Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG players frequently enjoy tribal strategies — who hasn't constructed a goblin strategy at some point? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 beloved mechanics that fit seamlessly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar set which gives boosts each time additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype that originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain power when you owns more of them on the battlefield.

A Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across newer releases, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but that ends with ATLA, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must gather many allies during the journey to bring back balance to the four nations, and there's no better way to show this in an Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its initial set reveal, here are a look of an Allies and a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess in engineering, he can soar in the air with his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's fondness of flying along with his tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, while also strengthening your team with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also removes one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a strong card, considering the card's low mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering significant backlash from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards set to be released November 21st.

Kimberly Smith
Kimberly Smith

A technology strategist with over a decade of experience in IT consulting and digital transformation projects across Europe and Asia.