Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering players often adopt tribal tactics — what player hasn't constructed a goblin strategy at some point? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing 2 well-known mechanics that align seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set which provides buffs each time more permanents with this subtype enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power when you has more of them on the battlefield.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally in newer releases, Allies subtype was much rarer — until this ends in ATLA, in which the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of allies on the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, so it's no better method to reflect this through a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After the initial set reveal, below is previews of an Allies and a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as one beloved minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's skill with mechanics, he can soar through the skies with a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying race.

The card Teo showcases his fondness of flying and his tribe's use on flying machines by letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack with an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a powerful addition, considering the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness for Shrine decks outside of EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets are garnering a lot of hate from fans, a beloved series like Avatar could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be launched November 21st.