Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG fans consistently enjoy tribal strategies — what player has not constructed an elf strategy at some point? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back two popular mechanics that fit seamlessly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever additional creatures bearing this subtype come onto the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain abilities as you owns additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared here and there across recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — but that ends with ATLA, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of allies on the quest to bring back peace across the world, and there's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After the initial set announcement, below is a look at one Ally plus a Shrine card in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a beloved supporting figure in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's expertise with engineering, Teo is able to soar in the air with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo represents his passion for the skies and his tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing you draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, and also boosting your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life when entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be an impactful addition, considering its low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback of Shrine decks in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired with another Shrine, that drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time when crossover products are garnering a lot of hate from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.