Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
MTG players frequently embrace tribal strategies — who hasn't built a goblin deck at some point? — and the forthcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two popular examples which match perfectly to the flavor.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One initial mechanic, called "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar set and gives boosts whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.
Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type that originated with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power when a player controls additional of them in play.
The Return of Allies Mechanic
While Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally across newer sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — but this changes in ATLA, in which the feature is central.
Aang has to gather numerous friends on the quest to restore peace across the world, and there's no more fitting method to represent that through a Magic set.
Exclusive Card Preview
Following its initial set reveal, below are previews at an Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming ATLA release.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character
This character is one beloved minor character from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.
Because of his dad's skill in mechanics, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, even dares Aang to an aerial contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his fondness of flying and his tribe's reliance of flying machines through letting you loot whenever you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally pumping your team via counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment
Regarding his dwelling, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.
It also drains one more life anytime another Shrine enters the field.
This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.
One big weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.
A Welcome Crossover
Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of hate by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what MTG needs.
Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be released November 21st.