🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribal decks — what player hasn't constructed a zombie strategy once or twice? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two well-known mechanics that match perfectly with the flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar which grants buffs each time additional creatures bearing this subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also become abilities as a player has additional Shrines in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally in newer sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, where this feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of allies during his journey to restore peace to the world, so there's no more fitting way to represent that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the initial set announcement, here is a look of an Ally and a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one popular minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's expertise with mechanics, he is able to soar in the air using his glider, and dares Aang to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love of flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you loot whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, given its cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that these cards are always Legendary, however this card is effective in combination with another Shrine, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while crossover products are garnering significant hate by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.