🔗 Share this article Reveal: How Magic: The Gathering's Avatar: The Last Airbender Expansion Reintroduces 2 Popular Tribal Mechanics MTG enthusiasts frequently adopt tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't constructed a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives 2 well-known mechanics which fit perfectly with its flavor. Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics One first ability, called "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar and gives boosts each time more creatures bearing this type come onto the battlefield. Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain strength when a player has additional of them on the battlefield. The Return of the Ally Mechanic Although Shrine cards have been shown up here and there in newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — until that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is heavily featured. Aang has to recruit a lot of allies during his quest to restore balance to the world, and it's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering expansion. Revealed Cards Showcase Following its initial card reveal, below is a look at one Ally plus a Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set. Teo: A Beloved Character Teo is a beloved minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk. Because of his dad's expertise in engineering, Teo can glide through the skies with his glider, even dares Aang to a flying contest. This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for flying and his tribe's use on gliders through allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time. The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Regarding Teo's home, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life when coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you control. The card also drains one more life whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield. It looks like a powerful addition, given its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect. One major weakness of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase. The Timely Crossover Currently when crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs. Preview period has begun, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.