Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based decks — what player hasn't built a goblin strategy before? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 popular mechanics which fit seamlessly with its flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial ability, named "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar set and provides boosts each time additional permanents bearing this subtype enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become power as you controls more Shrines in play.

The Return for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been appeared occasionally in recent sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until this changes with ATLA, in which this mechanic gets central.

Aang must gather many allies during the journey to bring back peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to show that through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its initial set reveal, here are a look of an Allies plus a Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a popular supporting character in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's skill with engineering, Teo can glide through the skies with his glider, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's fondness of the skies along with his tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing the player loot each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore drains an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a strong addition, given the card's cheap mana cost plus good ETB effect.

One major drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time when crossover sets have been garnering a lot of hate from fans, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be launched November 21st.

Karen Schaefer
Karen Schaefer

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in esports and game development.