Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
MTG enthusiasts consistently embrace tribal decks — who hasn't built a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 beloved mechanics which match seamlessly with its flavor.
Reappearing Tribal Mechanics
One initial mechanic, known as "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar set which grants buffs whenever additional permanents bearing this type come onto the battlefield.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength when you controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return for the Ally Ability
While Shrines have been appeared sporadically in newer releases, Allies subtype has been far less common — until that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets prominently used.
Aang must recruit many companions during his journey to restore balance to the four nations, and there's no better method to represent that through a Magic expansion.
Exclusive Card Preview
Following its initial set announcement, here are previews at an Ally and one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character
This character is a popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.
Due to his dad's skill in mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.
The card Teo showcases his fondness for the skies and his tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using a flying unit, while also strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine
Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.
It also drains an additional point anytime another Shrine enters the field.
It appears to be an impactful addition, considering its low cost plus good ETB ability.
A big drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.
A Welcome Collaboration
Currently when crossover sets are garnering a lot of hate by fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG needs.
Preview period has begun, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.