Exclusive: How Magic's Avatar Expansion Revives 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features

MTG enthusiasts consistently embrace tribe-based strategies — who hasn't assembled a zombie deck before? — and the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set brings back two popular mechanics which align seamlessly with the flavor.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first ability, known as "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set and grants boosts whenever additional permanents bearing this subtype come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power as a player has additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

While Shrines have appeared occasionally across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang must gather many allies on his quest to restore balance to the four nations, so it's no better way to represent this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After the first set announcement, here is a look at an Allies and a Shrine cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a cherished supporting figure in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's skill with engineering, Teo can soar through the skies with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents Teo's passion of the skies and his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing you loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, while also pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding his home, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore removes one more point anytime another Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful card, given its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness of Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time when crossover products are receiving significant criticism from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Preview period is already here, and all cards will be launched November 21st.

Mikayla Guzman
Mikayla Guzman

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in gaming strategy and slot machine mechanics.