🔗 Share this article

MTG enthusiasts often adopt tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives two popular mechanics that align seamlessly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The initial ability, known as "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar which provides buffs each time more creatures with the Ally subtype come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain strength as a player has additional Shrines in play.

The Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared here and there across recent releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — until this ends in ATLA, where the feature is central.

Aang has to recruit numerous companions during his quest to restore balance to the world, so it's no better way to reflect this through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following its initial set announcement, below is a look at one Allies plus a Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as a popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo can fly in the air with his glider, even dares Aang in a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing you draw and discard whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, and also strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It also drains an additional life anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.