Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG players frequently adopt tribal strategies — what player hasn't built an elf deck at some point? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set brings back 2 beloved examples which align seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar set and provides boosts each time more creatures with the Ally type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become power when a player owns more of them in play.

The Return of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up sporadically across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets central.

Aang has to gather many companions during his journey to bring back balance across the world, so there's no better method to show that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its initial card reveal, here are a look at one Allies plus one Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one beloved minor character from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill in engineering, Teo can soar through the skies using his glider, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love for flying along with his tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing you loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, and also boosting your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It also drains an additional point anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a strong card, given its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been garnering significant criticism by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.

Lori Reynolds
Lori Reynolds

A network engineer with over a decade of experience in designing scalable infrastructure solutions for enterprise clients.