Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Revives Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often adopt tribe-based tactics — what player has not assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known examples which align seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, known as "Ally," first introduced with the Zendikar which gives bonuses each time additional creatures with the Ally subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become strength as you has additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have shown up occasionally across recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble a lot of allies on his quest to restore balance to the four nations, so it's no better way to show this through an Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

After the initial card announcement, below are a look at an Allies and a Shrines card from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's expertise with mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love of flying and his tribe's reliance of flying machines through letting you loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your creatures via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, this appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when entering play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also drains one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, considering its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however this card can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are garnering significant criticism from the community, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG needs.

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