Scoop: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar Set Brings Back Two Popular Tribe-Focused Mechanics
MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribal strategies — who has not constructed an elf deck before? — while this upcoming ATLA crossover set revives two beloved mechanics which align perfectly to its flavor.
Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics
One initial mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar set which provides boosts each time more permanents with this subtype enter the field.
Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain strength when you owns additional of them in play.
The Comeback for the Ally Ability
While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally in newer sets, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic is prominently used.
Aang has to gather many allies on his quest to restore balance to the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to represent this in an Magic expansion.
Exclusive Card Preview
Following its first set reveal, below is a look at an Allies plus a Shrine card from the new ATLA set.
Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character
This character is a popular minor figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.
Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to glide in the air with his glider, and challenges Aang in a flying contest.
The card Teo showcases his passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use on gliders through letting you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying unit, and also boosting your creatures with counters in the process.
The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment
Regarding Teo's home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.
The card also removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.
It appears to be a strong addition, considering its low mana cost and good enter the battlefield effect.
One major weakness of Shrine decks outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.
The Welcome Collaboration
Currently when crossover sets have been garnering significant criticism by the community, an iconic series like Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.
Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.