Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently adopt tribal tactics — what player hasn't assembled a goblin strategy before? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back 2 beloved mechanics that match perfectly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The first ability, known as "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar which provides buffs whenever additional creatures with this subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that originated in Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments also become abilities when a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically in recent releases, Allies mechanic has been far less common — until that changes with ATLA, in which this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to gather many allies on his quest to bring back balance across the world, and there's no better way to show this in an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the first card reveal, below are previews of one Ally plus one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one cherished minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's expertise with engineering, he is able to fly in the air using his glider, even challenges Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love of the skies and his tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, while additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

It also drains an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It appears to be an impactful card, given its low mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One big drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets are garnering a lot of backlash by the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with all cards will be released November 21st.