Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG players often adopt tribe-based strategies — who hasn't built an elf deck before? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular examples that align seamlessly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One first ability, named "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar and provides bonuses each time additional creatures bearing the Ally type enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength when you owns more of them in play.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have appeared here and there across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until that ends in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends on the quest to restore balance to the world, and there's no more fitting method to show this through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After the initial set reveal, below are previews of an Ally and one Shrines card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one beloved supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's skill with engineering, he can fly in the air with his glider, and dares the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love of the skies along with his tribe's reliance of gliders by letting you loot whenever a player attacks using a flying unit, and additionally boosting your creatures via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a powerful card, given the card's low cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, but this card is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant hate by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.

Tonya Chavez MD
Tonya Chavez MD

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast, Lena shares insights and reviews to help others navigate the world of gaming.