Scoop: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics

MTG players frequently embrace tribal decks — who has not constructed a goblin deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA crossover set revives two popular mechanics that fit seamlessly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, known as "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set and grants bonuses each time additional permanents bearing this type come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type that originated with Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain power as you controls more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrines have shown up here and there in recent sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets central.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends on his quest to restore peace across the world, and it's no more fitting method to represent that in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the initial set announcement, below are a look of an Allies and one Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

This character stands as one beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill with mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies with his glider, and dares Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by allowing the player loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and also boosting your team with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card also drains an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap cost and good ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets have been garnering a lot of criticism from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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