Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Revives 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often adopt tribal tactics — who has not assembled a goblin strategy before? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 popular examples which fit seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, called "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar set and gives boosts each time additional creatures with this type come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain strength as you has more of them in play.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared here and there in recent sets, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — but that ends in ATLA, in which this feature is prominently used.

Aang must gather numerous allies on the journey to bring back peace across the world, and there's no better way to represent that through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After its first card announcement, below are previews at one Allies and a Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who lived in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's expertise in engineering, Teo can fly through the skies with a flying device, even challenges Aang in a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also strengthening your creatures with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also drains one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a strong card, considering the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired with another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering significant backlash by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.

Jason Vega
Jason Vega

Maya Chen is a gaming industry analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine technology and regulatory affairs.

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