Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribal tactics — who has not constructed a goblin strategy before? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover release brings back two well-known mechanics which align perfectly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, called "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar and gives buffs each time additional creatures bearing this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also become strength as a player controls more of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have been shown up here and there in recent releases, Allies subtype was much rarer — but that ends in ATLA, in which the mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang must assemble many companions during the quest to bring back peace across the four nations, and there's no more fitting way to show that through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its initial set reveal, here are previews of an Ally plus a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as one popular minor character from ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived in an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's skill with mechanics, Teo is able to soar in the air using his glider, and dares the Avatar to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his passion for flying and his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne creature, and also boosting your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding his home, this is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when entering play, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore drains an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost and good ETB effect.

A big drawback of Shrine decks outside of EDH are that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond products are garnering significant hate from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.