Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Set Revives 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently adopt tribal decks — what player hasn't assembled an elf strategy at some point? — and the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular examples that fit perfectly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar and gives boosts each time additional creatures with this subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities as you owns additional of them in play.

The Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up sporadically across recent sets, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets central.

Aang has to gather a lot of allies during the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and there's no better way to show this through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its first card announcement, below are a look of an Allies plus one Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess in engineering, he can glide through the skies using a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love of the skies along with his tribe's reliance on gliders through letting you loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes one more life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a powerful card, considering the card's cheap mana cost plus good ETB ability.

One big drawback for Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of hate from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.

Anthony Morrison
Anthony Morrison

A seasoned gamer and strategy expert, Elara shares her passion for competitive gaming and innovative tactics to help players excel.