Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

Magic: The Gathering players often adopt tribal tactics — who hasn't constructed an elf deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 well-known examples which fit perfectly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, named "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever more creatures bearing this subtype enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain power when you has more Shrines in play.

A Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across recent releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature is central.

Aang has to assemble numerous friends on the quest to bring back peace to the world, and it's no better way to represent this in an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the first card announcement, below are a look of one Allies plus one Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

Teo is one cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's skill in mechanics, Teo is able to fly through the skies using a flying device, and challenges Aang to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of the skies along with his tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing you loot whenever you attack with a flying creature, while additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

It furthermore removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

One big weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering significant backlash by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be launched November 21st.

Wendy Edwards
Wendy Edwards

A gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering online casinos and slot machines.

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