Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — what player hasn't built a zombie deck before? — while this new ATLA crossover set revives two popular examples that fit seamlessly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, called "Allies," was debuted with a Zendikar which grants boosts whenever more creatures bearing the Ally subtype come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become abilities as a player owns more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have shown up sporadically in newer sets, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — until this ends in ATLA, where this feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions during his quest to bring back peace to the world, so it's no better method to show that in a Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its initial set announcement, below are previews at one Allies plus a Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one beloved minor figure from ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies with his glider, even challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo showcases his fondness of the skies along with his tribe's use of flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, while also boosting your team via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

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

One big drawback of Shrine decks in formats besides EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar can be precisely what MTG needs.

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

Margaret Shepherd
Margaret Shepherd

A passionate gamer and writer with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry, sharing insights and strategies.