Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering players frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who has not built a goblin deck at some point? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular examples that fit perfectly with the flavor.
Reappearing Tribal Abilities
The initial ability, called "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set and grants buffs whenever additional creatures with this subtype enter the battlefield.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power when you has additional Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return of the Ally Mechanic
Although Shrines have appeared occasionally across recent sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — but that changes in ATLA, in which this feature is prominently used.
The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous companions on his journey to bring back balance to the four nations, so there's no better method to show that through a Magic expansion.
Exclusive Cards Showcase
After its initial set reveal, here is a look at an Allies plus a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA set.
Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure
This character stands as one cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.
Because of his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo is able to glide through the skies using a flying device, even dares the Avatar in an aerial race.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness for flying along with his tribe's reliance of flying machines by letting you loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, while also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.
The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine
Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.
The card also drains one more point anytime another Shrine enters the field.
It looks like an impactful card, given the card's cheap mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.
One major drawback for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but this card is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.
The Welcome Collaboration
Currently when Universes Beyond products are garnering significant criticism by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be released November 21st.