🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently embrace tribal tactics — what player hasn't built an elf deck at some point? — while this upcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two popular examples which align seamlessly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, known as "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar and grants boosts whenever additional permanents with the Ally type enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become power when you controls additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally across recent sets, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous allies during the quest to bring back peace to the four nations, and there's no better way to show that in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following its initial card announcement, here is a look at one Allies and a Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

Teo is a popular minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to glide in the air using a flying device, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's passion for the skies and his tribe's use of flying machines by letting the player loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also pumping your team via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a strong card, given its cheap cost and valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback for Shrine decks outside of EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets have been receiving significant criticism from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be launched November 21st.