Reveal: The Way Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Mechanics

MTG players often enjoy tribal tactics — what player hasn't assembled a goblin strategy once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA crossover set revives two beloved mechanics that fit seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first debuted in the Zendikar set and grants bonuses whenever more creatures bearing this subtype come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become abilities as a player owns additional Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Ability

While Shrines have shown up occasionally across recent releases, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but this changes in ATLA, in which the feature is heavily featured.

Aang must recruit numerous friends during the quest to restore peace across the four nations, so it's no better way to represent this through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first card reveal, below are a look at one Ally plus a Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

This character is a cherished minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's expertise with mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, even challenges Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing you loot whenever you attack with an airborne unit, and also boosting your creatures with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

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

This appears to be a strong card, considering its cheap mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One big drawback for Shrine decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover sets are receiving significant hate from fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with the full set set to be launched November 21st.