Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribal decks — what player hasn't built a goblin strategy before? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 beloved examples which align perfectly to the setting.
Returning Tribal Abilities
One first ability, called "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar set and provides buffs each time additional permanents with this subtype enter the field.
Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type which originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become power when you has additional Shrines in play.
A Return of the Ally Ability
Although Shrines have appeared here and there in newer sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets prominently used.
The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of friends on his journey to restore peace across the world, so there's no more fitting method to reflect that in a Magic expansion.
Revealed Cards Preview
Following its initial set announcement, here are previews at one Allies and one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure
This character stands as one beloved minor figure in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.
Because of his father's prowess in mechanics, he is able to glide in the air with a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying contest.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you loot whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, and additionally pumping your team via counters in the process.
Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine
Speaking of Teo's home, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you control.
The card also drains an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be a powerful addition, given its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.
A big drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.
The Welcome Collaboration
Currently while Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant criticism from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.