Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG players frequently embrace tribal strategies — what player hasn't built a zombie strategy before? — while this new ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two beloved examples which match perfectly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar and grants bonuses each time more creatures bearing the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type which originated in Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments also become power as a player controls additional of them in play.

A Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up occasionally in recent sets, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until that ends in ATLA, where this mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather many allies on his quest to restore balance to the world, and there's no better way to show that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its initial card reveal, here is a look at an Ally plus one Shrine cards from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as one popular minor figure from ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's skill with mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies with his glider, even dares Aang in a flying race.

The card Teo reproduces his passion of the skies and his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and also pumping your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon entering play, based on how many of Shrines you have.

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

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering the card's low cost plus valuable ETB ability.

A major weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander is that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets are garnering a lot of backlash from the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.

Kristen Nelson
Kristen Nelson

Lena is a passionate gamer and strategy expert, sharing insights from years of experience in competitive gaming communities.