Scoop: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics
MTG fans consistently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who hasn't assembled an elf deck before? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved examples that match seamlessly with its flavor.
Returning Tribal Mechanics
The first mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar which gives bonuses whenever more creatures bearing the Ally type enter play.
On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also become power as a player has more of them on the battlefield.
A Comeback for the Ally Mechanic
Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets prominently used.
The protagonist Aang must recruit numerous companions on the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to show that through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Exclusive Card Showcase
After the initial card announcement, below are a look at one Allies and a Shrines cards in the new ATLA release.
Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure
Teo is one beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.
Due to his father's expertise with engineering, Teo can fly through the skies with his glider, and dares the Avatar in an aerial race.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders through allowing the player loot each time you attack with an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your team with counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Regarding Teo's home, it is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you control.
The card also drains an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.
It appears to be a powerful card, given its cheap cost and valuable ETB ability.
One major weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is that these cards are always legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired with another Shrine, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.
The Welcome Crossover
Currently when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.