Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG players often embrace tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't assembled an elf deck at some point? — while this upcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing two beloved examples that fit seamlessly with its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar which gives bonuses each time additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype which originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become power when a player has more Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally in recent sets, Allies mechanic was much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous allies during the quest to restore peace to the four nations, and there's no better way to show this through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After its first set reveal, here is previews at an Ally plus a Shrines card in the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as one popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in engineering, he is able to fly through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang to an aerial race.

This card Teo showcases Teo's fondness of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use on gliders through allowing you loot each time a player attacks using an airborne creature, while additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also removes an additional life whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful addition, given the card's low mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant backlash from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar could be exactly what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.

Ann Brown
Ann Brown

Maya Chen is a tech journalist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital transformation.