Reveal: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features
MTG enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribal strategies — who hasn't assembled an elf deck once or twice? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics which align seamlessly with its theme.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One first ability, called "Ally," first debuted in the Zendikar set and gives bonuses each time more creatures with the Ally subtype enter the field.
Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become power when you has more Shrines in play.
The Return for the Ally Mechanic
While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across newer sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until that changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic is central.
Aang must assemble numerous friends during his journey to restore peace to the world, and it's no better method to represent that through a Magic set.
Revealed Cards Preview
Following the initial card reveal, here are previews of an Ally and a Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure
This character stands as a cherished minor figure from ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.
Thanks to his dad's skill in mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies using his glider, and dares Aang to an aerial race.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion for flying along with his tribe's use of gliders through letting you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying unit, while additionally strengthening your team via counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine
Speaking of his home, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.
The card furthermore removes one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
This looks like a powerful card, given its low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.
One big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, however this card is great when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.
The Timely Collaboration
Currently when crossover sets are garnering a lot of criticism from fans, a beloved series like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Preview period is already here, and all cards will be released November 21st.