🔗 Share this article

MTG fans consistently adopt tribal strategies — what player hasn't constructed an elf strategy at some point? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set revives two well-known mechanics that match perfectly to its theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, named "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar which gives boosts each time additional creatures with the Ally type enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain abilities when a player controls additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Ability

While Shrines have shown up here and there across recent sets, the Ally subtype has been much rarer — but this ends in ATLA, in which the mechanic is prominently used.

Aang must recruit a lot of allies on the journey to bring back peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

After the initial set announcement, here are previews of an Ally plus a Shrine card from the new ATLA release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one beloved minor figure in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess with mechanics, he can soar through the skies with his glider, and challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of the skies and his tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing the player loot each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, and also boosting your team with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his home, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong addition, given the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however this card is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover products have been receiving a lot of criticism from fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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