Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG fans frequently adopt tribal tactics — what player has not built a zombie deck before? — and the new ATLA crossover set is reintroducing two beloved examples which fit perfectly with the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, known as "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar set and grants boosts each time additional permanents with this type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power when a player owns additional of them in play.

A Comeback of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally across recent releases, Allies subtype was much rarer — but that changes with ATLA, where the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must assemble numerous friends during the quest to bring back balance across the world, so it's no better method to show that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After its first card reveal, below are a look of an Ally plus a Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a cherished supporting figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, he can soar in the air using a flying device, even dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces his love for the skies along with his tribe's reliance of flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, and additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Regarding his home, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains one more life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a powerful card, given the card's low mana cost and valuable ETB effect.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover products are receiving a lot of criticism from the community, an iconic series like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards will be released on Nov. 21.

Gary Grimes
Gary Grimes

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