🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans consistently embrace tribal decks — who hasn't built a zombie deck before? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 beloved mechanics that match seamlessly to the flavor.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The initial ability, called "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar which provides buffs each time more creatures with the Ally type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise become strength when you has additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up sporadically across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — until this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic is central.

Aang has to assemble many companions on the journey to restore balance across the world, so it's no better way to represent that through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its initial card announcement, below are previews of an Ally plus one Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character is a popular minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided at an Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise with engineering, Teo can soar in the air with his glider, and challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness for flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines through letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, while also pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also drains one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, given its cheap mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

A big drawback of Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant criticism from the community, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released November 21st.