Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG fans often adopt tribal strategies — what player has not assembled a goblin strategy once or twice? — while this upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives 2 well-known examples that fit seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar set which gives bonuses whenever additional creatures bearing this subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength when you owns additional Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared occasionally in recent releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but that ends in ATLA, in which this feature is heavily featured.

Aang must recruit many allies during the quest to bring back balance across the world, so there's no better method to represent that in an Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the first set announcement, below is a look of one Allies plus a Shrines cards in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

Teo is a popular minor character from ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill in mechanics, he can glide in the air using a flying device, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

The card Teo reproduces his passion for flying and his tribe's use on gliders through letting the player loot whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, and also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes one more point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, given the card's cheap cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card can be effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time when crossover products are receiving a lot of criticism by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be launched November 21st.

Gabrielle Nunez
Gabrielle Nunez

A passionate esports coach and content creator with over a decade of experience in competitive gaming and player development.