Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't constructed a goblin strategy once or twice? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover set revives 2 popular examples which match seamlessly with the flavor.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One initial ability, named "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar and gives bonuses each time additional creatures with this type enter the field.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type which originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain power as a player has additional Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return of the Ally Ability
While Shrines have shown up here and there in newer sets, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until that changes in ATLA, where this mechanic is central.
Aang has to gather a lot of companions on his journey to bring back balance across the world, and it's no better way to show that through an Magic expansion.
Revealed Cards Showcase
After its initial card announcement, below are previews of one Ally and one Shrines card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure
This character is one beloved supporting figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.
Thanks to his dad's skill in mechanics, Teo can fly in the air using a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.
The card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through allowing you draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, while additionally pumping your team with counters in the process.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment
Regarding his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.
It also drains an additional life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
This appears to be a strong card, considering its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.
A big drawback for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.
The Welcome Collaboration
At a time while Universes Beyond products are garnering significant criticism from the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.