Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based strategies — who hasn't built a goblin strategy at some point? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives 2 beloved examples that match seamlessly with its setting.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One initial mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar and provides boosts whenever more permanents bearing the Ally type come onto the battlefield.
On the other hand, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that originated with Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain power as a player has more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Comeback of Allies Mechanic
Although Shrine cards have shown up here and there across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until this ends in ATLA, where this feature is heavily featured.
The protagonist Aang must recruit many allies during his journey to restore balance to the world, so there's no better way to reflect that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Exclusive Cards Preview
After the first card reveal, here is a look of one Ally plus one Shrine cards in the upcoming ATLA release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character
Teo stands as one popular minor figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided in an Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.
Because of his father's prowess with engineering, he is able to soar in the air with a flying device, even challenges Aang in a flying race.
This card Teo represents his fondness for flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player loot whenever you attack with a flying unit, while additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine
Regarding his home, it is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life when coming into play, based on how many of Shrines you have.
It furthermore removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
It appears to be a powerful card, given the card's cheap cost and valuable ETB effect.
One big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.
A Welcome Collaboration
At a time while crossover products are garnering significant backlash by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season has begun, and the full set set to be released November 21st.