🔗 Share this article

MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribe-based tactics — who hasn't constructed a zombie deck at some point? — and the new ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two popular examples that fit perfectly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar set and gives buffs each time additional permanents bearing this type enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain strength when you controls more Shrines in play.

The Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in recent sets, Allies subtype was far less common — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous companions on the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, so there's no better way to represent that in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

After the first card reveal, here is a look of one Allies and one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character is one beloved supporting figure in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's prowess in mechanics, Teo can fly in the air with his glider, and dares Aang to an aerial race.

The card Teo showcases Teo's fondness of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through allowing you loot each time you attack using an airborne creature, and additionally pumping your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This appears to be a strong card, considering its cheap mana cost and good ETB effect.

One big drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time while crossover products have been garnering a lot of backlash from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what MTG needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.