Reveal: How Magic's Avatar Set Reintroduces 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

MTG fans often enjoy tribal tactics — who has not built a zombie strategy before? — while this new ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that fit seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, named "Ally," was introduced with the Zendikar set which grants bonuses each time more creatures bearing this subtype enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also become strength as a player owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally across recent releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must gather many companions on his quest to restore balance to the world, so it's no more fitting method to reflect that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the first set reveal, below is previews of an Allies plus a Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one beloved supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that resided in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill in engineering, he is able to soar through the skies using his glider, even challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents his fondness of the skies and his tribe's use on gliders by letting you loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, while additionally pumping your team via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be an impactful addition, given its cheap cost plus good ETB ability.

One big weakness of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover sets are garnering a lot of backlash by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.