Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't built an elf deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA crossover set revives 2 popular examples which align perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar which grants bonuses each time more permanents with this subtype come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise become abilities when a player controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up sporadically across recent sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of companions during his quest to restore peace to the four nations, and there's no better way to reflect this through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After its first set reveal, here is previews of one Ally and one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as one beloved supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, Teo can fly in the air using his glider, and dares Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo showcases Teo's passion for flying and his tribe's use on gliders by letting you loot each time a player attacks with a flying creature, and also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

It also removes one more point anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This appears to be a powerful addition, considering the card's cheap cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major drawback of Shrine decks outside of EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover products are garnering a lot of hate by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.

Nicole Martin
Nicole Martin

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino operations and player psychology, specializing in slot machine mechanics.