Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
MTG enthusiasts frequently adopt tribal decks — who hasn't constructed a goblin deck before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two well-known mechanics that match seamlessly to the setting.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities
One initial mechanic, named "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar which gives boosts whenever more permanents bearing this subtype come onto the battlefield.
On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type which originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become strength when you has more of them in play.
The Comeback of the Ally Ability
While Shrines have shown up occasionally across newer sets, Allies mechanic was far less common — until that ends with ATLA, where this mechanic gets prominently used.
The protagonist Aang has to gather numerous friends during the journey to bring back balance across the world, so it's no more fitting method to reflect this through an Magic set.
Exclusive Cards Preview
After the initial card reveal, here are previews of an Ally and a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure
Teo is one beloved supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.
Because of his dad's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to fly in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting you loot each time a player attacks using a flying creature, and also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life when coming into play, depending on the number of Shrines you have.
It furthermore drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
It looks like a strong card, considering the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.
One big drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.
The Timely Collaboration
Currently while Universes Beyond sets are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly just what MTG needs.
Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be released November 21st.