Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

MTG players often enjoy tribal strategies — who hasn't constructed an elf deck before? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 beloved examples that match seamlessly to its flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar and provides boosts each time more permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become abilities as a player owns additional of them in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally in newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions on the journey to bring back balance to the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to show that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the initial card reveal, below is a look at one Ally and a Shrines card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as one cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided at an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's skill with engineering, Teo can glide through the skies with his glider, and dares the Avatar in an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces his fondness of the skies and his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player loot each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while also strengthening your team via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

It also removes an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful card, considering its cheap mana cost plus good ETB ability.

A major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of backlash from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.