Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces 2 Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering fans often embrace tribal tactics — what player has not assembled a goblin deck once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two beloved mechanics which fit perfectly to its setting.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
The first mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar set which grants bonuses whenever additional creatures bearing this type come onto the field.
On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities as you has more of them in play.
A Return of the Ally Mechanic
Although Shrines have shown up occasionally across newer releases, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but this changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets prominently used.
The protagonist Aang has to assemble many allies on the quest to restore peace across the world, and it's no more fitting method to show this in a Magic set.
Revealed Cards Showcase
After the first card reveal, below is a look at one Allies plus one Shrine card in the upcoming ATLA set.
Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure
Teo stands as one cherished minor figure in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.
Thanks to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo is able to soar through the skies with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.
This card Teo reproduces his fondness of flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting you draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his dwelling, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.
It furthermore removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.
It looks like an impactful card, considering the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.
A big weakness for Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.
The Timely Crossover
Currently while crossover sets are garnering a lot of backlash from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Preview period has begun, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.