Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG players consistently adopt tribal strategies — who hasn't built a goblin strategy once or twice? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back two popular mechanics which match perfectly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The initial ability, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar set and gives buffs whenever more permanents with the Ally type enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become strength as you controls additional Shrines in play.

A Return of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared here and there in recent sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until that ends in ATLA, in which the feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many friends during his quest to bring back peace across the four nations, so there's no better way to represent that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the initial card reveal, here are previews at an Allies plus one Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo is one cherished supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's skill in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air using a flying device, and challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love of flying along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting the player draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally boosting your team with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore drains one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, considering its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond products are garnering significant backlash from fans, an iconic series like Avatar can be exactly what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.

Shannon Houston
Shannon Houston

A Berlin-based environmental advocate and wellness coach, passionate about sharing sustainable living tips and holistic health practices.