Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Revives 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering players frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who hasn't assembled a goblin strategy before? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release brings back two beloved mechanics that match perfectly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, named "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar set which grants boosts whenever additional permanents bearing this subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain strength when you owns more of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have been shown up here and there across recent sets, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many allies during the journey to bring back peace across the world, and there's no more fitting method to show that through an Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its first set reveal, here are a look of one Ally and a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is a cherished supporting figure in ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's expertise with mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies with his glider, even challenges the Avatar to a flying race.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love for flying and the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines by allowing you loot whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, while also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore drains an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like an impactful card, given the card's cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH is that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant backlash by the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.

Joseph Wood
Joseph Wood

A digital storyteller and lifestyle enthusiast exploring creativity and mindfulness in everyday experiences.