Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG fans frequently adopt tribal strategies — what player has not assembled a zombie strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back two beloved mechanics that align seamlessly to its setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first ability, called "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set which gives bonuses each time more creatures bearing this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain abilities when a player has more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared sporadically in recent sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang has to gather a lot of companions on the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its initial card announcement, here is previews of an Ally plus a Shrine card from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one beloved minor character from ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise with engineering, Teo is able to soar through the skies with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a strong addition, given the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness of Shrine decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time when crossover products have been garnering significant backlash from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what MTG requires.

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

Vincent Marshall
Vincent Marshall

A professional gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot machine strategies and player psychology.