Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG fans frequently embrace tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't built a zombie deck before? — and this upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives two popular examples which match seamlessly with the theme.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The first ability, called "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar and gives bonuses whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type which first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength when a player controls additional Shrines in play.

A Comeback of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared occasionally across newer releases, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of friends on his journey to restore balance across the world, and there's no more fitting method to show this in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first card announcement, here are a look of an Ally plus one Shrine cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one cherished supporting character from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's expertise with engineering, he is able to soar through the skies using a flying device, even challenges Aang to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness of flying along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines through letting the player loot whenever you attack with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when entering play, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more point anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It appears to be an impactful card, considering the card's cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness for Shrine decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card is effective in combination with another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant backlash by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG requires.

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