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

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently embrace tribe-based strategies — who hasn't constructed an elf strategy before? — and this forthcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing two beloved mechanics which fit seamlessly with the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, called "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar set which provides buffs each time more creatures with this subtype come onto the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become abilities when a player controls additional of them in play.

The Comeback of Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must assemble many friends during his journey to bring back peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After the initial set announcement, here is previews at an Ally plus a Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's expertise with engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo showcases Teo's fondness for flying along with the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through letting you loot each time you attack with a flying creature, while also strengthening your creatures with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, this is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon coming into play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever another Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a powerful card, given its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great in combination alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently while crossover products are garnering significant criticism from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.

Tiffany Tapia
Tiffany Tapia

Maya Chen is a gaming enthusiast and analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot game mechanics and player trends.