🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribal tactics — who has not built an elf strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 well-known examples which match seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar and gives bonuses whenever additional permanents with the Ally type come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype which originated in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, Shrines also gain power when you has more of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up occasionally across newer sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but this changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to gather numerous allies during the journey to restore peace across the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the initial card reveal, here is previews of an Ally and a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: A Beloved Character

Teo is a popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill in engineering, he is able to glide in the air with his glider, even challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through letting you loot each time you attack with a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your team via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also removes an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a strong card, considering its cheap cost plus good ETB ability.

One major drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets are garnering significant criticism from the community, an iconic series like Avatar could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be released on Nov. 21.