🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans consistently adopt tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled a zombie strategy at some point? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set revives 2 popular mechanics that match perfectly with the theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, named "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar set which provides buffs whenever more permanents with the Ally type come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become power when you controls more of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, where this feature is central.

The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of companions during his journey to restore balance to the world, and there's no more fitting way to reflect that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its initial set reveal, here are a look at an Ally plus a Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess in mechanics, Teo is able to soar in the air with a flying device, even challenges Aang to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through allowing you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally boosting your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful addition, given its cheap cost plus valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets are garnering a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.