Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG fans frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who has not built an elf deck at some point? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back two beloved examples which fit seamlessly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One initial mechanic, known as "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar set which grants buffs whenever more permanents bearing this subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment subtype that originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become abilities when you owns more of them in play.

A Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across newer releases, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but that changes in ATLA, where the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to gather numerous friends during his quest to restore peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to reflect that through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After the first set announcement, here are previews at an Ally plus one Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character stands as a popular minor figure in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's skill in engineering, he can glide through the skies using a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness of the skies and his tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying unit, while additionally pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when entering play, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore drains an additional life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful addition, given its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

One major weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover products have been receiving significant hate by fans, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be released November 21st.