Reveal: How Magic's Avatar Set Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

MTG fans consistently embrace tribe-based decks — who has not constructed an elf deck once or twice? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back 2 popular examples that align perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar set which grants buffs each time more creatures bearing this type come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype that originated with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become strength when a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally across recent sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — until that ends in ATLA, where the feature gets heavily featured.

Aang has to gather a lot of companions on the quest to bring back balance across the world, so it's no more fitting method to represent that in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its first card reveal, here are a look of an Allies plus a Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as one beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe that resided in an Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill with engineering, Teo can soar through the skies with his glider, and challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through letting the player draw and discard each time you attack with an airborne creature, while also pumping your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, it appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful card, given the card's low cost plus good ETB ability.

One big drawback of Shrine strategies outside of Commander is that these cards are always legendary permanents, but this card can be great in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover products are receiving a lot of hate by fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.

Brian Byrd
Brian Byrd

Lena is a digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience helping businesses optimize their online presence and drive measurable results.