🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribal tactics — who has not built an elf deck once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved examples which fit seamlessly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, named "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever more permanents with this subtype come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, Shrines also become abilities when you owns additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — but that changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic is central.

Aang has to assemble a lot of allies during his quest to restore balance to the world, so it's no more fitting way to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After its initial card reveal, below is previews of an Ally and one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo is a popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's skill with mechanics, Teo can glide in the air with his glider, even challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, while additionally strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life when coming into play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also removes one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, considering its cheap cost plus valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time when crossover sets are receiving significant hate by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released November 21st.