🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often adopt tribe-based strategies — who hasn't built a zombie strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 popular examples that fit seamlessly to its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Ally," first debuted in the Zendikar which grants buffs whenever more creatures with the Ally type come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments also become power as a player controls additional of them in play.

A Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until this ends with ATLA, in which this mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble numerous companions during the journey to restore balance across the world, so there's no better way to reflect this through a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its first card reveal, here are a look of one Ally and one Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character is one cherished minor figure from ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to glide in the air with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo reproduces his love for flying along with his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's cheap mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback for Shrine decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover products have been garnering a lot of hate from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be released November 21st.