Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back Two Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering players frequently adopt tribal decks — who hasn't assembled a goblin deck before? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two popular examples that match seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, named "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional creatures with this subtype enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power as a player controls additional Shrines in play.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up occasionally across recent sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature is central.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble numerous friends on his quest to restore balance across the four nations, and it's no better method to show that through an Magic set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After the initial set reveal, below are a look of an Allies plus a Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, Teo is able to soar in the air with a flying device, even dares the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's passion for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, and also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, it appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life when entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful addition, given its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card can be great when paired alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been receiving significant backlash by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.

Karen Robertson
Karen Robertson

Elias is a gaming enthusiast and analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot machine strategies and industry trends.