Exclusive: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts often adopt tribal tactics — what player has not assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 beloved examples that fit seamlessly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The first ability, called "Allies," was debuted with a Zendikar set and grants boosts whenever more permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become power as a player has additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have appeared sporadically in recent sets, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather many companions during his quest to restore peace to the world, so there's no more fitting method to show that in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the initial card announcement, here is a look of one Ally plus a Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a cherished supporting figure from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's skill in engineering, he can soar through the skies with a flying device, and dares the Avatar in a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying creature, while also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also drains one more life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback of Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are always Legendary, but this card can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.

Sharon Wang
Sharon Wang

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino technology and slot machine trends.