Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG fans frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who hasn't constructed an elf deck once or twice? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives two beloved examples which match perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set which gives boosts each time more permanents bearing the Ally type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain strength when you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared sporadically across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but that ends in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must assemble many allies during his journey to bring back peace across the world, and it's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the first card announcement, here are a look at an Ally and one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as one cherished minor character from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill in engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo represents his fondness of the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing you loot whenever you attack with an airborne unit, and also strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, given the card's cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover sets have been receiving significant backlash from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be exactly just what MTG requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be released November 21st.