Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Revives Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribal tactics — who hasn't built a goblin strategy at some point? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known mechanics which fit seamlessly to its theme.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The initial ability, known as "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar which provides buffs whenever more creatures with this subtype come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities as you owns additional of them in play.

A Return of Allies Ability

While Shrines have been shown up occasionally in recent sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but this changes in ATLA, where the feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many friends during the quest to restore balance to the four nations, and there's no better way to show this in an Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After the first set announcement, below are a look at one Ally plus one Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's expertise in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air with a flying device, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness of the skies and his tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

It also drains one more life anytime a Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a strong card, given its low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness of Shrine decks outside of Commander is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with the full set will be released November 21st.

Mary Wade
Mary Wade

A seasoned casino gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine mechanics and player strategies.