Exclusive: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Expansion Brings Back 2 Fan-Favorite Tribal Mechanics

MTG enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribal decks — what player has not assembled a zombie deck before? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 popular examples that fit perfectly with the setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar set which provides bonuses each time more permanents with the Ally type come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become power as a player owns additional of them in play.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have shown up sporadically in recent sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — but that ends in ATLA, where the mechanic is central.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends during the quest to restore peace across the world, and it's no more fitting way to represent this in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following its initial set reveal, below is previews of one Ally plus a Shrines cards in the new ATLA set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

This character is one popular minor character in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's prowess in mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.

The card Teo represents his love for the skies and his tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying creature, and additionally boosting your team with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, it appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life when coming into play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also removes one more point whenever another Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a powerful card, given the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are that these cards are always Legendary, however this card can be effective in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets have been garnering significant backlash by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.