🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering players consistently embrace tribal tactics — what player hasn't built an elf deck before? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved mechanics which match perfectly to its setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set and gives buffs each time more permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power as you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically in newer sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets heavily featured.

Aang must recruit many companions during the journey to bring back balance across the world, so it's no better way to represent this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the initial set announcement, below are previews at an Allies plus a Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

Teo stands as a beloved supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's skill with mechanics, Teo can fly in the air with a flying device, even dares Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love for flying along with his tribe's use on gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Regarding his home, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful addition, considering the card's low cost and good ETB ability.

A major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while crossover sets are receiving a lot of hate by fans, an iconic series like Avatar can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.