🔗 Share this article

MTG fans consistently adopt tribal tactics — who has not assembled a zombie deck at some point? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 beloved mechanics that match perfectly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar set and provides buffs whenever more permanents with the Ally subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength as you owns more of them in play.

A Comeback of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been shown up sporadically across newer sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but that changes with ATLA, in which this mechanic gets central.

Aang has to gather numerous friends on his quest to restore peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to reflect that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Preview

After the first set announcement, here is previews of an Allies and one Shrines card from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a cherished minor figure from ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's prowess in mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies with his glider, even dares the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness for flying and his tribe's use of flying machines through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your team with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

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

It furthermore drains one more point anytime another Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful card, considering the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander are the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time while crossover products are garnering significant criticism by the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be released November 21st.