Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG fans frequently embrace tribal decks — who has not built a goblin deck at some point? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set revives two popular mechanics that match perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, known as "Allies," was introduced with a Zendikar and provides boosts each time additional creatures bearing this subtype enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become abilities when you controls more of them on the battlefield.

A Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been appeared here and there across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been far less common — until this changes with ATLA, in which this feature gets prominently used.

Aang must gather many friends during his journey to bring back peace to the four nations, and there's no better method to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its first set announcement, below is previews at one Ally plus one Shrines card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

This character stands as one popular supporting figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies with his glider, even dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love of flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, while additionally boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore drains one more point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a powerful addition, given the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving a lot of criticism from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be precisely what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.