🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently embrace tribe-based tactics — who has not built a zombie deck at some point? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives two well-known examples which match perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One initial mechanic, named "Ally," was introduced with the Zendikar set which provides bonuses whenever more permanents with the Ally subtype enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power when you controls more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up here and there in newer sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — until that changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic is prominently used.

Aang has to recruit many allies during the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, and there's no better way to show that in a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its first set reveal, here are previews at an Allies and one Shrine card from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one cherished supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided at an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess with engineering, he is able to glide through the skies with a flying device, even challenges Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use on gliders through letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life when coming into play, based on how many of Shrines you control.

It also removes an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, given its low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently when crossover products have been garnering significant backlash by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

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