this card can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving a lot of criticism from the community, an iconic series such as Avatar can be precisely just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be released November 21st.