🔗 Share this article

MTG fans consistently adopt tribal decks — who hasn't constructed a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this forthcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 popular examples that fit seamlessly with its flavor.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, named "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar which gives bonuses each time more permanents with this type come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise become power when a player controls additional of them in play.

A Return of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up here and there in recent releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather many friends during the journey to restore balance across the world, and it's no better method to reflect that in an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its initial set announcement, here are previews of an Ally plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one beloved supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's expertise with engineering, he can glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack using a flying unit, while additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a strong addition, considering the card's cheap cost plus good ETB ability.

A big weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are garnering significant hate from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.