Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently embrace tribal tactics — who hasn't built an elf deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that fit perfectly to the setting.
Reappearing Tribal Mechanics
One first ability, called "Ally," was introduced with the Zendikar set and grants bonuses whenever more creatures with the Ally subtype come onto play.
On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become power when you has more Shrines on the battlefield.
The Comeback for Allies Ability
While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally in recent sets, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but that ends in ATLA, where this mechanic is central.
Aang has to recruit numerous allies during the journey to bring back balance to the world, and it's no more fitting method to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Revealed Card Preview
After the initial set reveal, below are previews of an Allies plus a Shrines cards from the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character
Teo is a popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's expertise with mechanics, he can soar through the skies with a flying device, even dares Aang in an aerial contest.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while additionally pumping your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine
Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon coming into play, based on how many of Shrines you have.
It also drains one more life whenever another Shrine enters the field.
It appears to be an impactful addition, given the card's cheap cost plus valuable ETB effect.
A major weakness for Shrine strategies outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.
A Timely Crossover
Currently while crossover products have been receiving significant hate by the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.