Scoop: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
MTG players often adopt tribal strategies — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy at some point? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 beloved mechanics which fit seamlessly to the theme.
Reappearing Tribal Abilities
One first ability, known as "Ally," was introduced with the Zendikar and gives boosts each time additional permanents bearing the Ally type come onto play.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype which originated with Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become abilities as a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.
A Return of Allies Ability
While Shrines have shown up occasionally across recent releases, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — but this changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic gets prominently used.
Aang has to gather numerous friends during the journey to bring back balance across the four nations, so there's no better method to show this through an Magic expansion.
Exclusive Cards Showcase
Following its initial set announcement, here is a look at one Ally and one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character
Teo is one beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.
Thanks to his father's expertise in engineering, Teo can fly in the air using a flying device, even challenges Aang in a flying contest.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with an airborne creature, and also strengthening your creatures via counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment
Regarding Teo's dwelling, this appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.
The card also removes an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.
It looks like a strong card, considering the card's cheap mana cost and valuable ETB ability.
A big weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.
A Timely Crossover
At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of criticism by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.
Preview period has begun, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.