Exclusive: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribal tactics — who has not assembled an elf strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back 2 beloved examples that align seamlessly to the flavor.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first ability, known as "Ally," was debuted in the Zendikar and grants buffs whenever more permanents with this type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities when you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across newer sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — until that changes in ATLA, in which the feature is prominently used.

Aang must assemble a lot of allies on the quest to restore balance to the four nations, and it's no better method to represent that through a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following the first card reveal, below is a look of an Ally and a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one beloved minor character from ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's skill in mechanics, Teo is able to glide in the air with his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for the skies along with his tribe's use of gliders by letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore drains one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.

It looks like an impactful addition, given its low cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover products are receiving significant criticism by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with all cards will be released November 21st.

Janet Khan
Janet Khan

Maya is a seasoned gaming enthusiast and writer, passionate about sharing insights on online casinos and player strategies.

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