Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based tactics — what player has not assembled a goblin strategy at some point? — while the upcoming ATLA crossover release revives two popular mechanics that align seamlessly with the flavor.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One first ability, named "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar which gives bonuses each time additional permanents with the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.
Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment subtype that originated in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become power when you controls more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return for Allies Mechanic
While Shrines have been shown up sporadically in recent sets, the Ally subtype was far less common — but that changes in ATLA, where the mechanic is prominently used.
The protagonist Aang must recruit many companions during the journey to bring back peace to the world, and there's no more fitting method to represent that in an Magic: The Gathering set.
Exclusive Card Showcase
Following the first set announcement, here are a look at one Allies and a Shrine cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure
Teo is one popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's skill in mechanics, he is able to glide in the air using his glider, and dares the Avatar to an aerial race.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness for flying along with his tribe's use of flying machines by allowing the player loot whenever you attack with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of Teo's home, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you control.
The card furthermore removes an additional point anytime another Shrine enters the field.
It appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap cost and good enter the battlefield ability.
One big weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.
A Timely Collaboration
At a time while crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be released on Nov. 21.