Scoop: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Mechanics
MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribal tactics — who hasn't constructed a goblin deck once or twice? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set revives 2 beloved mechanics which match perfectly with its flavor.
Reappearing Tribal Abilities
The initial mechanic, named "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar which provides bonuses each time additional permanents bearing the Ally type enter the field.
Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power when you has more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic
Although Shrines have appeared occasionally in newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — but this ends with ATLA, in which the feature is central.
Aang must gather numerous allies during his quest to bring back peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to reflect this in a Magic set.
Revealed Card Showcase
After the first card announcement, below are a look at an Ally plus one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo: A Beloved Character
Teo is a popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.
Due to his dad's prowess with engineering, Teo is able to glide through the skies using a flying device, even dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.
The card Teo showcases his passion of flying along with his tribe's use on flying machines by letting the player loot whenever you attack with a flying unit, while also pumping your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine
Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.
The card also drains an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.
This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost plus good ETB ability.
A major weakness for Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.
The Welcome Crossover
At a time when crossover sets are garnering a lot of criticism by the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG requires.
Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.