Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribal tactics — who hasn't assembled a goblin deck at some point? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover set brings back 2 beloved mechanics that align seamlessly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial ability, known as "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar set and grants boosts whenever additional creatures bearing this type come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power when a player owns additional Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have been shown up here and there in newer releases, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather many allies during the quest to restore balance to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its initial card announcement, here is previews of an Ally and a Shrine cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo is a cherished supporting character in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's skill with mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies with his glider, even dares Aang in a flying race.

This card Teo showcases Teo's love for the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, while additionally strengthening your team via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful addition, given the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant backlash from the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

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

Lori Bryan
Lori Bryan

Elara is a certified fitness coach and wellness advocate with over a decade of experience in helping individuals achieve their health goals.