🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans often embrace tribal strategies — who has not built a zombie deck once or twice? — and this forthcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 beloved mechanics which align seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, known as "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar set and gives bonuses whenever more creatures with the Ally type come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain power when a player controls more Shrines in play.

A Return for the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of allies on his journey to restore balance to the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to show this in an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the first card announcement, below is a look at one Allies and a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as one popular minor figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's skill with engineering, he can glide through the skies using a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents his passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

The card also removes one more life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, given the card's cheap mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

A big drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products are garnering significant backlash by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be launched November 21st.