Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar Expansion Revives Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features
MTG players frequently adopt tribal decks — what player has not assembled an elf strategy before? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives two popular mechanics that fit seamlessly with the setting.
Reappearing Tribal Mechanics
One initial ability, known as "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar and grants boosts whenever more creatures bearing the Ally type come onto the field.
Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype which originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise become strength when a player controls additional of them on the battlefield.
The Comeback of Allies Ability
Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across newer sets, the Ally subtype has been much rarer — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is central.
Aang has to gather a lot of companions during the quest to restore balance across the four nations, and there's no more fitting way to show that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Revealed Card Showcase
Following its first card announcement, below are a look at one Allies plus one Shrines card in the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure
This character stands as one popular supporting character in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.
Because of his father's prowess in mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies with his glider, even dares the Avatar in an aerial race.
This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use on gliders through allowing you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your creatures with counters in the process.
The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.
It also drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
It appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.
One major drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.
A Timely Collaboration
At a time while crossover sets are garnering significant criticism by the community, a beloved series such as Avatar can be exactly what MTG requires.
Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.