Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG players often enjoy tribal decks — what player has not built a goblin strategy at some point? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back two beloved examples that fit perfectly with its flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, called "Ally," was debuted in the Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever additional permanents bearing this subtype come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities when a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have been appeared here and there in recent releases, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — but this ends with ATLA, where this mechanic is central.

Aang has to gather a lot of allies during the quest to bring back peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to show this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

After the initial card announcement, below is a look at one Allies plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's skill with mechanics, he is able to soar in the air with his glider, even challenges Aang in an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love of the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing the player loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your team via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This appears to be a strong card, given its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with another Shrine, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover products are garnering a lot of backlash from the community, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.

Samantha Maynard
Samantha Maynard

Elara is a passionate writer and theologian, dedicated to exploring spiritual topics and fostering community dialogue.