Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Reintroduces 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not built an elf deck at some point? — while the new ATLA Universes Beyond set revives two well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly with the theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, known as "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar which gives buffs each time additional creatures with this subtype enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type which originated in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become strength when a player owns more of them on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up here and there in recent releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — but that ends with ATLA, in which the feature is central.

The protagonist Aang must assemble many allies during his journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and there's no better way to show that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its first card reveal, below is a look of one Ally plus one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one beloved minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's expertise with engineering, he is able to glide in the air with his glider, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love for the skies and his tribe's use on gliders through allowing you draw and discard each time you attack with a flying unit, while also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life upon entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It also drains an additional point whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a strong card, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback of Shrine decks outside of EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, but 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 Timely Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets have been receiving a lot of hate by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.