Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back Two Popular Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features
MTG players often enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a goblin deck once or twice? — and this forthcoming ATLA crossover release revives 2 beloved mechanics that align seamlessly with its flavor.
Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One first mechanic, named "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar and grants bonuses whenever more permanents with this type come onto the field.
Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type which originated with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain abilities as you owns more Shrines in play.
A Return of Allies Ability
While Shrines have been appeared here and there in newer sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.
Aang has to recruit many friends on the journey to restore peace to the world, so there's no more fitting method to represent this through a Magic set.
Exclusive Cards Showcase
After its initial card announcement, here are previews of one Ally plus one Shrines card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure
This character stands as a cherished supporting character in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.
Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to a flying race.
This card Teo showcases Teo's love of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing you loot each time you attack with an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your team with counters at the same time.
Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment
Speaking of his home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.
The card furthermore drains one more point whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.
This appears to be a powerful addition, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.
A major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.
A Timely Collaboration
Currently while crossover sets are garnering a lot of hate by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar can be exactly just what MTG requires.
Preview period is already here, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.